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Asa Parker Geovanny Rodriguez Jase Skellie

Cow Power MOM (Monitoring and Operating Module). Asa Parker Geovanny Rodriguez Jase Skellie. CVPS Contacts: David Dunn Rob Nelson. Faculty Mentor: Josh Bongard. CVPS Cow Power ™. A renewable energy program that supports Vermont dairy farms

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Asa Parker Geovanny Rodriguez Jase Skellie

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  1. Cow Power MOM(Monitoring and Operating Module) Asa Parker Geovanny Rodriguez Jase Skellie CVPS Contacts: David Dunn Rob Nelson Faculty Mentor: Josh Bongard

  2. CVPS Cow Power™ • A renewable energy program that supports Vermont dairy farms • On-site electricity generators run on methane from cow manure • Four farms produce 8 million KWh annually (enough for about 750 homes) • Provides a new income stream for farmers, while reducing manure odor and water quality impacts

  3. How digesters work…

  4. Our Project at Green Mountain Dairy • Collects system data from digester and displays it in farm office (~ 750 feet away) • Has an alarm system that notifies someone when there is a problem with the system (cell phone call)

  5. The Original Problem… • Monitoring system = manual inspection sensors • Many components can shut the system down – locating the problem is difficult • Adjusting generator output is a manual task learned through experience

  6. Design Goals • Display system data remotely • Gather necessary data to automate generator output adjustments • Create a self-diagnostic alarm system to alert someone when there is a problem

  7. Other GoalsThe solution needs to be: • Adaptable and expandable • User-friendly and appealing • Reliable – farmers need to trust the system

  8. Discarded Design Concepts Tablets Function: system data is displayed on tablet PCs, carried by farm workers Drawbacks: burdensome, reliability (range, battery life) Fax Function: system data is faxed to office at regular intervals Drawbacks: little improvement over existing solution, no alarm

  9. Smartphone Function: system data is displayed on smartphone, carried by farm workers Drawbacks: Expensive monthly access fees Web Site Function: system data is served to a Web site, accessible anywhere Drawbacks: limited alarming capability, security issues

  10. Design Road Map October 25, 2007: Final Concept

  11. Design Road Map October 25, 2007: Final Concept December 12, 2007: Autodialer discovered

  12. Design Road Map October 25, 2007: Final Concept December 13, 2007: PLC & QuickPanel quote received December 12, 2007: Autodialer discovered

  13. Design Road Map October 25, 2007: Final Concept December 13, 2007: PLC & QuickPanel quote received February 18, 2008: We’re going to need lots of help! December 12, 2007: Autodialer discovered

  14. Design Road Map March 27, 2008: Flow meters won’t work October 25, 2007: Final Concept December 13, 2007: PLC & QuickPanel quote received February 18, 2008: We’re going to need lots of help! December 12, 2007: Autodialer discovered

  15. Design Road Map March 27, 2008: Flow meters won’t work October 25, 2007: Final Concept December 13, 2007: PLC & QuickPanel quote received April 4, 2008: Watlow sensors don’t have outputs February 18, 2008: We’re going to need lots of help! December 12, 2007: Autodialer discovered

  16. Design Road Map April 15, 2008: Success!!! Proof of Concept March 27, 2008: Flow meters won’t work October 25, 2007: Final Concept December 13, 2007: PLC & QuickPanel quote received April 4, 2008: Watlow sensors don’t have outputs February 18, 2008: We’re going to need lots of help! December 12, 2007: Autodialer discovered

  17. Our Design

  18. The “brain” of the installed system • All sensor outputs collected here

  19. Sensitive to low flow rates, low pressure • Insertion style – least invasive, easy to install

  20. PLC = Programmable Logic Controller • Robust, Industrial strength computer

  21. Combines visualization and control (like a PC) • No hard drive, no moving parts = more reliable

  22. Converts text strings to speech • Automatically makes phone calls

  23. Range = 2 miles • Eliminated the need to bury 750 feet of cable

  24. Noting special, just an old PC • Only job is to display QuickPanel screenshot • System is completely functional without it

  25. What we would do next… • Fully integrate our project into the existing digester system • Add sensors • Set up a database/Web site

  26. Lessons Learned • Don’t be afraid to change a design • The most simple things can turn out to be the most complicated (and vice versa) • Don’t expect to get help from a company unless you: • Give them money • Pretend like you’re going to buy something from them

  27. A Special Thanks Robinson Sales, INC. The LEEN Company Kevin Mahoney Dave Dunn and Rob Nelson Josh Bongard Bill Rowell, owner of GMD

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