Mechanical Engineering Commons^™

Fuzzy Logic-Based Decision Support System For Adoption Of Industry 4.0 Predictive Maintenance By Manufacturing Industries, Fred E. Peter

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

In the context of Industry 4.0, predictive maintenance enhances operational efficiency by optimizing processes, minimizing downtime, and improving cost-effectiveness. However, implementing predictive maintenance requires a systematic approach due to its complexity. This study collected expert input from 15 food and beverage manufacturing industries located in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, using a purposive sampling technique. Six representatives were selected from each industry, and their opinions were analyzed using MATLAB 7.6 through a fuzzy logic inference system. The analysis focused on key factors influencing Industry 4.0 technology adoption for predictive maintenance, including adoption intention (strategic decision, equipment data, perceived benefit) and perceived …

Thermal Energy Storage System Using Silica Sand As Heat Storage Medium: Simulation Of Geita Gold Mine, Santos Kihwele

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Currently, Geita Gold Mine (GGM) relies on electrical energy from the national grid and diesel power generators to generate electricity for various industrial applications. The plant currently spends a large amount of money on generating power from diesel generators. The total annual cost of power generation from diesel generators including lubricants is USD 56,057,990. The total annual fuel cost is USD 53,531,805 for a total of 54,985,473 liters per year. Most of the power generated by the generators is consumed in the industrial thermal processes. Thermal energy applications at the plant are thermal drying of the extracted ores to remove …

Wet Gas Metering Performance Using Conventional Flow Measurement Devices, Vitali Mwinyi

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The demand for and production of natural wet gas from wells has significantly risen in recent years. Although natural gas liquids hold substantial value in the oil and gas market, their presence in wet gas adversely affects gas metering, leading to overreading during measurement. A comprehensive study has been undertaken to formulate and enhance correlations for rectifying overreading in wet gas metering. Nevertheless, most current correlations are designed for horizontal configurations of traditional meters. Mitigating this constraint is crucial to consider the impact of gravity on pressure loss in vertically oriented systems. This study seeks to evaluate the efficacy of …

Energy Optimal Coverage Motion Trajectory Generation Using A Fourth-Order Motion Profile, Mathias Halinga

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Industrial machines are widely used in manufacturing sector to manufacture several products to meet customer demands. Most of these industries runs all the time throughout a day leading to high operating cost. To cut costs and satisfy customer demand for precise products, industrial machines’ motion generation is important in improving machine motion precision while using less energy. This study presents a coverage motion energy optimization which is generated by linear interpolation of each segment described by the fourth-order motion profile. The phase changes in the profile are attained with continuity of machine kinematic limits jerk, acceleration, and velocity, which are …

The Impacts Of Renewable Energy Sources: A Review On Grid Inertia And Frequency Regulation, Sospeter Gabriel

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The power system is gradually transitioning into low inertia due to integrating substantial intermittency quantity of converter-based renewable energy sources, such as wind and photovoltaic power, into the current power grid network. This integration presents significant inertia and frequency control challenges to the network as a result of a decrease in the percentage of synchronous generators. Moreover, faster frequency deviations are posed by the mismatch between the supply and demand during contingencies, which creates difficulties in preserving the frequency stability of the power system. This research explores the impacts of renewable energy sources (RESs) on grid inertia and frequency management …

Analysis Of An Improved Reliability Dual-Buck Structured Three-Level Flying Capacitor Inverter, Almachius Kahwa Dr.

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

With the increased demand for high-reliability power converters in the electric drive-train and propulsion systems, the efforts to design and analyze converters with high fault tolerance have become apparent. Among the emerging trends to improve the reliability of power converters is the incorporation of dual-buck (DB) structures in traditional converter topologies. Thus, this paper studies a single-phase dual-buck structured three-level flying capacitor (FC) inverter. The dual-buck flying capacitor (DBFC) inverter was constructed in such a way as to suppress the shoot-through problems that may occur because of the switching mismatch and gate driver delay, as exhibited in the traditional FC …

Calibration Of Measurement Tools In The Experimental Test Rig For Hydropower Performance Evaluation, Ombeni J. Mdee

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The demonstration of a typical hydropower plant requires the development of a test rig with the installation of tools to measure the performance parameters. The measurement tools require a calibration process to improve the quality of recorded data. This study involved the calibration of traditional and automated measurement tools connected to the hydropower test rig through an Arduino microprocessor. The automated measurement tools included a pressure transducer, flow meter, digital tachometer, and torque transducer, while traditional measurement tools, including a pressure gauge, concrete water tank, contact tachometer, and force lever arm balance, were connected in the same test rig during …

Review On Gas-To-Liquids Conversion Technology: Lessons From Case Studies And Potential Strategies For Implementation In Tanzania, Joseph H. Kihedu

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

This review paper explores the transformative potential of Gas-to- Liquids (GTL) technology for harnessing Tanzania's vast natural gas resources. With significant discoveries of natural gas reserves totalling up to 57 Tcf in fields such as Songosongo, Mnazi Bay, Block 1, 2, 3 and 4. Tanzania is positioned to leverage GTL technology to convert these resources into high-value liquid fuels like gasoline, diesel and naphtha. Review of GTL process, its products and applications has been done. By analysing successful GTL projects globally and drawing lessons applicable to Tanzania, this paper provides strategic recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders to foster GTL development. …

A Review Of Lithium-Ion Battery Capacity Fade Deceleration At Power Fluctuations In Renewable Energy Systems, Isaac Gwayi

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Application of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries to store energy in renewable energy systems (RESs) is increasing due to their promising properties. Therefore, it is crucial to understand aging behaviours of Li-ion battery during RES life time as this directly affects cost of energy. Li-ion battery aging can be categorised into calendar aging and cycle aging. Calendar aging depends mainly on temperature and state of charge (SoC). In addition to temperature and SoC, cycle aging depends also on charge and discharge current rates and cut-off voltages. Higher current rates lead to faster Li-ion battery aging. It is necessary to identify appropriate battery …

Assessment Of Maintenance Performance Level Of Selected Hydropower Plants In Tanzania, Mahamudu H. Mtebwa

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Despite significant progress in increasing electricity access to over 78%, electricity reliability in Tanzania remains a concern, with frequent power outages reported. Maintenance issues in hydropower plants have been identified as a critical factor contributing to this problem. However, the specific maintenance performance levels have not been fully assessed. This study conducts a comprehensive evaluation of the maintenance performance of four key hydropower plants: Kidatu (204 MW), Kihansi (180 MW), Mtera (80 MW), and New Pangani Falls (68 MW). Data collected from staff surveys and maintenance records between 2018 and 2022 were used in the study. Although staff demonstrated a …

Root Cause Analysis Of Performance Degradation For An Xyz Thermal Power Plant In Tanzania, Simon I. Marandu

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Thermal power plants in Tanzania have been experiencing performance degradation, typically arising from component and subsystem failures, which contribute to power system instability and unreliability. This paper presents a case study of the root causes of performance degradation of an XYZ thermal power plant. The study was conducted by reviewing plant documentations, including maintenance and operational data logbooks, and by standardising the approach through the adoption of ISO 14224:2016 for maintenance and reliability data exchange. Data evaluation was carried out using principal component analysis and scree plot analytical techniques to enhance the depth and accuracy of root cause identification. Additionally, …

Potential Use Of Pump As Turbine Coupled To Self-Excited Induction Generator For Micro-Hydro Cooking And Cooling Applications, Emanuel J. Nyirenda

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Clean cooking and efficient cooling in developing countries have recently become areas of great focus. Further, the environmental impact of flooding in high-capacity hydroelectric plants has become a major concern. As a result, there is growing emphasis on developing sustainable and decentralized energy solutions, focusing on the potential of micro-hydro systems, especially in rural and remote areas. Although there are several alternative energy generation methods, their application is not straightforward. One of the latest technologies under research is using pumps as turbines coupled to an induction generator. This paper explores through a rigorous experimental approach the possibility of using a …

Optimal Placement Of Distributed Generation Units In Power Distribution Networks Using Particle Swarm Optimization, Owdean M. Suwi

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Power losses and voltage drops in distribution networks are critical issues in power system operation, reducing efficiency, reliability, and overall quality of the power supply to customers. Additionally, the rising electricity demand, deregulation of energy markets, and congestion in transmission networks have further contributed to the declining performance of the grid. To address these challenges, integrating distributed generation units (DGUs) into electric distribution systems has gained significant attention. Furthermore, the integration of DGUs into conventional fossil fuel-based power plants is becoming necessary to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, proper placement and sizing of DGUs are crucial for achieving optimal benefits. …

Prospects Of Clean Cooking Energy In Africa - Transition Pathways And Implications, Joseph H. Kihedu Dr.

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Despite abundant renewable energy resources, African countries still suffer from energy poverty, particularly in cooking. Up to 2022, about 74% of the African population had no access to clean cooking energy. With focus to Sub-Saharan African population, 90% has no access to clean cooking energy which decrease by 7% when kerosene is included. Traditional cooking, which involves the use of charcoal and firewood, is associated with health problems, environmental degradation, socioeconomic issues, and gender inequality. Transitioning to clean cooking energy not only promises significant health benefits but also offers opportunities for sustainable economic development and environmental preservation. In this study, …

Investigation The Effect Of Integrating Solar Desalination Systems With Firefighting Networks For Coastal Cities, Ramy Elramy, Mohamed Mahgoub, Mohamed Abdelgaied, Ayman Refat Abd Elbar

Journal of Engineering Research

This study investigates integrating solar desalination systems with seawater-based firefighting networks as a sustainable solution for coastal cities facing freshwater scarcity. This study evaluates technical feasibility, economic impact, and operational performance by comparing conventional seawater firefighting infrastructure with systems utilizing desalinated water produced via solar energy. The methodology includes a detailed component and cost analysis of both systems, supported by experimental pump performance tests using varying salt concentrations and seawater. Results indicate that desalinated water systems offer significant economic savings—approximately 48.82%—due to reduced corrosion, lower maintenance demands, and improved pump efficiency. Experimental findings also show that increased salinity accelerates cavitation …

Combustion Characteristics And Cycle-To-Cycle Variations In A Diesel Generator Fueled With Used Frying Oil Biodiesel Blends, Shady Elmozy, Ahmad Khira Dr., E. A. El Shenawy Prof. Dr., Medhat Elkelawy Prof. Dr, Eng.

Journal of Engineering Research

This paper investigates the combustion characteristics and cycle-to-cycle variations in a stationary direct-injection diesel generator fueled with biodiesel derived from used frying oil (UFO) blended with conventional diesel. Used frying oil methyl ester (UFOME), referred to as UB100, was produced through a single-step alkali transesterification process and blended with diesel fuel in varying proportions (UB10, UB20, UB30, UB40, and UB50). Experiments were conducted on a single-cylinder, naturally aspirated diesel engine operating at a constant speed of 1500 rpm under five different load conditions: 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 90%. In-cylinder pressure data from 400 consecutive cycles were analyzed to determine …

An Eulerian-Pfem Approach To Model Transient Capillary Forces On Moving Contact Lines Of Spreading Liquid Drops: Applications In Hydraulic And Fluid Dynamics, Elaf N. Mahrous, Syed Yousufuddin, Muhammad Saleem Professor, Mohammed N. Iqbal, Muhammad T. Bin-Saleem

Journal of Engineering Research

This study addresses the complexities of simulating multiphase flows, particularly the dynamics of droplet behaviour on solid substrates, which are influenced by intricate capillary interactions. Despite advancements in fixed-grid and moving-grid methodologies, there remains a critical gap in accurately modelling transient phenomena and dissipative forces at the solid-liquid interface. We introduce a novel Eulerian-particle finite element method (PFEM) framework that captures the transient capillary forces associated with the movement of contact lines in liquid droplet spreading scenarios. Through a numerical assessment of three established dissipative force models—Jiang’s, Bracke’s, and Seeberg’s we identify Jiang's model as the most effective and stable …

2-Axis Solar Panel Tracker, Danica Wong, Oliver Barnaal, Anton Orme

Mechanical Engineering

Solar panels generate energy from sunlight. To do this it’s important that they remain pointed at the sun throughout the day. The Cal Poly Micro Grid Lab runs a class that uses a student made solar panel and tracking mount as an instructional tool. This project is beginning to show signs of wear from outdoor use and is unable to run without constant input due to some significant design flaws. The lab needs a new version of the mount to be made that is significantly more reliable and easier to use.

2024-2025 Cal Poly Fluid Power Vehicle Competition Team, Jaskaran Singh Hothi, Justin Menzie Lesko, Tristan Kai Crawford, Lucas Rupert Erickson, Diego Velazquez

Mechanical Engineering

The Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge (FPVC) provides an avenue for the exploration of fluid-powered transportation, adhering to regulations set by the National Fluid Power Association (NFPA). This document serves as a roadmap for our team’s research, design, and manufacturing of a vehicle for participation in the FPVC. The team’s journey began with extensive background research, encompassing stakeholder engagement, analysis of existing solutions, and education on fluid power fundamentals. From this information, we decided to focus on enhancing mechatronics systems, improving the transmission, optimizing the mounting, adding a pneumatic element, and improving the efficiency of the hydraulic system of the vehicle …

Characterization Of Indoor Air Quality And Thermal Comfort Of University Classrooms, Andrew Sugamele

Master's Theses

Indoor air quality (IAQ) significantly affects cognitive performance, yet many older buildings at Cal Poly, such as Building 20, struggle to maintain healthy indoor environments due to outdated ventilation systems. This thesis aims to identify issues and provide suggestions on how we can improve the learning environment to improve student success within Building 20. Temperature, relative humidity, and carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentration inside Building 20 were measured from January to April 2025. To determine the effects of different ventilation strategies, a model of Building 20, room 128, was developed and validated using DesignBuilder. Additionally, ventilation rates were measured …

Hydropower Collegiate Competition, Aiden D. Foster, Devon Bountry, Joanna Vo, Timothy Rinker, Amanda Rodriguez, Minh Nguyen, Eli Haushalter, Sophie Watkinson, Maiya Holton, Breanne Evans

Mechanical Engineering

The Cal Poly SLO HCC team presents a feasibility study and engineering design review package for retrofitting the non-powered Ritschard Dam in Colorado into a hydroelectric facility as part of the 2025 Hydropower Collegiate Competition. Through a rigorous and multi-staged assessment of plausible dam sites in the western US, the team has chosen the Ritschard Dam in Colorado to implement an electromechanical component designed to accommodate a large range of flowrates stemming from a large variance in upper reservoir capacity due to geographical and climate effects. The team evaluated non-powered dams based on technical feasibility, electric grid proximity, power generation …

Cryogenic Fuel Delivery System, Carter Josef, Reilly Humphreys, Joseph O'Connor, Nick Spreen

Mechanical Engineering

This project presents the design and validation of a cryogenic fuel delivery system aimed at enabling sustainable aviation through hydrogen fuel vaporization. Developed by a team of senior mechanical engineering students at Cal Poly and sponsored by Boeing, the system utilizes atmospheric air to vaporize liquid nitrogen, used as a stand-in for hydrogen, via forced convection heat exchangers, eliminating the need for engine-supplied heat and reducing parasitic loads. A feedback loop and turbine component are integrated to regulate pressure and recover energy, respectively. A benchtop prototype was built and tested to evaluate system performance, with results closely aligning with analytical …

Who Owns The Wind: The Absence Of Community Wind Farms In California, Sky Berry-Weiss

Master's Projects and Capstones

Community ownership structures for wind farms have been around for decades, particularly in European countries, due to high socioeconomic benefits. Given these significant benefits, one might expect community wind to thrive in the United States—especially in a state like California, which prides itself on progressive climate policy and renewable energy leadership. Yet utility-scale community wind remains largely absent from research on California’s energy system, raising questions about its existence in the state. To pinpoint how many utility-scale community owned wind farms are in California, this study surveys every operational wind turbine in the state. After classifying each wind farm by …

Automated Solar Panel For Lmu Campus, Michael Hennessy, Jack Michaelis, Jack Leon, Nick Aiello, Mustafa Mozael

Honors Thesis

This Final Design Review outlines the design and implementation of an automated sun-tracking solar panel system for Loyola Marymount University's campus. The project aims to improve the efficiency of existing static solar panels by designing a new system of sun-tracking panels at a low cost and high power efficiency. The report covers the project's background, including LMU's current solar energy infrastructure and sustainability goals. It analyzes the advantages of automated solar panels over static ones, presenting comparative studies that demonstrate significant increases in energy capture. The report details the calculations for solar angle tracking, along with the mechanics and electronics …

Computational Modeling Of Torque Arm And Load Cell Interactions In Uta Racing Brake Dynamometer, Anthony A. Aiyedun

2025 Spring Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

The UTA Racing Team is developing a brake dynamometer to measure the coefficients of friction of various brake pads and calipers under controlled conditions. The dynamometer simulates on-track braking scenarios, testing brake pads at temperatures up to 1300ºF and pressures similar to racing environments. Its primary goal is to generate accurate friction vs. temperature graphs for various brake pad and rotor combinations, addressing the need for dedicated testing equipment. This project creates an ANSYS simulation of the torque arm and load cell interaction. The computational model accurately represents the relationship between applied torque and measured load cell force, incorporating precise …

Investigating The Feasibility Of Developing A Fully Solar-Driven Combined Cycle Design, Mazdak Gorji

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the feasibility of a thermal solar-only combined cycle power plant, a concept rarely investigated despite its potential to outperform photovoltaic systems in energy efficiency. Unlike typical hybrid models that use solar energy as a supplement to fuel, this research focuses on a solar-only system that operates a true Brayton-Rankine combined cycle for continuous 24/7 power generation. The study established an efficiency benchmark, comparing eighteen solar generation scenarios across different storage and power block configurations to assess whether the concept was worth pursuing, which it proved to be. Following this, the research focused on simulation, validating ThermoFlex software …

Precooling Ventilation Air For Hospital Operating Rooms And The Affects On Terminal Box Reheat, Joel F. Luke Jr

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

This study evaluates the impact of climate on the energy performance of two HVAC system configurations—AL1, a conventional air handling system, and AL2, which incorporates a pre-cooling coil and discharge air temperature (DAT) reset strategy. Using EnergyPlus simulations, each system was modeled across multiple U.S. cities representing a wide range of climate zones. Results show that AL2 significantly reduces plant energy consumption, with an average energy savings of 66.61\% compared to AL1. These savings were nearly evenly split between reductions in heating and cooling demands.

A weather normalization analysis using cooling and heating degree days (CDD65 and HDD65) revealed a …

A Simplified Thermal And Battery Model For Off-Grid Solar Air Conditioning In Florida’S Hurricane Context, Steven A. Sanford

Honors Theses

Florida’s hurricane-prone climate often leaves residents without power and at risk of dangerous indoor heat conditions. This thesis examines whether an off-grid, solar-powered air conditioning system can feasibly maintain safe indoor temperatures over a one-week outage period during peak hurricane season. A simplified, lumped-capacitance thermal model and an energy-based (Coulomb-counting) battery state of charge (SoC) approach were developed in MATLAB to simulate a DC-powered air conditioner (the DC48 unit) in a single-zone space. Historical weather and solar irradiance data from Vero Beach, Florida, represent the hot and humid conditions typical of post-hurricane scenarios. The model uses an on/off plus deadband …

Thermal Characterization Of Lithium-Ion Batteries Under Fast Charging Conditions Using Infrared Imaging., Gowthaman Punithakumar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Lithium-ion batteries are widely used across various industries due to their long lifespan, high energy density, low self-discharge rate, and absence of memory effect. However, fast charging of Li-ion batteries can cause problems like lithium plating, mechanical damage, and overheating. Temperature plays a key role in battery performance. Measuring temperature accurately is important to improve battery life, efficiency, and safety. However, accurately measuring a battery's internal temperature remains challenging, and the appropriate measurement method depends on factors like range, accuracy, resolution, and cost. Choosing the right temperature measurement method depends on range, accuracy, resolution, and cost. In this study, we …

Introduction To Building Energy Modeling And Analysis Using Energyplus, Jackson C. Burnett

Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Retail stores are dynamic environments where human activities significantly influence energy consumption patterns, particularly affecting heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) demands. Existing energy models, such as those developed using EnergyPlus, often rely on generalized assumptions about human occupancy and behavior, leading to discrepancies between predicted and actual energy usage. This research aimed to enhance the accuracy of energy modeling for retail stores by conducting a sensitivity analysis of occupancy using EnergyPlus simulations. The study investigated how variations in occupancy levels impact HVAC loads, cooling and heating demands, and overall energy use. Results showed that increasing occupancy leads to higher …