1. 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)

2. 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

3. Our Team

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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?

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

8. 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

9. 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

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

11. Project Schedule

12. 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

13. 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

15. Risk Management

16. 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?

17. Questions For Us?

18. 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