Conference Session

Alternative Energy Source Projects

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mark Henderson, Arizona State University; Bradley Rogers, Arizona State University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

been initiated at Biemso provided a testbed for the development of such a model. TheASU team and KNUST faculty and students involved in the project visited the village of Biemso,met with the Chief who had donated the necessary land, and visited the Jatropha fields, whichwere just being readied for planting. The seedlings are shown below in figure 1. Figure 1. Jatropha Acreage near BiemsoUpon returning to the United States, the team contacted the ASU Barrett Honors College to seeksupport for the project, and the student team was assembled. Honors College students arerequired to produce an undergraduate thesis that demonstrates a meaningful advancement ofknowledge in the students chosen field. In this case, the

Conference Session

Learning about Electric Energy Conversion

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Robert O'Connell; Michael Moore; Kevin Zimmershied

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

Conference Session

Solar Power, Wind Power, and Energy System Initiatives

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Michael Swedish, Milwaukee School of Engineering

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

project is intended to be a comprehensive study. The coursefocus is unambiguously design. Analysis is used as a tool in the design process. The course goals and objectives are provided in written form to the students at thebeginning of the course. They consist of the following: Goals: 1. To utilize the tools of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer to create a conceptual energy systems design for an existing structure, or for a proposed structure or development 2. To generate a report that can be of value to developers, planners, or other interested parties. The objective of the course is to give the students experience in the

Conference Session

Computer Applications in Energy Courses

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Peter Idowu, Pennsylvania State University-Harrisburg

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

AC 2008-1445: INTERACTIVE ENERGY COURSEWAREPeter Idowu, Pennsylvania State University-Harrisburg Page 13.780.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2008 Interactive Energy CoursewareAbstractInnovative methods for teaching engineering concepts are receiving broader attention in avariety of contexts. This is in keeping with the perception that improvements is contentdelivery tools and techniques would further sustain students’ interests in the varioustopics, as well as enhance comprehension or understanding of difficult topics. This paperpresents four interactive learning tools that were developed by students in the energysystems and conversion course – (1

Conference Session

Investigating Fuel Cells and Alternative Fuels in the Classroom and Lab

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Cortney Martin, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Brandy Bratton, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; David Dillard, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Michael Ellis, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Maggie Bump, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

foreign oil. Two videos were shown, Earth’s Clean EnergyDestiny (2000) and The Hydrogen Age (2005). The history of the fuel cell was explored to leadinto the next activity. A hands-on fuel cell laboratory experience enabled the students to morefully engage with and appreciate the processes as they used solar energy to hydrolyze waterwhich then powered small circuits (Figure 1). Figure 1. Hands-on learning with fuel cells.Six fuel cell seminar/discussion programs were offered featuring speakers from outside industryas well as from within the university. The seminars included entrepreneurial, scientific, andglobal energy perspectives to broaden their understanding of contemporary fuel cell and energyresearch needs.Three

Conference Session

Curricular Developments in Energy Education

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Kenneth Van Treuren, Baylor University; Ian Gravagne, Baylor University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

Mayborn Museum provides an outstanding venue tostage the results.Construction of the Wind and Solar Exhibits for the Mayborn MuseumThe wind and solar exhibits for the museum were constructed as part of the senior capstonedesign class. “Senior Engineering Design II” is divided into sections of between 10 and 30engineers of all disciplines. Each section is organized into a “company,” with a project manager,departments and department heads, a budget and a project client. In this case, the Museum servedas the client. The company was tasked to design and install, if possible, (1) a 1.1 kW (peak)photovoltaic (PV) array on the Museum roof, including a mounting structure to withstand 80mphstraight-line winds, (2) a mounting structure for a small

Conference Session

Investigating Fuel Cells and Alternative Fuels in the Classroom and Lab

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Robert Fletcher, Lawrence Technological University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

obtained from the student participants (bywritten survey), as well as from participating faculty that augment the understanding and valueof such work to both student and institution are provided and reviewed. Some members of thestudent research team have since graduated and are now working as engineers in industry, andtheir perspectives on the value of participating in such undergraduate research are included in theassessments. The results of this effort at LTU strongly support the value and benefits of utilizingundergraduate engineering students in our university’s research program.1. Introduction and BackgroundLawrence Technological University is a private, fully accredited university located in Southfield,Michigan. LTU has nearly 5,000 students

Conference Session

Investigating Fuel Cells and Alternative Fuels in the Classroom and Lab

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Robert Pieri, North Dakota State University; Alan Kallmeyer, NDSU; Michael Stewart, North Dakota State University; Leslie Backer, North Dakota State University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

comparable tractors on their own farms. As a result thecooperative decided to set aside a moderate amount of funding for exploratory activity with localcommercial or educational institutions.The ResourcesOnce the electric cooperative decided to press ahead withthe conversion of a diesel powered tractor, theycontacted local tractor suppliers. As a result of thosetalks the local Caterpillar dealer entered into anagreement with the co-op to lease a moderately sizedrow-crop wheeled tractor. The tractor used was a 2004MT525B Caterpillar Challenger wheeled row cropmodel. This tractor has a 5.98 liter displacement Perkinsin line 6 cylinder diesel engine rated at173 brake hp. It isturbocharged with an air to air after-cooler, see Fig 1.Although part of the

Conference Session

Curricular Developments in Energy Education

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Sarma Pisupati, Pennsylvania State University; Yaw Yeboah, Pennsylvania State University, University Park

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

population and energy consumption both continue to grow significantly. Also, dueto global uncertainties, energy is becoming increasingly important. The United States, forexample, increasingly relies on imported energy (32.9 % in 2006)1. Projections from DOE’sAnnual Energy Outlook indicate that primary energy use in the United States will climb to 134Quadrillion Btu in 2030 from 98 in 20002. Despite increases in electricity generation efficiencies,total electricity consumption is also predicted to increase. President Bush has called for anAdvanced Energy Initiative based on the development of hydrogen fuel, clean coal technologies, Page

Conference Session

Learning about Electric Energy Conversion

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ilya Grinberg, Buffalo State College; Carl Spezia, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale; Herbert Hess, University of Idaho

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

machineat steady state. Figure 1 shows an induction motor torque-speed plotted together with blowertorque-speed curve that was generated from the E-book. Students use E-book content to find theelectromechanical system operating point, which is the intersection of the two curves, anddetermine if the motor is overloaded. The interactive nature of the E-book allows students tochange motor and/or load parameters and repeat the problem in a short time.Buffalo State College recently acquired new electromechanical laboratory equipmentmanufactured by Lucas-Nulle12. It consists of a variety of 0.37kW motors, a servo-brake, andcomputerized control equipment. The computer system controls the servo-brake, provides dataacquisition, and graphing capabilities

Conference Session

Novel Energy Applications in Education

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Michael Swedish, Milwaukee School of Engineering

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

freezer example was reexamined. Here is a case where the water has been taken out ofequilibrium with the environment by lowering its temperature, not raising it. The students wereshown that a calculation of the heat transport of exergy showed that exergy was transported fromthe freezer to the water; that is, in the opposite direction to the energy transport (see Figure 1).But this was precisely what intuition suggested about the process. The Second Law is apowerful model indeed. freezer exergy energy H2O Figure 1A

Conference Session

Alternative Energy Source Projects

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Craig Somerton, Michigan State University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

417 Design of Alternative Energy Systems is a senior level design intensive elective course[1]. It is a project based course for which the students carry out three technical projects. In itslast offering the projects were: design of a fuel cell system, design of a wave energy system, anddesign of a solar energy system. The focus of the course is for students to use simpleengineering principles in developing predictive models for alternative energy systems. Some ofthe projects require students to develop their own calculation tool (a spreadsheet or MATLABprogram), while other projects use commercially available software, for example spreadsheetprograms from RETScreen International [2], which is managed under the leadership and ongoingfinancial

Conference Session

Learning about Electric Energy Conversion

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Timothy Skvarenina, Purdue University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

replacing the drives. Initially we approached thecompany that had donated the previous drives, but we were unable to obtain a new donation. Wethen investigated purchasing “name brand” replacement drives. Unfortunately, we found that Page 13.1341.2new drives were about $2000 apiece and software to connect them to the computers was evenmore. That was not an option, given that we have eight lab stations, so we began looking at otheralternatives.The drive we settled on is the Dura Pulse G3 drive, which ismade in China and sold by Automation Direct in the UnitedStates, and is shown in Figure 1. Since we use 208 volt, 1/3 hpmotors in our lab, we purchased

Conference Session

Novel Energy Applications in Education

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mark Schumack, University of Detroit Mercy; Mohammad Elahinia, University of Toledo; Christopher Schroeder, University of Toledo; Walter Olson, University of Toledo

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

energy. The audience for the current work includes students enrolled in thermodynamicsand fluid mechanics courses. This paper will elaborate on the objectives of the project, describemodel details, present student exercises classified according to level and course, and provide anassessment of how effective the simulation tool and associated assignments were in improvingstudent learning.Project objectives and outcomesThe project entails the development of learning materials to achieve the following objectives: 1) demonstrate how hydraulic hybrids can improve fuel economy 2) promote understanding of the thermodynamic principles behind accumulator design and IC engine performance 3) highlight the fundamental relationships

Conference Session

Investigating Fuel Cells and Alternative Fuels in the Classroom and Lab

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Recayi 'Reg' Pecen; Faruk Yildiz; Kenan Baltaci, University of Northern Iowa

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

is capable of holding enough fuel to operate for four hours, and to travel 100 miles inan urban area. The maximum speed of the motorcycle is declared as 50 miles per hour 8. TheHonda is also going to offer motorcycles using fuel cells as a fuel source9-10. Similarly Hondapress release included the company’s next generation hydrogen vehicle in 200811.Measurement ChallengesFuel cell test systems make a variety of measurements that require signal conditioning before theraw signal can be digitized by the data acquisition system. An important feature for the testing offuel cell stacks is isolation. Each individual cell may generate about 1 V, and a group of cellsmay reach up to 10 V because in a PEM the membranes are stacked together to yield

Conference Session

Curricular Developments in Energy Education

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Sarma Pisupati, Pennsylvania State University; Jonathan Mathews, Pennsylvania State University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

was dressed in different outfits, placed in various situations, and he often used dialogue bubbles to stress important Page 13.436.3 Figure 1. A screen shot of interactive activity to teach heat transfer. points or elicit the students’ curiosity. The instructor also made his presencefelt by both narrating all animations and worked examples

Conference Session

Computer Applications in Energy Courses

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Frank Li, Youngstown State University; Theodore Burke, Ajax Tocco; Jalal Jalali, Youngstown State University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

temperaturecontrol capabilities and minimum environmental impacts. Induction heating has been widelyapplied to industrial operations such as forging, heat-treating, soldering, hardening, and otherforms of heat transfer. As the oil shortage and global warming become imminent, many newalternating energy sources such as wind, ocean and solar requires better power management inthe energy conversion1. Engineering students should learn the impacts of their designs to theenvironment and induction heating demonstrates such practical energy conversion process. Figure 1: High frequency power supply system schematics The schematic of the induction heating system is shown as Fig. 1, the 3-phase 60 Hzregular industrial standard 480 V supply

Conference Session

Novel Energy Applications in Education

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Patrick Tebbe, Minnesota State University-Mankato; Brian Weninger, Minnesota State University-Mankato; Corey Thibeault, Minnesota State University-Mankato

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

of steady state condensation with a testrun that included an occupancy that exceeded the design by 100%. After one hour a 5/10,000inch layer of water formed. Mumma also states that a 3°F (1.7°C) difference between the inletpanel temperature and space dew point temperature will require 90 minutes to 14 hours to form alayer of condensation the diameter of a human hair [1].III. STUDENT DESIGN EXPERIENCEStudents were presented with the general concept shown in Figure 1 and were given severaldesign requirements for the apparatus at the start of the project. The ability to move between class rooms (i.e. fit through standard doors) The cooling panels should be capable of multiple orientations such as horizontal and vertical

Conference Session

Computer Applications in Energy Courses

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Clayton Hochstrasser, The Ohio State Univ.; Joseph Werner, The Ohio State Univ.; Donald Kasten, Ohio State University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

just illustrating the mechanics of the solution for a specificoperating point, a number of operating points can be calculated and results displayed in anorganized fashion. Tools such as this can make the instructional process investigative in nature,by addressing what-if scenarios. Visual Basic was chosen as the software to do this developmentwork.Visual learning“Visual learning is an important method for exploiting students’ visual senses to enhancelearning and engage their interest.” 1 Though this reference focuses on underrepresented studentsin the technical fields, the concepts are applicable across the range of the student population.Ref. 1 was part of a special issue of the IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications society on“innovative

Conference Session

Novel Energy Applications in Education

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Christopher Schroeder, University of Toledo; Mohammad Elahinia, University of Toledo; Walter Olson, University of Toledo; Mark Schumack, University of Detroit Mercy

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

over thesubject-based learning. The authors have identified the following attributes of the first learningmethod: (1) Learning is student-centered (2) Learning occurs in small student groups (3)Teachers are facilitators or guides (4) Problems are the organizing focus and stimulus forlearning (5) Problems are the vehicle for the development of critical problem-solving skills (6)New information is acquired through self-directed learning. More importantly, the problem-solving approach prepares the students for formulating and solving problems they have neverbeen exposed to before. The authors have observed that the willingness and the desire to learnare directly related to the students’ ability to understand how the knowledge can be utilized for

Conference Session

Solar Power, Wind Power, and Energy System Initiatives

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Narciso Macia, Arizona State University; John-Paul Ishioye, Arizona State University; Brigid Dotson, University of Washington; Maria Macia, Veritas Preparatory Academy

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright @ 2008, American Society for Engineering Educationthe cooling load. Its effect has been investigated in many cases. For example Lam investigatesthe effect of surrounding buildings on producing shade [1].This paper is also used as a teaching vehicle in the senior capstone class, in which the studentsare working on a design project that includes heat gain/losses in a small greenhouse, the use ofPV modules to charge a battery and also drive a small, centrifugal pump.Thermal modelIt is important to use a model that has the ability to handle the heat storage properties of thebuilding. For instance, if the night is particularly cold, the building model

Conference Session

Computer Applications in Energy Courses

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Vincent Winstead, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

lack of detailedknowledge of the operational characteristics of the Prius battery control unit (BCU), thestudents decided to interface the modified battery pack such that the Prius vehicle was notaware of the modification (i.e. masking the change to the BCU). There are numerous Priusconversion projects across the United States in various stages of development. A searchthrough the internet yielded a similar endeavor: The CalCARS PriusPlus project [1]. Inthis conversion the stock Nickel Metal-Hydride (Ni-MH) battery pack was replaced with aLead-Acid (Pb-Acid) chemistry pack with the same pack voltage as the stock battery pack.The BCU was sent similar fractional-pack voltage measurements from the new pack asprovided by the stock pack in an effort

Conference Session

Sustainable Energy Issues in Education

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Cindy Orndoff, Florida Gulf Coast University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

90 percent of their work time indoors, costing USbusinesses about $15 billion in productivity losses annually. “By the year 2010, another 38million buildings are expected to be constructed in the U.S. bringing our country’s total to over100 million. The challenge is to build those new buildings, and renovate the older ones, in waysthat reverse these unhealthy trends.” 1 The challenge is getting the construction industry to acceptand employ greener practices. The major way to meet this challenge is to build green. Buildinggreen has endless positive results that may include preserving natural habitats, ecosystems,watersheds; protecting water and air quality; reducing waste and greenhouse gases; thus creatingbetter outdoor and indoor

Conference Session

Alternative Energy Source Projects

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Peter Schubert, Packer Engineering

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

library, the student team researched the history of these devices. They foundthat plasma torches were first developed by NASA in the 1960s to simulate re-entry of spacevehicles. A plasma torch consists of a gas (either air, or combustible gasses for even highertemperatures) greatly heated by passage through a miniature bolt of lightning created byapplying a high voltage between two electrodes. Two types of torches are used in practice, theplasma cutter, which is commercially-available, and the less common plasma torch, as shown inFigure 1. Figure 1. Plasma cutter (left) and plasma torch (right). Page 13.984.3On the left of

Conference Session

Sustainable Energy Issues in Education

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Barbara Utley, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Andrea Ludwig, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; John Cundiff, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Sean McGinnis, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

the course attracts students from all disciplines within theCollege of Engineering, it is challenging to teach given the variety of backgrounds, specific skillsand knowledge, and perspectives. Analysis of course assessment data and revision to the coursecontent and teaching methods are part of an on-going effort to improve this course. The Green Engineering course has lectures which present background material on the keyenvironmental and energy issues facing society. To differentiate this course from one inenvironmental science, an engineering analysis component is included with the assignment offour mini-projects which are completed by teams of not more than four students. The projectsare: 1) biomass logistics, a project to document

Conference Session

Alternative Energy Source Projects

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Esther Ososanya, University of the District of Columbia; Abiose Adebayo, University of the District of Columbia; Jean-Pierre Fodjouo, University of the District of Columbia; Steven Omoijuanfo, University of the District of Columbia; Francis Ayissi, University of the District of Columbia; Tuan Ly, University of the District of Columbia; Kevin Allen, University of the District of Columbia; Mamoun Mohammed Ali, University of the District of Columbia; Gizaw Mulugeta, University of the District of Columbia; Anene Wynn, University of the District of Columbia; Dimitri Ditombi Bamba, University of the District of Columbia; Meraj Shaikh, University of the District of Columbia

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

Biomethane:There are three steps to upgrading biogas to biomethane [3]. They are: (1) removal ofhydrogen sulfide, (2) removal of moisture, and (3) removal of carbon dioxide. Thesimplest way to remove moisture is through refrigeration. H2S can be removed by avariety of processes: I. Air injected into the digester biogas holder Page 13.1210.6 II. Iron chloride added to the digester influent 5 III. Reaction with iron oxide or hydroxide (iron sponge) IV. Use of activated-carbon sieve V. Water scrubbing VI. Sodium hydroxide or

Conference Session

Curricular Developments in Energy Education

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Gunnar Tamm, United States Military Academy; Ozer Arnas, United States Military Academy; Daisie Boettner, United States Military Academy; Seth Norberg, United States Military Academy

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

future leaders.Energy Use in the United StatesThe United States consumes 100 Quad (1 Quad = 1015 Btu) of energy annually, accounting forroughly one quarter of the world’s total consumption.[1] Figure 1 shows that 85% is derivedfrom fossil fuels. There is ongoing debate over how long fossil fuel reserves will last, a fewdecades to a few centuries, depending on the fuel. But this debate is trivial, because they are allfinite resources that will eventually be exhausted. The only debate is how quickly society mustreact to the inevitable end of unsustainable consumption.The public is reluctant to plan for decades or centuries ahead, because personal financial andsecurity concerns are more immediate. For successful development of energy alternatives

Conference Session

Solar Power, Wind Power, and Energy System Initiatives

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Peter Mark Jansson, Rowan University; Ulrich Schwabe, Rowan University; Andrew Hak, Rowan University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

2007 the financial team was able to reachagreement on pricing and the technical aspects of the project were started. It was at thattime that SunTechnics, a former Industrial Affiliate of Rowan University, saw a perfectrole for using the College of Engineering to assist them in the medium voltage (33kV)AC aspects of the project. Table 1 provides an overall equipment list for the project; theundergraduate and graduate engineering students were involved in analysis of the designof this system for items 4-8 in the table and responsible for specification, details andplans for items 6, 7 and 8 (which is described in greater detail in another paper by theauthors11

Conference Session

Sustainable Energy Issues in Education

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Cortney Martin, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Barbara Bekken, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Sean McGinnis, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

longer entirely adequate for today’s complex problems that cut across theboundaries of academic departments, nations, and cultures. In addition to technical knowledgeand skills, engineers today need two other fundamental competencies: (1) an ability to applymath and science tools at the intersection of global economics, culture, government, health,history, and the arts; and (2) a deep appreciation for the limits of our available resources, and theneed for socially-responsible cradle-to-cradle2 designs that protect the health of people and theenvironment.A recent report by the Association of American Colleges and Universities states, “those whoendorse narrow learning are blind to the realities of the new global economy.”3 They outline abroad set

Conference Session

Curricular Developments in Energy Education

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ray Miller, University of Cincinnati; Max Rabiee, University of Cincinnati; Elvin Stepp, University of Cincinnati

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

infrastructure needs to be built from power generation plants to switchingstations and power transmission and distribution systems. This is the impetus along withindustry inquiries that had UC create the new programs in Power Engineering Technology wewill outline in the following sections.Curriculum Outline:Table 1 lists the curriculum plan for the Associate degree in power technology option. Total ofone hundred quarter credit hours are required for this degree option. There are nine lecturecourses with accompanying lab classes that are offered in the Electrical and ComputerEngineering (ECET) department. Sum of the credit hours for these classes is 36 quarter credit.Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) department is responsible for offering seven