Mechanical Engineering Commons^™

Advanced Air Preheater Sealing Systems For Enhanced Efficiency And Reliability In Thermal Power Plants, Pavan Kumar Ravulaparthy

Theses and Dissertations

Global electricity generation still relies heavily on thermal power plants, which consume vast amounts of fuel and emit significant amounts of carbon dioxide. A major but often overlooked source of inefficiency in these plants lies within the rotary regenerative air preheater (RAPH), a critical heat-exchange component where air leakage can exceed 20% in aging units. This leakage increases fuel consumption, parasitic fan power, and CO₂ emissions, while degrading boiler reliability.

This research introduces advanced adaptive sealing systems designed to mitigate these losses by dynamically compensating for rotor eccentricity, thermal distortion, and wear under harsh operating conditions. Brush seals, composed of …

Assessing Potential Energy Sustainability Of Micro-Hydropower System Through A Sustainable Indicator Approach, Icmi Alif Safitri, Muhammad Sulaiman, Rachmawan Budiarto

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

The development of micro-scale renewable energy power generation systems, such as micro-hydropower (MHP), often needs more consideration for sustainability during the planning stages. Many small-scale renewable energy systems have shorter-than-expected lifespans, jeopardizing Indonesia's Net Zero Emission Target for 2060 or earlier. Despite this, only some studies have examined the long-term viability of installed renewable energy generation projects, particularly MHP plants not managed by state-owned companies or PLN (Pembangkit Listrik Negara). The primary objectives of this research are to evaluate the feasibility of retrofitting and assess the potential sustainability of a decommissioned MHP in Banjarnegara, Central Java. A cash flow analysis …

Liquid-Cooled Thermoelectric Modules: Potential For Efficient Water Harvesting Through Air Condensation, Bowo Yuli Prasetyo, Aindri Yuliane, Parisya Premiera Rosulindo, Fujen Wang

Makara Journal of Technology

Water is one of the essential natural resources for the sustaining life of all beings on this planet. In general, groundwater is used to meet daily needs, although the availability of this water source becomes a major concern, particularly in some areas with limited access to it. Air condensation is a solution for providing water in such areas. This study aims to explore the potential of utilizing the thermoelectric technology as an alternative solution for water provision. An experiment is conducted using a system consisting of single liquid-cooled thermoelectric cooling devices/modules (TECs). Three types/variants of TECs with different cooling capacities …

Wood-Plastic Composites Integration For Triboelectric Nanogenerator Electricity Generation, Hanbyeol Park, Razamala Yashna F. Dimaporo, Sophia Maureen A. Emperado, Anton Jefferson L. Pangilinan, Juan Carlo T. Gumangan

Sinaya: A Philippine Journal for Senior High School Teachers and Students

Access to electricity in underdeveloped communities is particularly crucial in improving the living standards of people and alleviating poverty by promoting sustainable development. This study deals with the exploration of incorporating wood-plastic composite (WPC) – specifically wood pulp (W) and high-density polyethylene (H) – into triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) flooring system to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy, promoting sustainable energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving the quality of life, and serving as feasible flooring tiles. Two types of TENG tiles were prepared by using different WPC ratios: 30W:70H and 70W:30H. A static bending test was conducted to assess the flexural …

Direct Methanol Fuel Cells Using Pure Methanol, Ryan Spragg

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Fuel cell technology has attained significant appeal as a form of renewable energy in recent years due to its diverse applications, various fuel types, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Of the various fuel cell types, direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) hold a set of distinct advantages for stationary and small portable applications. These advantages include faster refueling compared to battery charging, high gravimetric energy density, and ease of production and use compared to hydrogen. However, the DMFC has numerous technical hurdles that prevent its widespread adoption into the commercial market. Namely, the slow reaction kinetics in the anode and the …

Fabrication And Performance Of Scalable Bio-Engineered Porous Layers For Efficient Co2 Capture, Mary Sharon Rose Bondugula

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation addresses the critical challenge of mitigating climate change by advancing CO2 capture technologies. As global CO2 emissions continue to rise, effective methods for capturing and separating CO2 from industrial processes are essential to combat climate change. Existing CO2 capture systems, such as Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) and Temperature Swing Adsorption (TSA), often rely on packed bed designs that face limitations, including poor heat and mass transfer, slow gas diffusion, and low thermal conductivity, reducing their efficiency. To overcome these challenges, this dissertation explores innovative solutions by developing advanced adsorbent coatings and scalable bed configurations.

This research begins by …

Synthesis And Doping Effects In Highly Conductive Chalcogenide Solid Electrolytes., Selim Halacoglu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Lithium and sodium ion batteries have been a vital component in the growth of small, portable electronic devices and EVs over the past 30 years. For future energy needs, changes to battery chemistry and composition will be necessary for two primary reasons: safer and higher energy batteries. Metal anodes have not seen widespread commercialization because of their propensity to react aggressively with the flammable liquid electrolytes commonly used in modern batteries. Non-flammable solid-state batteries (SSB) with solid electrolytes can safely be used with metal anodes, potentially providing a solution to both problems. The future perspective of safer battery is that …

Research On Strategies For High Quality Development Of New Power Systems, Xiaohong Chen, Junpeng Li, Yongmei Liu

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

New power systems are at a critical stage of transition from theory to implementation. Against the backdrop of accelerating global energy transformation and technological revolution, shifting the energy system from “scale-oriented” to “quality-driven” is both an urgent need and a key focus for advancing the high-quality development of China’s new power systems. This study employs a four-dimensional analytical framework integrating “technology-elements-industry-green transition” to identify the main challenges existing in the new power systems currently, including constraints in key technologies, imbalances in factor allocation, difficulties in industrial coordination, and instability in power supply structure. Targeted measures are proposed accordingly. (1) Strengthening …

Optimizing Electric Vehicle Fleet Integration In Industrial Demand Response: Maximizing Vehicle-To-Grid Benefits While Compensating Vehicle Owners For Battery Degradation, Andre Leippi, Markus Fleschutz, Kevin Davis, Anna-Lena Klingler, Michael D. Murphy

Publications

This paper addresses the integration of electric vehicle (EV) fleets into industrial smart grids to increase operational flexibility. It focuses on an extended multi-objective optimization problem that minimizes two primary objectives: (i) the electricity expenditure of a company using its employees’ EV batteries as temporary distributed energy storage, and (ii) the costs associated with the degradation of EV batteries, given the additional usage from the company’s perspective. In this paper, the utilization of an EV fleet is simulated at the individual car level over a one-year period. These optimization problems were balanced by using real-time electricity prices and the effective …

Development Of Multifunctional Wood Composites With Integrated Phase Change Materials For Enhanced Thermal Management, Self-Healing, And Sustainability., Emmanuel Igbokwe

LSU Master's Theses

Abstract

This study focused on incorporating self-healing, flame retardancy, and energy harvesting capabilities into the wood composite to contribute to more sustainable and energy-efficient building practices. Oriented strand board has been widely used as sheath for roofing or dry walls in residential buildings. Residential buildings account for a large portion of energy consumption. Therefore, an oriented strand board with energy harvesting capability is highly desired. Additionally, flame retardancy and damage self-healing and end-of-life recycling are also critical features for buildings.

In this study, we prepared a novel oriented strand board by constructing sandwich structures. The face sheets of the sandwich …

Smuggling Of Person By Sea In Southeast Asia : From Regional Perspective, Sovisal Srey

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

3d Printed Microfluidic Fabrication Methodology, Characterization, Mechanical Design, And Applications In Electrostatic Artificial Muscles And Benthic Microbial Fuel Cells, Terak B. Hornik

Master's Theses

The fabrication of microfluidic devices often requires specialized methods. The development of these methods requires careful characterization and understanding of the processes involved. Using primarily PolyJet 3D printing technology, microfluidics offers a wide scope of applications such as microfluidic benthic microbial fuel cells (MBMFCs) and electrostatic artificial muscles. MBMFCs benefit from the confinement of the microbes resulting in close proximity between the electrode and the organisms. Using a modular design called the Sponge, assembly and upscaling is possible. Electrostatic artificial muscles benefit from a microfluidic approach due to the non-linearity of electrostatic attraction creating disproportionate benefits when miniaturized. When designed …

Thermal Management For Optimal Performance Of Unitized Regenerative Fuel Cells, Mythy T. Tran

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

As the race to net zero energy intensifies around the world, hydrogen production and fuel cell technologies are attracting more attention, and the technologies are growing rapidly. Together, hydrogen production and fuel cell technologies hold potential for a reliable, green, and sustainable energy system. Hydrogen is an excellent energy carrier and can be produced from various sources, especially green and renewable sources. Fuel cells generate electricity and water from hydrogen and oxygen. In reverse mode, fuel cells operate as electrolyzers to produce hydrogen and oxygen from electricity and water. However, the major drawback that keeps hydrogen and fuel cells from …

Electrified Membrane For Water Treatment And Resource Recovery: Advancing Multiscale Strategies In Gas-Involving Reactions, Jianan Gao

Dissertations

Multifunctional, modular, and scalable water treatment technologies that operate without chemical additives are crucial for addressing global water pollution challenges. While traditional membrane-based separation processes are crucial for ensuring clean water supplies, they primarily focus on pollutant removal rather than on the upcycling of pollutants into valuable resources. Electrified membrane filtration presents a robust alternative, utilizing minimal or no chemical additives and harnessing electrical power to directly reduce contaminants or produce reactive oxidants or reductants on-site.

This dissertation is dedicated to the development of innovative electrochemically reactive membranes designed to address three major challenges: (1) the engineering of electrocatalysts with …

Recent Evolution In Thermochemical Transformation Of Municipal Solid Wastes To Alternate Fuels, Tumpa R. Sarker, Lucky Khatun, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Rostom Ali, Shariful Islam, Sagor Chowdhury, Kazi Sakibur Rahman, Nafis Sadique Sayem, Akm S. Rahman

Publications and Research

The management of solid waste poses a worldwide obstacle in the pursuit of a sustainable society. This issue has intensified with the increase in waste production caused by rapid population expansion, industrialization, and urbanization. The continuously growing volume of municipal solid waste, particularly the substantial volume of organic waste, along with improper disposal practices, results in the release of greenhouse gases and other harmful airborne substances which simultaneously causes health risks and socioeconomic concerns. This article examines various waste-to-energy (energy production in the form of heat and electricity) concepts as well as waste-to-materials (various value-added materials including biofuel, biochemical, char, …

Capacitive Sensors With Ultra-Small Capacitance For Smart Measurement And Control Systems, Rustam Baratov, Farrux Jabbor O'G'Li Ko'charov

Chemical Technology, Control and Management

This article discusses methods of low capacitance measurement of capacitive sensors. The results of the study of the amplitude-frequency (AF) and phase-frequency (PF) response of measurement circuits of capacitive sensors for low capacitances measurement, consisting of RC - differentiating elements are presented. The input and output parameters of the differentiating circuit and the complex transfer function are analyzed. The research results show that low capacitances measurement by measuring the rectangular pulses duration is the most effective measurement method.

Modeling The Influence Of Internal Factors On Vehicular Mobility Performance, Aziz Mdimi

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Traffic mobility is significantly influenced by road conditions and the internal factors governing vehicular performance. Internal factors play a crucial role in vehicular mobility, influencing vehicles operate and performance. While existing vehicular mobility models primarily address external factors, external factors such as governor, engine, gear train and differential unit remain underexplored. This study formulates a comprehensive model to address this gap, focusing on the internal components that affect vehicular mobility. The proposed model employs both analytical and numerical methods to derive transfer functions for these subsystems using Matrix Laboratory (MATLAB), aiming to capture the dynamic behavior of vehicles under various …

Necessity Of Education For Efficient And Sustainable Production And Consumption Of Energy In Tanzania, George Kahangwa

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

This paper reports the findings of a study that was conducted in Tanzania to grasp how the policies, plans and curricula at different levels of education accommodate knowledge gathered on energy to support the fostering of energy education. The study interrogated what necessitates the inclusion of energy education into the curricula in Tanzania. Subscribing to a qualitative approach, the study employed a desk research method to review curricula and other documents guiding secondary and university level education in the country. The study found out that heightening people’s consumption of energy for domestic and industrial purposes constituted the main issue that …

A Case Study On Optimizing Industrial Air Conditioning With Thermal Solar Energy In Egypt, Tamer Adel Mohamed, Hesham Safwat, Mohammed A. Ebaid

Mechanical Engineering

This study investigates the feasibility of implementing a solar-assisted adsorption chiller in an industrial building at the Oriental Weavers International factory located in 10th of Ramadan City, Cairo, Egypt. The objective is to replace an inefficient split air conditioning system currently used to cool the Jacquard units during carpet manufacturing. The research begins by analyzing the performance of the existing cooling system to establish a baseline. It then explores the potential energy savings achievable by replacing the current system with a solar-assisted adsorption chiller. The existing oversized boiler will serve as an auxiliary heater for the new system. TRNSYS simulation …

Direct Evaporative Cooling For Sustainability And Environmental Conservation, Hesham Safwat, Iman El-Mahallawi

Mechanical Engineering

This work presents the results of experimental work on cellulose cooling pads with honeycomb structure to study their evaporative cooling effect which is one of the partial solutions for achieving the SDG goals 2030. The paper outlines vari ous types of evaporative cooling materials, highlighting their distinctions and potential applications. Furthermore, it offers a comparative analysis of the cooling effects between wide hole and narrow hole cellulose cooling pads, both individually and in combination. The experimental setup results are thoroughly examined to provide insights into the performance of the cooling pads. Results showed up that direct evaporative cooling have a …

Energy And Environmental Analyses Of A Solar–Gas Turbine Combined Cycle With Inlet Air Cooling, Ahmad M. Abubaker, Adnan Darwish Ahmad, Binit B. Singh, Yaman M. Manaserh, Loiy Al-Ghussain

Institute of Research for Technology Development Faculty Publications

Sensitivity to ambient air temperatures, consuming a large amount of fuel, and wasting a significant amount of heat dumped into the ambient atmosphere are three major challenges facing gas turbine power plants. This study was conducted to simultaneously solve all three aforementioned GT problems using solar energy and introducing a new configuration that consists of solar preheating and inlet-air-cooling systems. In this study, air was preheated at a combustion chamber inlet using parabolic trough collectors. Then, inlet air to the compressor was cooled by these collectors by operating an absorption cooling cycle. At the design point conditions, this novel proposed …

A Country-Level Primary-Final-Useful (Cl-Pfu) Energy And Exergy Database: Overview Of Its Construction And 1971–2020 World-Level Efficiency Results, Paul E. Brockway, Matthew Kuperus Heun, Zeke Marshall, Emmanuel Aramendia, Paul Steenwyk, Thomas Relph, Michelle Widjanarko, Jeonghoo (James) Kim, Anjana Sainju, Julian Irtube

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

Societal exergy analysis examines the flows of energy and exergy through societies, from primary (e.g. oil) to final (e.g. gasoline) to useful (e.g. propulsion) energy stages. By extending the study of energy to the useful stage, new insights into the under-represented role of energy in economic growth have been made. However, currently (a) country coverage is patchy and incomplete, (b) available data are based on varying methods and assumptions including efficiencies based on economic rather than engineering data, and (c) datasets are constructed using piecemeal computational approaches. To address these gaps, we construct a country-level primary-final-useful (CL-PFU) energy and exergy …

Rapid Composter, Cate Seay, Clarisbet De Jesus, Lesley Milena Estrada, Reese Dennett

Mechanical Engineering

This Final Design Review documents the efforts of a team of mechanical engineering students from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo as they work towards completing their assigned senior design project. This team was tasked with designing and developing an onsite rapid composter for the Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast. The selected design concept that will be explained focuses on creating a composter that is child-safe, portable, weatherproof, solar-powered, and requires minimal manual user input. This report will not only provide a detailed description of the chosen design but will also supply an extensive design justification. This mainly …

Ross Dam Micro Hydro Project, Marirose Evenden, Tyler Reents, Elena Ryan, Tevan Kim

Mechanical Engineering

The Ross Dam and reservoir in Angels Camp needs a reliable power source for powering its SCADA system which monitors its water level and flow rate. Currently, the existing hydro power supply is very unreliable and needs to be replaced with a micro hydro generator system that can consistently produce power to charge the onsite batteries. This paper details the design and implementation of a micro hydro Pelton wheel replacement system designed by our senior project team.

Outlined in this report is our design overview of the system and how our project will redesign and optimize the use of the …

2024 Marine Energy Collegiate Competition, Nora Riedinger, Miles Mikkelsen, Brendan Stratford, Derek Tom, Zach Kwast, Harmon Yanikian-Sutton, Kennedy Urcelay, Tori Thomas, Brady Caron

Mechanical Engineering

PolyWave Energy is the second team from California Polytechnic University at San Luis Obispo to compete in the Marine Energy Collegiate Competition. PolyWave Energy consists of Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Business Administration students who have worked together from September 2023 to May 2024 on designing, building, and testing a marine power device to serve a selected market.

In response to the escalating concerns surrounding carbon emissions, climate change, and the depletion of fossil fuels, California Polytechnic State University’s Polywave Energy team has developed a sustainable and reliable energy source for Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) charging. Through extensive research of …

Facility Thermal Balance And Transport, Giovanni V. Minnite, Silas O R Goldfarb, Cole J. Houston, Dominique Aguilera, Cole M. Silva

Mechanical Engineering

This Final Design Review (FDR) report outlines the senior design project completed by a team of five mechanical engineering students at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo for Senior Industrial Engineer, Mr. Tom Bass, of Entegris, Inc. The team developed an innovative system to address the issue of ice accumulation on cryogenic vaporizers at the Entegris facility. Ice buildup, caused by the extremely low temperatures of the cryogenic fluid, reduces the efficiency of vaporizers and places additional stress on the system. To combat this, the team designed and constructed a prototype that utilizes a thermal transport loop to transfer …

A Computational Investigation Of Wood Selection For Acoustic Guitar, Jonah Osterhus

Senior Honors Theses

The acoustic guitar is a stringed instrument, often made of wood, that transduces vibrational energy of steel strings into coupled vibrations of the wood and acoustic pressure waves in the air. Variations in wood selection and instrument geometry have been shown to affect the timbre of the acoustic guitar. Computational methods were utilized to investigate the impact of material properties on acoustic performance. Sitka spruce was deemed the most suitable wood for guitar soundboards due to its acoustic characteristics, strength, and uniform aesthetic. Mahogany was deemed to be the best wood for the back and sides of the guitar body …

Estimation Of Useful-Stage Energy Returns On Investment For Fossil Fuels And Implications For Renewable Energy Systems, Emmanuel Aramendia, Paul E. Brockway, Peter G. Taylor, Jonathan B. Norman, Matthew K. Heun, Zeke Marshal;

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

The net energy implications of the energy transition have so far been analysed at best at the final energy stage. Here we argue that expanding the analysis to the useful stage is crucial. We estimate fossil fuelsʼ useful-stage energy returns on investment (EROIs) over the period 1971–2020, globally and nationally, and disaggregate EROIs by end use. We find that fossil fuelsʼ useful-stage EROIs (~3.5:1) are considerably lower than at the final stage (~8.5:1), due to low final-to-useful efficiencies. Further, we estimate the final-stage EROI for which electricity-yielding renewable energy would deliver the same net useful energy as fossil fuels (EROI …

An Integrated Resource Planning Proposal For Tucson Electric Power, Valeria Bernal

Master's Projects and Capstones

An integrated resource plan (IRP) is crucial for utilities to determine the most cost-efficient energy resources while considering system reliability, environmental impact, and regulatory requirements. VitalsparK developed an IRP for Tucson Electric Power (TEP) to transition its current 70% thermal and 30% renewable energy portfolio, emitting 740 grams of CO2 per kWh, toward carbon neutrality by 2050. The proposed plan involves retiring existing infrastructure, adding 8 GW of renewable and storage capacity, and incorporating 2.5 GW of net-zero natural gas power plants. VitalsparK presented two scenarios: the Reference (REF) Case, which focuses on the least-cost portfolio to meet demand through …

On The Right Track? Energy Use, Carbon Emissions, And Intensities Of World Rail Transportation, 1840–2020, Bernardo Tostes, Sofia T. Henriques, Paul E. Brockway, Matthew Kuperus Heun, Tiago Domingos, Tânia Sousa

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

The history of rail transport can offer valuable insights for future energy transitions due to its importance in promoting clean mobility. There is a complex interplay between the evolution of the railway network, fuel consumption, efficiency, energy service, and CO2 emissions that requires further exploration. We developed a dataset that covers energy use in all stages of rail transportation, as well as the length of track, energy service, and CO2 emissions at the world scale. To deal with missing data we utilized machine learning techniques for the first time in a historical energy reconstruction study. Our analysis reveals that …