Determining Q values, Heat of Fusion, and Building a One Tank Thermal Storage System Dustin Meaux Louise High School Louise ISD Faculty Mentor: Dr: Cable Kurwitz Texas A&M University Nuclear Engineering Space Engineering Research Center and Interphase Transport Phenomena Laboratory

Project Background What are we doing? The project is an attempt to add nanoparticles to various solids and fluids to enhance the thermal properties Based on previous work with nanoparticles and water. This research is a combination of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering. Why research is being done? This project serves the Department of Energy, the National Renewable Energy Lab, and any company or corporation with an interest in thermal storage and advanced material. Can lead to fewer materials in solar plants, which then transfers to cost efficiency. It can also offset cost of fossil fuels and hazards to the environment.

Heat exchanger

Understanding Sensible heat Understanding Latent heat of fusion Understanding how a solar power plant functions. –Understand how nanoparticles can asset the functioning of power plants using heat transfer fluid. –Replicate the functioning of a solar power plant at night –Build a one tank, one fluid system and thermocline Goals in the Classroom

TEKS 4) A-D, 5) A-C, 12) A-C, 13) B&C TAKS Obj 1) 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 3A, Obj 4) 7A, 7D, 7E, 8C, 9B, 9D Obj 5) 4A, 6B, 6D TEKS / TAKS

Overview of Classroom Activity The classroom activity will be spread over 2 days, fit in the curriculum, be primarily lab based. Day 1 –Pre-test –Background information into what engineers do –Background into what sensible and latent heat is. –Understand and practically apply equations to the lab information. Day 2 –Use information from Day 1 and apply into the engineering of a heat transfer system. –Understand the rigor and restrictions involved in a real world based problem in the engineering field –Be practical and efficient

Part 1 – 15 minutes Finding the “Q” Value – Understanding Sensible Heat (Heating with no phase change) Materials: –Stopwatch –Thermometer –Stirring rod –250 mL beaker –Hotplate Procedure: –Heat water to 50 C periodically taking measurements as the heat rises. –Chart information using an Excel graph to find the “y” value –Multiply the ‘y” value by the specific heat of water (4180 Joules / kg*degrees K) to find the “Q” value in Watts. –This also calibrates machine, do not move dial. Unplug to turn off. Part 2 – 20 minutes Understanding Latent Heat of Fusion (h fg ) Materials: –Stopwatch –Thermometer –Stirring rod –250 mL beaker –Hotplate –Cube of ice –Scale/TBB Procedure: –Leave water from previous experiment at 50 C –Mass the original pieces of ice and record. –Place in water and start timer. –mass the ice every minute and record until the ice is completely melted. –graph measurements –Now we are finding h(fg) Lesson 1 Sensible Heat and Latent Heat of Fusion

Lesson 2 Build a Thermal Storage System Students will demonstrate practical application in understanding conductivity, specific heat, efficiency, and cost effectiveness of thermal storage systems. Materials: –Thermometer –Stirring rod –500 mL beaker –Hotplate –Scale/TBB –Copper tubing –Rubber tubing –Sesame oil or vegetable oil –Lead shot –Copper BB’s –Aluminum ? –Glass Marbles ? Procedures –Use copper tubing to build passage for heat transfer fluid. Must fit in 500 mL beaker –Build your system to be as efficient and as inexpensive as possible 500 mL limit on total tank volume Materials cost specific amounts, you have a $100 limit Must use at least one extra material Document what you use and its quantities –Calculate flow rate –Calculate specific heat of the entire tank –Charge the system for 10 minutes only! (1 day) –Attach cold water, take initial measurements, and begin timer –Measure water return once a minute until gets back to original temperature. –Measure final oil temperature –Calculate the sum of the Q value for the temperature of the water. –Calculate energy in the system –The total output should be the same as the energy stored in the system

Cold Water Supply Pump Flow Regulator

Outlet Inlet

Pre- and Post- Test Questions What is sensible heat? What is Latent Heat? What is Heat of Fusion? What is the equation to find heat energy in a system? What is specific heat? What is a thermocline? Name two types of concentrating solar power plants. What does HTF stand for?

Acknowledgments Dr. Cable Kurwitz Dr. Mike Schuller Dr. Frank Little Dr. Deb Banerjee Matt Bess E3 Program – E3 Staff National Science Foundation Nuclear Power Institute Texas Workforce Commission Chevron Space Engineering Research Center Interphase Transport Phenomena Laboratory National Renewable Energy Laboratory Department of Energy