MECH 430: Thermal System Designs
Instructor: Dr. Stephen J. Harrison
Rm. 406, McLaughlin Hall
Course webpage: (currently being revised)
http://me.queensu.ca/courses/mech430
Course Objectives
• This course is concerned with the technical, economic
and environmental aspects of conventional and novel
methods of energy supply and use. Emphasis will be
placed on the analysis and design of thermal systems.
• Topics include: electric utility demand and supply; the
analysis of thermal power generation systems including
combined cycle and cogeneration plants; emission
control; alternative energy systems.
Course Content• Review of basic thermodynamics, heat exchangers, psychometrics and
building energy use.
• Environmental Impact and Emission Controls: Environmental Aspects of
Conventional Energy Production; Global Warming; Emissions Controls.
• Electric Utility Demand and Supply: Demand analysis; Utility Generating
Capacity; Load Duration Curves and Load Factors; Peak and Base Loads;
Reserve Capacity; Load Diversity and Demand Management Schemes.
• Design of Thermal Power Systems: Steam Power Cycles; Performance
Parameters;
• Distributed Power Generation: Micro gas turbine; Fuel Cell
• Combined Cycles and Cogeneration: Gas Turbine Plants; the Production
of Heat and Power; Waste Heat Recovery Boilers.
• Non-conventional Energy Sources: Design and performance of Solar and
Wind Power Systems; Applications, Limitations and Economics.
The Tutorial periods may be used for class videos, quizzes and
tutorials. Please check the website schedule for more details.
Time & Location:
Lectures:
Tuesday 12:30 PM, Rm. 12 Dunning Hall
Thursday 11:30 AM, Rm. 12 Dunning Hall
Friday 1:30 AM, McLaughlin Hall Rm. 315
Tutorial: (Mandatory)
Monday 1:30 PM, Rm. 12 Dunning Hall
Course Teaching Assistants:
Kristen & Nick
Reference Text (optional)
Hodge, B. K.- Alternative Energy Systems
1. Energy Usage in the United States
2. Fundamentals of Turbomachinery
3. Hydropower
4. Wind Energy
5. Combustion Turbines
6. Solar Energy Fundamentals
7. Active Solar Thermal
8. Passive Solar Energy
9. Photovoltaic Systems
10. Fuel Cells
11. Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Systems
12. Biomass
13. Geothermal Energy
14. Ocean Energy
15. Nuclear Energy
1st Edition - April 2009, John Wiley & Sons. 418 Pages
Marking Scheme (Tentative)
Assignments/Tutorials 10%
Test #1 20%
Test #2 20%
Test #3 20%
Project 30%
Class TestsThere will be three class tests for this course.
Please note:
Module 1 Test : Oct 26, 2015
Module 2 Test : Date to be determined
Module 3 Test : Date to be determined
These tests will cover material presented in class such as videos, lecture notes.
All tests are closed book and will be written during the class or tutorial periods.
Final Project
• Every year, teams of Mech 430 students develop a
thermal systems project, with a focus on energy.
• The project runs throughout the term, with several
deliverables along the way.
• At the end of the term, the teams present and test
their work in McLaughlin Hall
This Year’s Project: Mini Solar Building
GoalIn teams of 4 or 5: design, build, and test a mini-solar building. The small,
passive solar structure will contain a thermocouple that will measure the interior
temperature over a period of 5 days. The goal is to maintain ASHRAE thermal
comfort standards inside the enclosure during the hours of 7am-9pm.
Background:
Buildings are responsible for 30% of Canada’s energy consumption.
Reducing the amount of energy used by buildings involves the use of both active and passive strategies.
We may also introduce peer-to-peer marking if we receive concerns about member participation in teams.
Project Evaluation (tentative)
The marks for the project will be distributed as follows:
15% Design Proposal
30% Detailed Design and Performance Prediction
30% Design, Construction, and Performance
10% Presentation to Judges
15% Performance 5% Design features
25% Final Report
100% TOTAL
Project Schedule (tentative)
Week 2:
Monday: In class introduction
Tuesday: Groups due by email
Week 3:
Wednesday, Proposal Due
Week 4-7: Construction and Modelling
Model & Description due
Project Schedule
Week 8: Testing
Sunday/Monday, Construction due
Tuesday-Friday Testing
Week 11:
Final Report Due
Week 12:
Project removal & disposal
• You will need to submit a performance prediction (system model) prior to testing the device
• Predicted performance will be compared with test results in the final report
Detailed Design and Performance Prediction (30%)
• Modeling of system will be discussed in class
• Testing will occur in November
• Testing will occur at the Solar Calorimetry Lab on the roof of McLaughlin Hall
• Teams are responsible for setting up their device before 5pm the day before testing
• After testing the prototype must be removed from the roof of McLaughlin Hall and safely disassembled/disposed of
Testing
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The designs will be tested side-by-side outdoors at the end of term for a multi-day period and the interior temperature recorded. This data will be provided along with solar radiation and ambient air temperature data for inclusion in the Team’s final report.
Performance Criteria (15% of Project Mark)
• Performance points will be deducted if condensation occurs
• Your teams’ final report will be due one week after testing
• The final report deliverables will be posted in the project outline available on the course website.
Final Reports
1. The device must not have any external sources of
power except the provided battery. All heat must be
provided by the sun (and provided battery).
2. Devices will be subject to safety check by the judges.
Fire hazards and loose materials will penalize your
team.
3. All but two interior and exterior surfaces must be
painted white
4. Four Vacuum Insulated Panels (VIPs) are provided and
must be used as the walls and base of the prototype.
The “roof” and front façade materials are unrestricted.
Rules
7. Judges must be able to place the smaller block inside
the device prior to testing (i.e. The device must open)
8. Temperature will be measured with a singular
temperature measuring device. It will be located central
to the small block approximately 1/3 of the way from the
bottom.
9. The device must incorporate glazing that totals at
least 25% of the floor area. This 25% window area
must provide visual communication between the
outside and inside (i.e., small block) of the device.
Rules
Design “Kit”
Teams will be given:
4 x VIP panels Thermal Conductivity:
0.0017 W/mK (Advertised)
0.00228 W/mK (Independent lab tests)
1 Piece Plexiglass
Dimensions of VIP panel +/- a few inches – specify in proposal
1 Roll Duct Tape
18”
21 ¾”