Test Rig to Characterize Biochar Housing Materials P16486 Test Rig to Characterize Biochar Housing Materials Notes from Mock Review (P16551) current products? stakeholders? use scenarios most important CR’s (to test temp/humid and run tests)

Agenda - Design Review Introduction of Our Team Background Problem Statement Desired State Ithaka Institute Benefits Deliverables Use Scenarios Risk Management Project Plan Any clarifications/modifications by customer

Our Team

Background What is Biochar? Pros & Cons Ithaka Institute Previous research completed MSD Projects P16485 & P16487 Biochar What is it? charcoal used as soil amendment made from biomass via pyrolysis (= thermal decomposition of organic material at elevated temperature in the absence of oxygen. Pros First of all, it is found everywhere: in cherries, plants, etc. Good for the environment! The use of biochar lowers CO2 emissions. It can absorb a lot of water as well as smells that are not pleasant to have around Low thermal conductivity Cons It’s use can lead to soil degradation It is not economically viable..yet Ithaka Institute: Non- profit research company based in Switzerland and Rochester based on carbon sequestration Performs research on Biochar as a substitute for coal Has already conducted tests with biochar, and is looking into the possibility of using char-clay, to try and improve the poor insulated houses already out there. Kathleen Draper confirmed the Customer Requirements

Problem Statement Project Goal Constraints What we expect to see Design/Test Testing Rig Temperature and humidity Constraints Budget Subsystem Dimensional What we expect to see So our project goal is to design and test a testing rig to characterize biochar in housing materials and compare it to standard housing materials So what does this mean? We need to build a test apparatus to test and display how good of a job Biochar does at acting like a standard housing material. This will include a particular focus on measuring changes in temperature and humidity… from atmospheric conditions to the indoor conditions Some of the project constraints we have, however, include: A rather tight budget of $500 It must be portable and small enough to fit through any door It must be self-powered as well as be able to withstand outdoor climates for an allotment of time From our test rig and following tests, we expect to see That since it has a low thermal conductivity, which means it should be a great insulator, but that it can also absorb a lot of the humidity Provided the extended research the Ithaka Institute has done on Biochar in building materials, we expect to see that essentially, Biochar IS a good housing material and it is revolutionary in the sustainability field! If the results do not come back positive, we hope that our results could save the Ithaka Institute on future development expenditure

Customer Requirements Secure different types of materials for testing Control & analyze internal and external temperatures over a period of time. Control & analyze internal and external humidity ratios over a period of time. Ability to test in controlled or ambient environments Switch between controlled and ambient conditions with ease Ability to test the effects of wall watering Water cycles Ability to test the effects of airflow Can Self Powered not be used for week long tests?

Customer Requirements Self-powered Sufficient data storage capacity Conduct tests lasting one to three weeks long Portable - moved easily indoor and outdoor

Design Concept Originally 2-D Wall with 1-D conduction tests Changed to 3-D cube for a more accurate model 20” x 12” x 12” Environmental Test Chamber Temp, humidity and time control based on input Data from inside and outside of the cube Excel Spreadsheet for fast analysis

Desired State - Engineering Requirements Environmental Chamber Secures Material Separates outside and test conditions Air Conditioning/Heater System Controls temperature in chamber Does not change humidity level Fan for Airflow Humidifying System Controls humidity in chamber Does not change temperature Wet Wall System Relays Valves Pipes Nozzle 1.758 kw = 0.5 ton

Stakeholders Customer-Kathleen Draper and Ithika Institute MSD I Team Construction Workers Homeowners

Project Schedule

Project Plan: 3 Week Forecast Clarity on some aspects to proceed with project work. System Design early stages Identify Subsystems CAD Drawings (Solid Works) Machining Options Functional Analysis Subsystem Identification Concept Table Support resources Schedule- activities, relationships, timing

Project Deliverables Design and testing documentation Working Environmental Test Rig → Monitor and controls Automatic temperature/humidity control Sensor samples every 15+/- minutes Develop mold for quick fabrication of test materials EZ Pour mold Instructions Analysis Spreadsheet → Excel template to load .csv file Open .csv file with Excel and template auto populates Time domain graphs for inside/outside temperature and humidity

Risk Management

Questions We Have - for you Do you think GIS would provide us with pre-made biochar housing material? Or would they just provide solely Biochar? Are we doing tests for the Ithaka Institute or doing preliminary tests and handing it over?

Questions For Us?

SPLITTING UP Introduction of Our Team - ALL Background - SARI Problem Statement - KIM Desired State - Prasanna Stakeholders - LB Deliverables - JIM Use Scenarios - JIM Risk Management - LB Project Plan - DOM Any clarifications/modifications by customer