Marc Compere

Community development through a sustainable micro-business selling clean water

This paper presents an ongoing, multi-year, student-run project to provide access to clean water at specific, targeted communities in Haiti. Project Haiti is a yearly student research, design, fabrication, test, installation, and training effort at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) to deliver sustainable water purifiers and originate a companion micro-business to sell excess clean water to the community. Haitis rebuilding effort after the 2010 earthquake highlighted the need for sustainable development and cooperation among partnering NGOs in localized communities. Poorly managed relief and development efforts were characterized by lack of coordination, lack of local ownership, and resulting hardware and projects that were unsustainable. Lessons learned from the history of US-based aid to developing countries are taken into account each year. Specific criteria were developed for installation partner and community selection. Either a fully or partially solar-powered water purifier was installed in Haiti for operation by trained locals. Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) training was also implemented among the local community using a translator. This community development model is a short-term, focused, and specialized approach that brings in the right people to partner with an existing long-term organization. The goals and timeline for this Solution Focused approach are clear and well-defined.

A Solar-Powered Direct Steam Generation Boiler for an Educational Desktop Rankine Cycle

This paper presents the design and hardware validation of a unique solar powered boiler for powering a desktop scale steam Rankine power cycle. The primary purpose of the desktop Rankine cycle is to improve engineering education through a hands-on laboratory learning approach. Within this context, we have designed and validated a novel, glass-enclosed boiling chamber that generates steam entirely from the sun. Using a solar concentrator, the sun’s heat is focused onto an absorber plate that acts as a heating element. The absorber plate receives solar power via radiation and heats the working fluid through convection. Since this is a direct steam generation boiler, the entering fluid is water that stratifies upon boiling into two steady-state flow regions with both liquid and gaseous phases. A thermal model is developed to characterize the concentrated solar power (CSP), chamber geometry, and heat transfer to the working fluid. A complete solar-to-steam efficiency analysis is presented and validated with the hardware. The boiler’s estimated efficiency is 27.7% for converting typical daily solar irradiance to steam. The solar water boiling process can clearly be observed and is an excellent educational tool for both concentrated solar power as well as Rankine cycle power systems.Copyright

Phase-Change Material to Thermally Regulate Photovoltaic Panels to Improve Solar to Electric Efficiency

This paper investigates the use of phase-change material (PCM) for temperature regulation of a rack-mounted photovoltaic (PV) solar panel. PV panels exhibit a significant decrease in electrical efficiency as temperature trends higher. Current PV panels are approximately 10–16% efficient at harnessing incident solar irradiation into effective electrical power. The remaining solar irradiation that is not converted to electricity will heat the PV panel and decrease efficiency. Using PCM for temperature regulation and temporary heat storage in photovoltaic/thermal systems (PVT) is an emerging technology that has attracted attention recently. The PCM absorbs heat and regulates peak temperature, which allows the PV panel to operate at lower temperatures during peak solar conditions. Further, the waste heat stored in the PCM can be used for other applications. The main focus of this paper is to experimentally evaluate the heat dissipation of four different PCM containment configurations from a simulated PV panel.Copyright

Battery thermal management for hybrid electric vehicles using a phase-change material cold plate

A thermal management system for an energy storage device that includes a liquid-cooled cold plate made of phase-change material changeable from a substantially solid form to a substantially liquid form upon absorbing heat generated by the energy storage device. The system may be useful as a thermal management solution for energy storage systems (ESS) in hybrid-electric vehicles (HEV).

Sensorless Selective Catalytic Reduction Using Artificial Neural Networks for Emissions Prediction With Fuzzy Logic Control

The transportation industry is a major contributor to the increase of greenhouse gasses present in the atmosphere. With the number of automobiles increasing every year, the U.S. government has implemented several regulations to reduce the environmental impact of the transportation industry. The most recent regulations increase the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) to over 50mpg by 2025. These increased fuel economy standards will save consumers money, reduce dependence on foreign oil and cut GHG emissions in half (1). In order to comply with these regulations and reduce GHG emissions, automakers are improving powertrain efficiency and diversifying their fuel sources. One way automakers are improving fleet fuel economy is by offering more efficient Compression Iginition (CI) engines. Compression ignition engines can have a 10% improvement in peak efficiency over a Spark Ignition (SI) Engine. Although CI engines have higher efficiencies, they also have higher Nitrous Oxide (NOx) emissions. One of the most effective methods for reducing NOx emissions is a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system. Current methods for reducing NOx emissions using SCR rely on two NOx sensors for close loop control. These sensors add substantial costs to the production exhaust after treatment systems. This paper presents an intelligent control technique to achieve accurate prediction of NOx emissions and closed loop control without the use of expensive on board sensors. Simulation models were created to validate two artificial neural networks that aim to replace the upstream and downstream NOx sensors. The upstream neural network was trained using dynamometer data from a General Motors 1.3l turbo diesel engine. This neural network represented NOx emissions as a function of engine speed and throttle position. The downstream ANN was created using a nonlinear statespace plant model that simulates the catalyst NOx and nh3 reaction. To control the nh3 injection into the catalyst, a Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC) was implemented. The FLC controller had two inputs: the error function calculated from the output NOx and a predetermined NOx target as well as the predicted surface coverage from the nh3 reaction. The results from steady state and drive cycle simulations are shown. The work presented in this paper serves as a proof of concept for the sensorless SCR system that was developed as part of ERAU’s entry in EcoCAR2: Plugging Into the Future. The simulations were conducted as part of year 1 of the EcoCAR2 competition and will be further developed during years 2 and 3 on ERAU’s Series Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle.Copyright

A Fluid Flow Characterization Device for an Educational Desktop Learning Module

This paper presents the design and testing of a fluid loss characterization device for use in engineering education as a classroom or laboratory demonstration in a core curriculum fluid dynamics course. The design is specifically tailored for clear demonstration of the abstract concept of fluid loss in a way that supports collaborative, hands-on, active, and problem-based learning.This stand-alone device is intended as a prototype for a Desktop Learning Module (DLM) cartridge. The DLM module framework was developed by engineering educators at Washington State University as part of a collaborative NSF-sponsored program. The fluid loss characterization device was sponsored by the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Honors Program in Daytona Beach, Florida.The purpose of the experiment is to have students determine the loss coefficients and friction factors of different piping components in a fluid flow system. The experiment involves measuring volumetric flowrate changes in the system due to the introduction of minor and major losses. A pump circulates water at a specified rate tunable by the students to achieve a steady state flow condition. Height sensors report tank heights and a flow meter shows volumetric flow rate which is verifiable with student’s data collection. A graphical computer interface allows students to control pump rate and also reports tank height in real time. The computer and height sensors are not critical to the learning objectives and may be replaced with rulers and a potentiometer for motor control.The educational goals are for students to gain a better understanding of the transition between Bernoulli’s flow equation and the Energy equation, to study major and minor losses, and experimentally determine volumetric flowrate. Fluid flow loss concepts can be reinforced by experimentally verifying these concepts immediately after presenting them on the whiteboard.Educational assessments measuring gains with pre- and post-tests and a conceptual test one week later were performed with a control group and experimental group. Results are presented that allow direct comparison between a hands-on activity versus conventional lecture-based instruction alone. The results indicate no statistically significant differences in gains between control and treatment groups; however the trend indicates improved ability to describe abstract concepts on the material 1 week later in the experiment group. The most promising results show that a greater percentage of students who were actively involved with the demonstration increased their scores from post- to conceptual assessment. This agrees with previously published results on CHAPL [1]. The majority of passive observers showed decreased scores. These results warrant more devices be built and tested to engage the entire class in the hands-on collaborative experiment.Copyright

A design to improve Selective Catalytic Reduction for diesel engines

An approach to reduce harmful emissions in diesel engines is presented. This approach makes use of an improved Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system which employs a Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC). In addition, a communication link between the engine and a data collection system is established using User Datagram Protocol (UDP). We observed that the enhanced emissions control system presented demonstrates significant reduction in emission.

Improving 0-60 mph launching performance of a series hybrid vehicle

This paper presents a launching performance comparison between three hybrid electric control strategies under maximum acceleration conditions. The result demonstrates viability of the electric launch control approach and is the first known implementation of launch control in a series hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). Experimental data is presented that shows a 0.49 s reduction in initial vehicle motion (IVM) to 60 mph time in the same vehicle and conditions with only the new launching control method engaged. Performance improvements were achieved by using the engine-generator to pre-charge the HV bus which increased bus voltage throughout the test. This novel method generated an IVM-60 mph time of 9.85 s which is 4% faster than the baseline 10.25 s. Test data with electrical and mechanical power system results are presented. Shaft power and energy estimates from the traction motor are evaluated and compared.

Diesel Emission Test Stand for Advanced SCR Control

The combination of increasingly challenging emissions regulations and impending Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards of 54.5 mpg by 2025 presents auto makers with a challenge over the next 10 years. The most promising technologies currently available for meeting high fuel economy and low emissions regulations are increased hybridization, turbo downsizing, and increased Diesel engine implementation. Combining these into a hybrid turbo Diesel is an ideal transition technology for the very near future as battery and other alternative fuels become viable for widespread automotive use.This paper presents a Diesel emission test stand to improve Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems for light duty Diesel vehicles, particularly hybrid power systems that experience many start-stop events. Advanced modeling and control systems for SCR systems will further reduce tailpipe emissions below existing Tier structures and will prepare manufacturers to meet increasingly stringent Tier 3 standards beginning in 2017. SCR reduces oxides of Nitrogen, NO, and NO2, from otherwise untreated Diesel emissions. Scientific study has proved that inhaling this harmful exhaust gas is directly responsible for some forms of lung cancer and a variety of other respiratory diseases. In addition to EPA Tier emissions levels and CAFE standards, the On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) regulations require every vehicle’s emission control systems to actively report their status during all engine-on vehicle operation. Testing and development with production NOx sensors and production SCR components is critical to improving NOx reduction and for OEMs to meeting strict Tier 3 light duty emission standards.The test stand was designed for straightforward access to the NOx sensors, injector, pump and all exhaust components. A Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) followed by a Diesel Oxidizing Catalyst (DOC) precedes the Selective Catalytic Reducer (SCR) injector, mixing pipe and catalyst. An upstream NOx sensor reads engine-out NOx and the downstream NOx sensor reports the post catalyst NOx levels. Custom fabrication work was required to integrate the SCR mechanical components into a simple system with exhaust components easily accessible in a repeatable, controlled laboratory environment.A Diesel generator was used in combination with a custom designed resistive load bank to provide variable NOx emissions according to the EPA drive cycles. A production exhaust temperature sensor was calibrated and integrated into the software test manager. Production automotive NOx sensors and SCR injector, pump and heaters were mounted on a production light duty vehicle exhaust system. The normalized nature of NOx concentration in parts per million (ppm) allows the small Diesel generator to adequately represent larger Diesels for controls development purposes. Both signal level and power electronics were designed and tested to operate the SCR pump, injector, and three Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) heating elements. An Arduino-based Controller Area Network (CAN) communications network read the NOx Diesel emissions messages from the upstream and downstream sensors. The pump, injector, solenoid, and line heaters all functioned properly during DEF fluid injection. CAN and standard serial communications were used for Arduino and Matlab/Simulink based control and data logging software. Initial testing demonstrated partial and full NOx reduction. Overspray saturated the catalyst and demonstrated the production NOx sensor’s cross-sensitivity to ammonia. The ammonia was indistinguishable from NOx during saturation and motivates incorporation of a separate ammonia sensor.Copyright

Parameter Estimation for Model Validation of an Energy Storage System During Operation in a Series Hybrid Electric Vehicle

Battery models can be developed from first principles or from empirical methods. Simulink Parameter Estimation toolbox was used to identify the battery parameters and validate the battery model with test data. Experimental data was obtained by discharging the battery of a modified 2013 Chevrolet Malibu hybrid electric vehicle. The resulting battery model provided accurate simulation results over the validation data. For the constant current discharge, the mean squared error between measured and simulated data was 0.26 volts for the 298V terminal voltage, and 6.07E−4 (%) for state of charge. For the extended variable current discharge, the mean squared error between measured and simulated data was 0.21 volts for terminal voltage and 9.25E−4 (%) for state of charge.Copyright