Team 10 ME Project: Air Conditioner Lab

1. Team 10ME Project: Air Conditioner Lab MembersCustomerAdvisor Sean M. Gallagher, Brian Davison U of D ME Department Dr. Keefe Prathana Vannarath, Pam McDowell Dr. Wexler Mission: Design a set of thermodynamic and heat transfer experiments for the University of Delaware Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Laboratory, using a window air conditioner, that will be completed by April for approximately $4000. Approach: Determine the nature of the problem by identifying customer(s) and their wants, needs and constraints. Then benchmark to identify competitors, metrics and possible solutions. Generate concepts; compare, eliminate, expand and synthesize possible solutions based on the metrics. Proceed to a Go/No-Go review of the concepts. Build and test a prototype.

2. Project Background • ME 2000 Curriculum • Joint Laboratory Classes • Combined Thermodynamics II and Heat Transfer Lab • Single lab apparatus for multiple labs • Increased understanding of Thermodynamic and Heat Transfer fundamentals

3. Hardware Develop a lab apparatus using a window air conditioner and sensors Develop a Data Acquisition Program Lab Experiments Develop a set of experiments that include a variety of Thermodynamic and Heat Transfer Principles Problem Description

5. Effective learning tool Easy to Use Self Evident Easy to set up Cost Effectiveness Easy fabrication LabView compatible data acquisition Forgiving of incompetence Quiet Quick Customers Wants • Dr. Wexler • Dr. Advani • Undergraduate studentsGraduate students • Dr. Sun • George Sestak from ASHRAE • Manufacturers: Hampden, Armfield Ltd. • Other Schools: Georgia Tech, Penn State

6. Constraints (Prioritized) • Portable • Schedule dictated by NCDA • Budget set by Sponsor • Dr Keefe set by himself

7. Systems Benchmarking(Competitors) • Hampden Basic Refrigeration Cycle Trainer • Hampden Basic Refrigeration Cycle and Heat Pump Trainer • Hampden Refrigeration Demonstrator • Hampden Heat Pump Trainer • Armfield Heat Exchanger Training Equipment Series • Armfield Heat Transfer Teaching Equipment Series • Armfield Temperature Measurement Bench

8. Easy to Use Visible Components Accessible Components Cost Effectiveness Low initial price Low operating cost Durable Parts availability MetricsHardware

9. Quiet Low noise level Target value of 60 dB Easy Maintenance Parts visibility Parts availability Easy to set up Time Target value 15 minutes Self Contained Hardware Cont’d

10. Self Evident Clear Lessons/Objectives Logical Procedure Effective Learning Tool Fun Number of Fundamentals Clear Lessons/Objectives Real World Connection to Students Keeps Students’ Interests Hands-on/Interactive MetricsLab Experiments

11. Quick Time Target Value within set lab time (2 hrs) Multiple Purposes Number of Fundamentals used Combination of Thermodynamic and Heat Transfer Principles Lab Experiments Cont’d

12. Preliminary Functional Benchmarking

13. 5 - 8 Experiments Easy to set up More effective learning tool than  Multiple Purposes One Experiment using different sensors Not an effective learning tool Difficult to set up Lab Experiment Concepts

14. 14 Experiments Easy to set up More Effective learning tool than  Multiple Purposes Lab Experiment Concepts Cont’d

15. Thermodynamic Fundamentals • Expansion Valve • Compressor • Condenser Coil • Evaporator Coil • Phase Changes: Liquid Vapor Liquid • Coefficient of Performance • Diagrams: T-s and P-h • Psychrometric Chart

16. Heat Transfer Fundamentals • Convection • Conduction • Radiation

17. Wanted to be here: Generated Concepts Researching Functional Benchmarking Researched Effective Learning Tools Researched Safety Issues Generating Lab Experiments We are here: Generated Preliminary Concepts Started Functional Benchmarking Researching Effective learning tools Researched Safety issues Beginning Lab Write-ups ActualProgress

18. Sean Heat Transfer Labs Variables Knowns Unknowns Equations Possible overlap between labs Pam Thermodynamics Labs Variables Knowns Unknowns Equations Possible overlap between labs Division Of Labor

19. Prathana Ambassador of Educational Prowess Continue to investigate various methods of teaching Determine criteria for evaluating educational effectiveness of each lab Apply criteria to each individual experiment Brian Locate and obtain window AC unit from UD housing to be used as a reference Determine which brands of AC units best fit our wants Division Of Labor (Cont’d)

20. Week of 10/26 Evaluate variables and equations conduction expansion valve compressor Research, organize, and classify various methods of teaching Obtain free or really cheap AC unit from Week of 11/2 Evaluate variables and equations convection condenser coil evaporator coil Determine criteria to evaluate educational effectiveness of each lab Determine where in AC unit sensors could be placed for labs conduction expansion valve compressor Detailed 4 Week Outlook

21. Week of 11/9 Evaluate variables and equations Radiation Phase changes Coefficient of performance Where to place sensors convection condenser coil evaporator coil Educational Effectivness convection condenser coil evaporator coil Week of 11/16 Evaluate variables and equations Diagrams: T-s and P-h Psychrometric Chart Where to place sensors Radiation Phase changes Coefficient of performance Educational effectiveness radiation Phase changes Coefficient of performance Detailed 4 Week Outlook (Cont’d)

22. Generic Schedule Overview • December • Finish evaluating each of our lab concepts against our metrics • January • Sleep • February • Compare lab concepts against maximum overlap of sensor position optimum set of experiments • Determine AC unit to be used in the experiments • March • Send AC unit away to have sensors installed • April • Finishing touches

23. Preliminary Budget

24. Concluding Remarks