Engineering Commons^™

Isentropic Efficiency And Theoretical Analysis Of The Planetary Rotor Expander, Joseph L. James

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Expanders allow pressurized fluids to undergo a pressure decrease in a controlled environment via volumetric growth to extract fluid energy. There are many types of expanders, and the objective of this thesis is to model the efficiencies of the planetary rotor expander (PRE), a century-old design undeveloped due to insufficient manufacturing capabilities (until recently). Geometric relationships are derived and mathematical models are generated to determine the efficiency of the PRE as a function of design variables. Two industrially relevant case studies show that, to maximize isentropic efficiency, the planetary rotor expander (PRE) rotational frequency is maximized and rotor geometry optimized.

Analysis Of Distortion Transfer And Generation Through A Fan And A Compressor Using Full-Annulus Unsteady Rans And Harmonic Balance Approaches, Daniel Robert Soderquist

Theses and Dissertations

Understanding distortion transfer and generation through fan and compressor blade rows is able to assist in blade design and performance prediction. Using full annulus unsteady RANS simulations, the effects of distortion as it passes through the rotor of a transonic fan at five radial locations (10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, and 90% span) are analyzed. The inlet distortion profile is a 90-degree sector with a 15% total pressure deficit. Fourier distortion descriptors are used in this study to quantitatively describe distortion transfer and generation. Results are presented and compared for three operating points (near-stall, design, and choke). These results are used …

Electrathon Vehicle: Electrical Power, Samuel Johnson

All Undergraduate Projects

The Electrathon Vehicle: Electrical Power proposal is an in depth dive into theorizing, constructing and testing the design of an electrical circuit. A breakdown of this report gives an extensive and thorough analysis of the problem. How do you efficiently deliver 1kw/hr of power to an electric motor? The methods used to face this challenge and the results seen after are laid out in this report.

The challenge of competing in the Electrathon Race is delivering power to an electric motor for an entire hour without exceeding 1kW/hr of power. The goal is to travel as much distance in the …

Dual-Axis Solar Tracker, Alazone Smith

All Undergraduate Projects

The global energy crisis and continued supporting evidence of global climate change have begun to shift the world economies towards solutions that solve both challenges. Solar power has become one of the most recognizable and popularized renewable energy methods to date. In comparison to other photovoltaic systems, this project demonstrates the performance advantages of a dual-axis solar tracker. It also addressing its viability on a non-commercial scale. The objective was to improve upon previous solar tracker projects at Central Washington University by adding another axis to the system. This system implements both an actuator and a stepper motor to examine …

Trade-Off Balancing For Stable And Sustainable Operating Room Scheduling, Amin Abedini

Theses and Dissertations--Mechanical Engineering

The implementation of the mandatory alternative payment model (APM) guarantees savings for Medicare regardless of participant hospitals ability for reducing spending that shifts the cost minimization burden from insurers onto the hospital administrators. Surgical interventions account for more than 30% and 40% of hospitals total cost and total revenue, respectively, with a cost structure consisting of nearly 56% direct cost, thus, large cost reduction is possible through efficient operation management. However, optimizing operating rooms (ORs) schedules is extraordinarily challenging due to the complexities involved in the process. We present new algorithms and managerial guidelines to address the problem of OR …