C. S. Wei

WASTE GEOTHERMAL HOT WATER FOR ENHANCED OUTDOOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION

In Iceland there is a super abundance of waste hot water from geothermal power plants. Some of this is re-purposed (sequentially used) for district heating and heated swimming pools. This vast underused energy source can also enable the growth of out of zone plants, enhance agricultural production by 20% and extend the growing season. The authors have developed and field tested an energy intensive shallow system of bottom heat using the existing heated sidewalk materials. Tomatoes that do not survive outdoors in Iceland have produced ripe fruit. A zucchinis harvest was documented and the test banana plant was still alive in September after the first frost. These plants all died in the control garden which had the same piping system, and identical soil types and depths. Heat transfer data, infrared analysis and plant growth data were gathered to preliminarily document and quantify the system’s viability and market potentials.Copyright

Developing a Methodology for Measuring the Comparative Energy Efficiency of Elevators

Existing elevator systems are upgraded approximately every 20 years, providing an opportunity for energy reduction upgrades. This demands complicated analysis because elevators consume energy while at idle and in lifting modes. Traffic patterns, loads and building usage must also be considered in addition to energy recovering potentials. An objective and inclusive measurement methodology for measuring elevator energy efficiency is essential for a valid cost benefit analysis. The necessary requirements for a workable system and a usable first generation solution are presented.© 2013 ASME

Design of a Low-Power Quadruped Robot for Remote Data Acquisition in a Heated Garden

The authors have developed test beds heated green roofs in New York City and geothermal heated gardens in Iceland using waste heat. A thermoelectric generator developed by the authors for these gardens currently provides more than 6 watts of steady state power. This sustainable power source is independent from the grid and is used for web cameras. The test beds need a mobile, web-accessible robot platform for additional monitoring that is battery-charged by the thermoelectric generator. This robot’s power consumption must match the constraints of the thermoelectric generator’s output.This paper presents the design and construction of a low-power walking quadruped robotic platform with a specifically designed walking algorithm. The robot will eventually provide the needed web accessible remote monitoring and maintenance capabilities for the test beds. Remote supervision and control of multiple heated green roofs and heated gardens will be possible from a central location.Copyright

Design and Construction of a Heated Garden System Utilizing Steam Condensate From an On Site Boiler

Municipal District Heating Services and Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems can produce waste heat in the form of steam condensate and hot water. The authors have demonstrated (IMECE2014-39066) the potential of open field heating of green roofs to reduce thermal pollution, save potable water, and while increasing plant growth. Subsequent research in both Iceland and New York City using similar systems has resulted in the growth of out of region plants. The latest plant growth results are detailed.The latest research has indicated additional potential impediments, including the need for an additional CHP system pump. A thorough structural analysis on existing older roofs is necessary to avoid an overstressed roof. Substantial UV shielding of the plastic piping and upgrading of the pipes from braided PVC to PEX(a) was also needed.The details of selecting an appropriate heat exchanger were analyzed for a specific building and associated construction details are provided.Copyright

Developing a Methodology for Comparing the Energy Efficiency of Hydraulic and Traction Elevators

Traction elevators are hoisted by wire rope cables and hydraulic elevators are pushed by pressurized hydraulic fluid. Previous work published in IMEC2013-66663 presented methodologies for only traction elevator energy analysis. Many of the elevators in the USA are hydraulic. An objective and inclusive measurement methodology is needed for comparing energy efficiency of these two elevator systems for a valid cost benefit analysis. In this paper, the necessary requirements for a workable system for energy analysis are presented along with case study results. The previously presented elevator energy equations have evolved from simple kilogram-meters to watt-seconds for a more conventional energy analysis.Copyright

Designing and Installing a Retrofit Heated Green Roof Using Either Co-Gen Waste Hot Water or Municipal Waste Steam Heat as Energy Source

Municipal District Heating Services and Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems can produce waste heat in the form of steam condensate and hot water. The authors have developed a system to use this thermal pollution to heat the soil and growth medium of green roofs and outdoor gardens. The system enables plant life to survive colder climates and increases growth often in excess of 20% (Power2013-98172). In New York City test heated green roofs, the system can save vast amounts of normally required cooling water that is tapped from the overburdened municipal supply (IMECE2013-65200).Existing small scale green roofs in New York City and larger scale heated green roof retrofit in New York City is presented to indicate additional construction details, thermal considerations, and potential code compliance considerations.Copyright

A Web-Accessible Robotics Monitoring System Powered by a Thermoelectric Generator Connected to a Battery

In small source power generation scenarios in industrial or remote settings a viable small electrical supply for security and monitoring systems is often problematic due to the variability of the energy sources and the stability of the power generated. These small scale systems lack the advantages of a larger power grid. Therefore peak power requirements can be beyond the power generator necessitating energy storage such as batteries. The authors have developed and documented a reliable thermoelectric generator and a test bed. The generator was combined with a battery in order to meet peak power requirements beyond the unassisted range of the generator. This paper presents a test case result with the thermoelectric generator powering a complete web accessible mobile robot system. The robot system can be used for monitoring, physical manipulation of the environment, routine maintenance and in emergencies.Copyright

Repurposing Waste Steam and Hot Water to Accelerate Plant Growth in Heated Green Roofs

Municipal steam district heating services such as New York City’s Consolidated Edison’s have no recirculation system. The waste heat, usually in the form of steam condensate and hot water, is mixed with and cooled by municipal potable water. Since 2006, The Center for Innovation and Applied Technology and The Laboratory for Energy Reclamation and Innovation at the Cooper Union have been developing a system to use this thermal pollution to heat the growth medium of green roofs. The authors have also constructed three geothermal heated gardens systems in Iceland. American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) specifications for heated sidewalks were referenced in all locations.The heated green roofs have the potential to save more than 2,000,000 cubic meters of potable water if applied to 40% of Consolidated Edison’s steam customers. Plant growth is often accelerated by 20% or more in all locations.Copyright

Thermoelectric-Based Power Generator for Powering Microcontroller Based Security Camera

This paper presents the design, implementation and evaluation of a thermoelectric-based point of use power generation system with no moving parts. The power system was designed to be robust and stable, capable of being clamped onto the outer wall of a hot steam pipe with a temperature of over 160°C using only heat pipes and natural convection of ambient air for cooling.Several systems were built and tested. One system was built and tested at the Cooper Union in New York City. The power generation was evaluated for different ambient and steam pipe temperatures. The other systems were attached to an 85°C geothermal hot water pipe and a 100–120°C geothermal steam pipe in Iceland. The Cooper Union system was used to power two microcontroller based security cameras, one with wireless LAN and another with cellular connectivity. Additional testing of the PV voltage controller and the generator were conducted in Iceland.The results show that the system can be used to power surveillance systems, even in remote locations without access to the electrical grid. Because the system does not require grid access, it will run constantly, and hence improve security. Furthermore, the unit’s power generation is greater in colder environments that substantially degrade battery performance.Copyright