Conference Session

Energy Curriculum Advancements

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

David Zietlow, Bradley University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

courses in heat transfer and optimization as well as air conditioning and refrigerationdesign courses. However, any textbook problem can be adapted to accommodate the deductivestrategy by removing the specified inputs for the problem. Page 11.389.2Literature ReviewThe McMaster Problem Solving Program (Woods, et. al., 4/97)1 found the most effective way toteach problem solving skills to students is to use a workshop approach. The key components tothe workshop are an introduction, pre-test, application, and immediate feedback. Students arethen asked to reflect on what they learned in a journal. In the McMaster program they had fourdifferent

Conference Session

Energy Curriculum Advancements

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Craig Somerton, Michigan State University; Andre Benard, Michigan State University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

alternative energy discipline, it became clear that the best strategywould be to cover many alternative energy sources. Furthermore, it was decided to broaden thenotion of alternative energy so as to only exclude energy systems based on coal or petroleum.With this background, the following definition of alterative energy was developed: Alternative energy is an energy that is not currently being fully utilized by human beings, but may replace conventional energy sources.At this point in time a proposal was developed for consideration by the mechanical engineeringundergraduate curriculum committee. It is provided as Attachment 1 and includes a coursedescription, course goals, and detailed course learning

Conference Session

Energy Laboratory Development

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Henry Foust, Nicholls State University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

mechatronics and its role in this research? Mechatronics is theapplication of electrical and computer principles to mechanical systems [1]. Oneexample is the application of sensor, actuator, and micro-controllers to automotiveengines. Mechatronics can be used in alternative energy conversions in respect tosensor selection, actuators, control methods, and the implementation of optimizationschemes where a system approach develops the dynamic models and constraints onthe optimization. Another component of the research is that the mechatronics laboratory worksin conjunction with a material science laboratory for a summer undergraduate re-search experience. The governing idea is to take the students through the processof writing a publishable research

Conference Session

Energy Resources, Efficiency, and Conservation

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

William Riddell, Rowan University; Peter Mark Jansson; Kevin Dahm, Rowan University; Harriett Benavidez, Rowan University; Julie Haynes, Rowan University; Dan Schowalter, Rowan University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

goals.IntroductionEngineering Clinics are a hallmark of the Rowan University College of Engineering.1-2Each semester, Engineering students take a project-based clinic class that is developedthrough applications drawn from various engineering disciplines and industry. Thepurpose of the clinic courses is to prepare students for engineering practice in ways thattraditional blackboard and textbook classes cannot. Solving open-ended problems,multidisciplinary teamwork and communication skills, as well as professionalism andethics are emphasized throughout the clinics. As students progress throughout the Rowancurriculum, the clinic projects become decidedly more “real-world.”The main goals of the Sophomore Engineering clinics are to develop communication anddesign skills

Conference Session

Energy Laboratory Development

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

John Reisel, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; Kevin Renken, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

Page 11.475.2course, Fluid Mechanics Laboratory (ME 323), so that additional time could be spent on theexperimental aspects of Fluid Mechanics. The Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer coursesremained without any significant experimental component. While a primarily lecture-basedinstruction is sufficient for the education of some students, it has been found that many studentsprefer learning through a hands-on or visual approach.1-3The authors wanted to bring an experimental component into the Thermodynamics and HeatTransfer courses in order to shore up this potential weakness. It was noted that many studentsstruggled with understanding the basic concepts of the courses when they are only presented inan abstract fashion through lectures without any

Conference Session

Trends in Energy Conversion and Conservation

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ryan Healey, Northeastern University; Francis Di Bella, Northeastern University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

depletion. Fuel costs of $3.00 per gallon ormore may soon be the norm and not the temporary consequences of nature; the cost ofpetroleum in Europe is already over $4.00 per gallon.A United Nations Committee on Third World developing nations has determined that amajor requirement but also a major obstacle for developing nations, is the need for moreefficient and innovative energy and power generation and delivery.1 It is clear that the1 United Nations report on the 2001 Millennium Project (http://millennium-project.org) found that the Page 11.37.2leading response to the question: “What challenges can science pursue whose resolution

Conference Session

Energy Curriculum Advancements

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Stephen Williams, Milwaukee School of Engineering

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

connect to a comprehensible devicethat is practically applied in interesting new consumer products.Brushless DC Motor KitFigures 1 and 2 show an unassembled kit and an assembled Brushless DC Motor. Experiencewith 62 students building their kits showed that 100% were successful in making their motoroperate. The kit is relatively straightforward to assemble. It is based on a low-cost designoriginally developed by Stan Pozmantir8 which uses simple switching controlled by various rotor Page 11.291.3position sensors. The parts kit includes all of the parts listed in Table 1.Figure 1 – Unassembled brushless DC motor kit

Conference Session

Energy Learning through Simulation and Analysis

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ilya Grinberg, Buffalo State College; Herbert L. Hess P.E., University of Idaho in Moscow; Frank Pietryga, University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

technology students closer in terms of learning both aspects of this importanttechnique.In this paper, an assessment of learning is reported where these classes of load flow tools areused in laboratories for engineering instruction and for engineering technology instruction.Methodologies are presented for teaching load flow from both perspectives: from a basicprogramming perspective and from a holistic perspective using a high level software simulationpackage. The results are assessed and recommendations for improvement are presented.Programming perspectiveA five-bus electric power system presents a significant programming problem without becomeexcessively burdensome. In the work at hand, the power system diagrammed in Figure 1 waspresented to

Conference Session

Energy Learning through Simulation and Analysis

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Robert McMasters, Virginia Military Institute; Michael Sexton, Virginia Military Institute

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

run in a Windowsenvironment. The DOS program “verif.exe” uses a very efficient calculation method called“time partitioning” [1] which allows temperature solutions to be computed very quickly. Thismethod involves the sum of two solutions for computing temperature. A “long time” solutioninvolving eigenvalues and series terms is added to a “short time” solution, which arises from the Page 11.809.2Laplace transform or semi-infinite approximation. This method usually allows convergence ofthe series solution with only a few terms, giving accuracies of 8 significant digits or more.Typical solutions of steady state conduction of infinite series form

Conference Session

Design Projects in Wind and Solar Energy

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Billy Hill, Rowan University; Ryan McDevitt, Rowan University; Peter Mark Jansson

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

during periods of more severeweather in the area. This work was continued until only about six inches of the anchor remainedabove ground, finally placing the anchor approximately 4.5 feet into the ground. Four of theseanchors were installed forming the shape of a diamond around the base of the tower. A diagramof one of these anchors is shown below as Figure 1. Figure 1: Diagram of anchor completely screwed into the groundThe next step was to assemble the base plate of the tower this was done by simply bolting thetwo sides to the bottom portion of the base plate. Once assembled, the long foot of the base platewas driven into the ground and the grounding rod was also driven through the base plate into theground, this is to prevent

Conference Session

Design Projects in Wind and Solar Energy

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Steven Hazel, Rowan University; Peter Mark Jansson

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

relationship linking the twois based on your location and on the time of year. This angle will change as the Sun passesthrough its equinox from solstice to solstice. The variation from June to December is +/-23.45°from equinox (see figure 1). During equinox, if a PV panel is tilted at your local area’s latitudethe sunlight will be normal to the module and strike the collector perpendicular to its face (seefigure 2). This scenario will not hold for the rest of the year, nevertheless, it provides the optimalangle for daily average throughout the year. However, this does not factor in climate. Forexample, with NJ latitude of 40° one would assume that this would be the best angle for apotential system. In actuality, NJ receives more cloud cover during the

Conference Session

Energy Laboratory Development

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Patrick Tebbe, Minnesota State University-Mankato

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

apparatus under study (Figure 1) was designed and manufactured in 2003 aspart of an ASHRAE funded Senior Design Project. The system uses a typical vapor compression Page 11.461.2cycle with R-134a as the refrigerant. For the compressor, a Seltec TM-08 unit was used. Thiscompressor is commonly used in automotive applications. It is powered by a 3 hp three-phaseelectric motor that is operated by a frequency controller. Trunion bearings support the motor,which is connected to a load cell for measuring the torque applied to the compressor. Heatrejection is accomplished through a coaxial condenser manufactured by Edwards Engineering.Cold water from the

Conference Session

Energy Resources, Efficiency, and Conservation

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mark Schumack, University of Detroit Mercy

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

in my energy systems class, a technical elective taken by mechanical engineering students.The course is basically an applied thermodynamics class, covering conventional andunconventional power and refrigeration systems. Over the course of two class periods, I derivedthe equation resulting in the “Hubbert curve,” and then had students use it to model theproduction rates of various fossil fuels, predicting the years of peak production rate anddepletion.The exponential modelThe exponential model assumes that the instantaneous rate of production is proportional to thecumulative production, Q: dQ ? aQ (1

Conference Session

Energy Laboratory Development

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Philip Gerhart, University of Evansville; Andrew Gerhart, Lawrence Technological University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

(hereinafter called the “RC”), is a tabletop steam-electric power plant that looks andbehaves similarly to a real steam turbine power plant (see Figure 1). It also has the advantage ofrelatively low-cost. About the size of an office desk, the plant contains three of the four majorcomponents of a modern, full-scale, fossil fuel fired electric generating station: boiler, turbine,and condenser. Using only propane and water, the plant will actually generate electricity. Notethat the RC does not operate in a true cycle (there is no pump); it is a once-through unit (seeFigure 2). Nonetheless, many of the key issues regarding steam power generation are illustratedby the device.The RC is outfitted with sensors to measure key properties. The data is displayed

Conference Session

Energy Curriculum Advancements

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

David Blekhman, Grand Valley State University; Ali Mohammadzadeh, Grand Valley State University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

which directly converts chemical energy into electrical power.Continuous operation as long as fuel is supplied could also be added to the definition with a fewexceptions to distinguish from batteries. This definition nicely contrasts to combustion whichemploys the following path to electricity: chemical energy›heat›mechanicalwork›conversion to power. The main component of a fuel cell is its membrane/electrolytecombination. The electrolyte defines the ion used in the reaction, appropriate operatingtemperatures, choice of catalyst, and the name of the fuel cell. The operating temperature alsodefines if internal fuel reforming can be adapted. A summary of these properties can be found inTable A-1. Everything else is built around these

Conference Session

Trends in Energy Conversion and Conservation

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Radian Belu, Wayne State University; Alexandru Belu, Wayne State University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

degree in Software Engineering from The University of Wastern Ontario, London, Canada. His research interests include software enegineering, web design, and computer algebra systems. Page 11.462.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2006 Development of a Web-Based Learning and Instruction Support System for Renewable Energy Sources/Hybrid Power Systems Courses.1. Introduction:This paper details the ongoing effort focused on the development and implementation of aWeb-based learning and instructional support system and materials for a sequence of twocourses in the newly

Conference Session

Energy Curriculum Advancements

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Glenn Ellis, Smith College; Sarah Wodin-Schwartz, Smith College; Israel Koren, University of Massachusetts-Amherst; Baaba Andam, Smith College; C. Mani Krishna, University of Massachusetts-Amherst; C. Andras Moritz, University of Massachusetts-Amherst

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

) provides an introduction to computerarchitecture and hardware design with an emphasis on computer design techniques from ahardware perspective. The class is taken at the sophomore level: it consisted of 122 students (4women).The Computer Architecture class (ECE 568/668) offered at UMass is designed for juniors,seniors, and graduate students and includes advanced material about the structure of digitalcomputers. Topics include: the organization of sub-systems such as the memory and I/O; theinterplay between hardware and software in a computer system; the von Neumann architectureand its modern competitors. The class enrollment was 46 students (7 women, 19 undergraduates)for Fall 2004 and 32 students (5 women, 13 undergraduates) for Fall 2005.Table 1

Conference Session

Design Projects in Wind and Solar Energy

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Alvin Post, Arizona State University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

Winston type are needed, but even the best flat platecollectors may not perform well in cold environments. A typical heating curve for waterin a crude flat plate collector is shown in Figure 1. The time constant can easily be 10-15minutes. Heating cycle time can be excessive when the maximum temperature thecollector reaches is barely above the boiling point, and most simple collectors fall in thiscategory. Page 11.1353.2Figure 1: A typical heating curve for a simple flat plate solar collector.Alternative working fluids such as refrigerants, ether, or other organic fluids with lowboiling points1 have been used in solar thermal pumps to ameliorate this

Conference Session

Trends in Energy Conversion and Conservation

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Giri Venkataramanan, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Annette Muetze, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

evident that in the absence of a laboratory – real-world experience thelearning cycle is plainly incomplete.The ‘cone’ of learning shown in Fig. 1 illustrates the effectiveness of various domains ofexperience from a pedagogic point of view11. The activities at the bottom of the cone are said toprovide learning opportunities with higher motivational and retention levels compared to thosethat are at the top. The limited effectiveness of the ‘top heavy’ classical teaching styles withthree weekly lectures supplemented with textbook reading may be readily observed from thefigure. Course activities that are authentic, with an emphasis on real-world inspired and student-directed laboratory projects provide the best learning opportunity possible within

Conference Session

Design Projects in Wind and Solar Energy

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Recayi 'Reg' Pecen; Francis Praska, University of Northern Iowa; Ashraf Al-Qassab, University of Northern Iowa

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

-scale, axial flux wind turbine-generator. Anaxial wind turbine is easy to build, fun to learn and cost effective system designed using inalmost any windy location in the world. Two students at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI)enrolled in a Bachelors of Science in the Electrical and Information Engineering Technology(EIET) major, have spent many hours researching various wind turbines. The subject matterpresented in this paper are (1) design and build a cost effective 0.5 kW wind turbine capable ofproducing 12-48 V direct current (DC), (2) build two wind turbines with different configurations,(3) build a traveling display that can be taken to remote locations and educate anyone withquestions, and (4) experiment with variable loads and blade

Conference Session

Energy Resources, Efficiency, and Conservation

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Sarma Pisupati, Pennsylvania State University; Wendy Mahen, PennSylvania State University; Mark Deluca, Pennsylvania State University; Martin Gutowski, Pennsylvania State University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

usefulness of differentteaching and learning strategies. The strategies used for online class are 1) variation ininstructional strategies, 2) visual reinforcements of students' attention and reinforce theirlearning, and 3) opportunities for students to provide personal insights andinterpretations. This paper also discusses the student feedback and analysis of learningstrategies used.Introduction:In the fall of 2001, the Department of Energy and Geo-Environmental Engineeringinitiated a drive to educate more students from other departments in Energy relatedsubjects. A 3-credit general education course on “Energy Conservation andEnvironmental Protection” (EGEE 102) was developed and offered primarily for non-science/engineering students. Energy is a

Conference Session

Energy Learning through Simulation and Analysis

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

David McDonald, Lake Superior State University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

plotting.Examples of SimPowerSystemsSimPowerSystems is a comprehensive software tool with an extensive assortment of devicemodels. The following simple examples do not illustrate the capability of the software, but havebeen selected to illustrate that simple activities can be included in introductory classes.Example 1: Simulink Model vs. SimPowerSystems ModelSimulink is a block diagram programming environment where the blocks represent a state-spacemodel, and are organized as a transfer function. The top portion of the diagram in Figure 1shows a traditional Simulink model of an R-C circuit that uses a transfer function of the circuit.The bottom portion of the diagram in Figure 1 represents a physical model using componentsfrom the library of

Conference Session

Design Projects in Wind and Solar Energy

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Samuel Lakeou, University of the District of Columbia; Esther Ososanya, University of the District of Columbia; Ben Latigo, University of the District of Columbia; George Karanja, University of the District of Columbia; Wagdy Mahmoud, University of the District of Columbia; Wilfried Oshumare, University of the District of Columbia

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

system’s position soas to collect maximum solar radiation. The gear motor controller module is built with state-of-the-art, low-cost digital logic circuit with built-in flexibility to accommodate seasonal positionadjustments of the PV mounts. The design includes a computer remote access for monitoring thepower generation of the system. The system is configured for an insolation (solar radiation)condition specific to the location of the system at the University of the District of Columbia inWashington, DC, but could be easily configured for any other location.II. BackgroundAs depicted in Figure 1, the position of the sun with respect to that of the earth changes in acyclic manner during the course of a calendar year. Tracking the position of the

Conference Session

Trends in Energy Conversion and Conservation

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Saeed Monemi, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

. Some of theseconcerns are: 1) Not enough practical hands-on software tools are introduced to the students; and 2) How do we teach our students to model the power distribution network grid system; and 3) How to design and simulate the power distribution network system; and 4) How do we provide as set of decision support tools; and 5) Learn how to better use these software tools so that for example you can affordably and effectively manage outages in the energy distribution networks, given decreasing resources; and 6) Learn how to cost-effectively integrate existing information systems so that they work collectively to support business activities such as diagnosis

Conference Session

Energy Learning through Simulation and Analysis

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Timothy Skvarenina, Purdue University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

Technology AccreditationCommission (TAC) of ABET have both moved to outcomes-based accreditation of engineeringand technology programs, via EC 2000 and TC2K, respectively. Both EC 2000 and TC2Krequire that every accredited program develop a set of program outcomes, which must insure thatstudents have demonstrated the achievement of eleven outcomes, the so-called “a” to “k” lists.Table 1 shows a listing of the “a” to “k” outcomes for EC 2000 and TC2K.1, 2 With the changefrom previous accreditation criteria, ABET has gone away from the so-called “bean counting”that required certain numbers of credit hours in various categories, such as mathematics,sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Instead each program must evaluate and assess itscurriculum on

Conference Session

Energy Resources, Efficiency, and Conservation

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jeri-Anne McKeon

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

potential savings, economic rate of return, reliability, and easeof accomplishment. See Figure 1. Page 11.939.4 3Figure 1A separate “Economics” sidebar for each Measure estimates the potential savings, the cost, andthe payback period. A “Traps & Tricks” sidebar provides practical field experience for theaspiring engineer about the pitfalls of each activity and advises how to stay out of trouble. Page 11.939.5 4The second part of the book, called Reference