Team 10 ME Project: Air Conditioner Lab Members Customer Advisor 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.

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

Problem Description 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

Customers Wants ¶Dr. Wexler ·Dr. Advani ¸Undergraduate students Graduate students ¹Dr. Sun ºGeorge Sestak from ASHRAE »Manufacturers: Hampden, Armfield Ltd. ¼ Other Schools: Georgia Tech, Penn State ¶Effective learning tool ·Easy to Use ¸Self Evident ¹Easy to set up ºCost Effectiveness »Easy fabrication ¼LabView compatible data acquisition ½Forgiving of incompetence ¾Quiet ¿Quick

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

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

Metrics Hardware Easy to Use –Visible Components –Accessible Components Cost Effectiveness –Low initial price –Low operating cost –Durable –Parts availability

Hardware Cont’d 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

Metrics Lab Experiments 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

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

Preliminary Functional Benchmarking

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

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

Heat Transfer Fundamentals Convection Conduction Radiation

Actual Progress 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

Division Of Labor 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 (Cont’d) 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

Detailed 4 Week Outlook 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 (Cont’d) 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

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

Preliminary Budget

Concluding Remarks