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The Energy Systems Laboratory at Kettering University

Abstract

Energy Systems Laboratory is a required senior level course for mechanical engineering students at Kettering University (formerly GMI). Approximately 250 students take this course every year. Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics serve as pre-requisites for this laboratory course while Heat Transfer is a co-requisite. This class meets six hours a week (two hours of common lecture plus four hours of laboratory experimentation). It deals with detailed application of the first and the second laws of thermodynamics; continuity, momentum, and energy equations; and principles of conduction and convection to a variety of energy systems. A design project is incorporated into this laboratory course. Currently, experiments performed in this laboratory include a Jet Engine, Road Load Simulation, PEM Fuel Cell Performance, Centrifugal Pump, Fan Laws, Compressible Flow, Pipe Flow and Flow Meters, Lift and Drag, Heat Exchanger, and Cylinder Convection. Among other things, the students learn how jet engines work; how aircraft wings produce lift; how a fuel cell works; how supersonic velocities are produced; how to use a dynamometer to predict the gas mileage of a car; how to match pumps and fans to piping systems and ducts and how to cool hot objects effectively. They also learn to apply the fundamental principles of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and heat transfer in an integrated manner to a variety of energy systems. This paper describes this modern laboratory in detail, presents the course pedagogy as well as a summary of the laboratory experiments including photographs of the equipment and sample results obtained in each experiment.

Introduction

Kettering University (formerly GMI Engineering & Management Institute) is a fully cooperative institute that offers degree programs in engineering, sciences and management. All undergraduate students alternate between 11-week periods of study on campus and related work experience at one of over 700 corporations. About 55 percent of Kettering University students are enrolled in mechanical engineering.

Every mechanical engineering student at Kettering University takes a senior-level course entitled Energy Systems Laboratory. Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics serve as pre-requisites for this laboratory course while Heat Transfer is a co-requisite. This laboratory course provides students with opportunities to apply fundamental concepts learned in core energy systems courses as well as introduces students to modern measurement techniques and modern engineering tools. The course is intended to provide students with an integrated, hands-on experience since courses in the area of energy systems are often taught in isolation.

Among other things, the students learn:

- how jet engines work - how aircraft wings produce lift - how a fuel cell works

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Pourmovahed, A. (2007, June), The Energy Systems Laboratory At Kettering University Paper presented at 2007 Annual Conference & Exposition, Honolulu, Hawaii. 10.18260/1-2--1476