Students Exposure to Sustainable Thermal Energy Storage Technologies at West Texas A&M University

Date

2019-04

Authors

Davis, Freddie
Issa, Roy
Leitch, Kenneth
Hughes, Peter

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

American Society for Engineering Education

Abstract

In the mechanical and civil engineering programs at West Texas A&M University, students are exposed to a variety of sustainability-oriented projects through senior design and research courses. The projects are selected to provide an in-depth understanding of the investigated area through analytical and experimental studies. In this particular project, students in thermal design were asked to investigate the feasibility of using paraffin-oil mixture as a phase change material (PCM) in residential walls. A PCM material with a melting point of 23°C (73°F) was designed and mixed. The mass of PCM required for a 1 m2 (10.8 ft2) wall (the size of the test apparatus) was determined to be 5.8 kg (12.8 lb) in a vertical 3.18 cm (1.25 in) thick sheet. A wall containing the PCM and another wall designated as a “control” were placed on 1 meter cubic insulated structures and were monitored through controlled experimentation. The testing was conducted indoors and an interior heating element simulated four complete day cycles. The result of the indoor study proved conclusively that with the correct modifications and optimization, PCM, as a form of insulation, is economically viable over its lifespan of 20 years. The reduced cost to the owner of a 186 m2 (2,000 ft2) home is $129.73/year. The proposed design causes a minuscule 5.76 kg/m2 (1.2 lb/ft2) of additional load to the structure. Because the PCM is in the configuration of a uniform sheet, the majority of the extra load will be supported by the concrete slab of the home.

Description

LCSH Subject Headings

Citation

Davis, F., & Issa, R., & Leitch, K., & Hughes, P. (2019, April), Students Exposure to Sustainable Thermal Energy Storage Technologies at West Texas A&M University Paper presented at 2018 ASEE Gulf-Southwest Section Annual Meeting, AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center, Austin, TX 78705. https://peer.asee.org/31583