WELCOME TO MEC 520

Energy Technology
Thermodynamics
Fall 2015
Mahder Tewolde, MSME
Arzu Kurt, MSME
Glenn Musano, MSME
Sean Stoll, MSME
Sotirios Mamalis, Ph.D1

MEC 520
Fall 2015

Lecture 1
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MEC 520 in a nutshell:

All about MEC 516

About Me
BE Mechanical Engineering (SUNY
Maritime)
MS Mechanical Engineering
Automated Meter Reading & Non-Intrusive
Appliance Load Monitoring for a residential
natural gas meters

PhD Student
Thermoelectric device fabrication using
additive manufacturing technologies
Laser-assisted thermal/non-thermal
processing of materials for energy harvesting
applications
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Reference Books
Fundamentals of Eng. Thermodynamics
Morran and Shapiro
Heat Transfer
J. P. Holman
Heat Transfer: A practical approach
Yunus A. Cengel
Principles of Solar Engineering
Goswani, Kreith, and Kreider
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Grading for MEC 520

Midterm Exam : 40%
Final Exam:
40%
Homework:
20%

Will use black board for homework and announcements.

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Energy Technology Program Staff

Prof. Sotirios Mamalis

Glen Mussano, MSME

Prof. John Kincaid

Arzu Kurt, MSME

Mahder Tewolde

Sean Stoll, MSME

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Why was energy technology program

developed?

To train the next generation of alternative and renewable

energy engineers

Provides students with a global understanding of current

energy challenges.

'Hands on' laboratory and design experience in the areas of

heat pumps, insulation, solar thermal, photovoltaics (PV),
wind turbines, fuel cells, and thermoelectrics

Theoretical background on energy transformation, transfer,

and storage.
The industry is booming!!

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Important Metrics
Energy Sources
Specific Energy (MJ/kg)
Energy Density (MJ/L)
Phase
Impurities
Cost
Energy vs. Power
Energy, E (BTU, joules (J) or (cal)
Power P = dE/dt ( BTU/hr, Watts(W))
1 Watt = 1 Joule/Second
Work
A way to measure the amount of work
performed or generated (watt-hour
(Wh), Kilowatt-hours (kWh) or quad )

Conversion Method
Conversion Efficiency
Form of energy product
CO2 generation
Land Usage
Water usage
Cost
Heat Flow vs. Work
Energy per time can be used to describe
heat flow and work but to distinguish
between these energy flows we use
notation: thermal thermal th and electric
e MWth and MWe
SI Units will be used in this course
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Scales of energy flows

cell phone
2W
laptop computer
10 W
human body (2000 Calorie diet)
100 W
1 horsepower
750 W
hair dryer
1,500 W
automobile
130,000 W
1 wind turbine
2,000,000 W (2 MW)
757 jet plane
5,000,000 W (5 MW)
Large power plant
1,000,000,000 W (1 GW)
Global energy use
15,800,000,000,000 W (15.8 TW)

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World Energy Consumption by

Source (2013, EIA Data)

World Energy Consumption by

Sector (2013, EIA Data)

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Estimated U.S. Energy Use, 2013

Credit: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Sankey Diagram - 97.4 Quads (2.8e1013 kWh) 14

Order of Magnitude of Energy Resources

(Photo Credit: World Energy Council, 2010)

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Projected Renewable Electricity Production

Renewable electricity generation projected to scale up by 60-70%

from 2013 to 2040
(Photo Credit: EIA, 2013)

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New York State Renewable Energy Plan

The 2015 New York State Energy Plan says
that renewable sources, which today
provide about 11 percent of the energy we
use, have the potential to meet as much as
40 percent of our energy needs by 2030.
State government offers grants and loans to
help New Yorkers adopt renewable energy
technologies and develop renewable energy
businesses.
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Efficiency Comparisons

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Topics to be covered include:

Infrared Imaging and Sensors

Insulation and Thermal Conductivity
Electric Motors and Generators
Batteries
DC to AC Inverters
Heat Pumps
Radiation
Solar Thermal Collectors
Spectrometer
Solar Walls
Wind Power
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Infrared (IR) Imaging

Detect radiation in the long-infrared range of the
electromagnetic spectrum (roughly 914 m) and produce
images of that radiation, called thermograms.

IR imaging has numerous applications

The use of thermal imaging cameras for solar panel evaluation offers several advantages.
Anomalies can clearly be seen on a crisp thermal image and - unlike most other methods - thermal
cameras can be used to scan installed solar panels during normal operation 20

Applications of IR Imaging

Substation electrical inspections

Thermal heat loss inspections of buildings
Locate radiant heating wires or pipes
Locate potential areas for mold growth
Flat-roof leak detection for buildings
Detect thermal patterns on boiler tubes
Mechanical bearing inspections
Detect insulation leaks in refrigeration
equipment

Transportation

Weatherization study

Electrical inspections

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Windmill Inspection

Water Damage

Insulation
Reduce heat loss
Improve efficiency

Typical wall
insulation

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Thermal jacket

Insulated refrigerant piping

Pipe insulation

Thermal Conductivity
Thermal conductivity is the property of a material to conduct heat. (k
or [W/mK] or [Btu/hrftF] )
The performance of an insulator depends on its thermal conductivity
The lower the thermal conductivity, the better its insulation capability
(R-value is a measure of thermal resistance used in the building and
construction industry [m2K/W] or [hrft2F/Btu])

MEC 502 Conduction and Radiation Heat Transfer

MEC 501 Convective Heat Transfer and Heat Exchange

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Batteries

Consist of two or more electrochemical cells that convert

stored chemical energy into electrical energy.
Primary: disposable because their electrochemical reaction
cannot be reversed.
Secondary: rechargeable because their electrochemical reaction
can be reversed by applying voltage in the opposite direction of
the discharge.

Disposable
Duracell
batteries
Lead Acid Battery

Lithium ion Battery

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Battery Energy Storage

Energy storage is also important for power leveling for the

power companies
Battery storage is becoming a desired method of demand
response. Batteries are charged during off peak periods and
drained during peak periods.

Batteries also provide the benefit of leveling out the power

availability of growing renewable energy sources such as solar
and wind.

Solar and wind power cause power management problems for

electric utilities due to intermittent generation of power. Utility
must have additional generating capacity when renewables
cant generate power.

Batteries meet this need without construction of expensive less

efficient fossil fuel generation.
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Battery Energy Storage Capability

Energy density is a measure of the
amount of energy per unit weight
or per unit volume which can be
stored in a battery.
Energy storage must consider both
the amount of energy that can be
stored (energy density of the
material) and the efficiency at
which it can be recovered.
chart illustrates the volumetric and
specific energy densities showing
smaller sizes and lighter weight
cells.
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Electric Vehicles (EV)

Uses one or more electric motors or traction motors for
propulsion.
Most electric vehicles use lithium ion batteries. Lithium
ion batteries have higher energy density, longer life span
and higher power density than most other practical
batteries

BMWi3

Tesla Model S

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Tesla Gigafactory

A 10kWh Tesla Powerwall

Credit: http://www.teslamotors.com/gigafactory

Broke ground on the Gigafactory in June 2014 outside Sparks, Nevada

By 2020, the Gigafactory will produce more lithium ion batteries
annually than were produced worldwide in 2013
Tesla expects that Gigafactory 1 will reduce the production cost for
their Electric vehicle battery and Powerwall packs by 30%
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Inverters
An inverter is an electrical circuit capable
of turning DC power into AC power,
while at the same time regulating the
voltage, current, and frequency of the
signal
Why do we need an inverter?
Most solar panels provide 12V DC power
Household devices use 120V AC power
Necessary for a grid tie in system.3

Inverters come in all different shapes and

sizes, for all different purposes
Inverters vary in output from 50 5,000
W
Several different methods of changing DC
power to AC power
Some inverters put out electricity of
higher quality than others. What does
that mean?

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Heat Pumps
Move thermal energy opposite to the direction of spontaneous
heat flow by absorbing heat from a cold space and releasing it
to a warmer one
HVAC applications,
In in general, have a coefficient of performance (COP) of 4.2
to 4.6
In heating mode, they are 3-4 times more efficient than electric
resistance heating

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Wind Power
Wind turns the windmill blades
Mechanical motion converted to the shaft of a
generator, producing electricity
Low power density (~2 W/m2)
An area of 25 square miles of water
Produces 400 MWe peak
Produces 130 MWe average

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Wind Energy in New York

The American Wind Energy
Association ranks New York
eleventh in the nation for
installed wind generation
capacity.
As of Spring 2014, twenty
wind energy projects are
operating with a rated
capacity of a little more than
1,812 MW

Maple Ridge Wind Farm (321 MW)

Since 2009, New York has been a
member of the "Gigawatt Club
with wind power generation
capacity in excess of 1,000 MW.
(Photo Credit: Nat'l Renewable
Energy Lab)
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Solar
Peak normal solar irradiance is 1kW/m2 (at surface, 1.366
kW at the top of atmosphere, known as the solar constant)
The suns energy can make electricity in two ways:
Photovoltaic
The sunlight impinges on a solar voltaic cell
The energy is directly converted into DC electricity

Solar thermal
Rays are focused
Focused rays can heat water
Water turns to steam to make electricity

Like wind, the power density is low

Peak power produced is about 100 - 200 W/m2
Average power is about 30 - 60 W/m2
25 square miles produces about 100 - 200 MW on average
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Radiation

Objects glow different colors

at different temperatures
Radiation is the emission or transmission of energy in the form of waves
or particles through space or through a material medium.
We do not see the thermal radiation because it occurs at infrared
wavelengths invisible to the human eye.
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MEC 502 Conduction and Radiation Heat Transfer

PV Technology
method of converting solar energy
into direct current electricity using
semiconducting materials that
exhibit the photovoltaic effect,
PV Technology Classification
Silicon Crystalline Technology
Mono Crystalline PV Cells
Multi Crystalline PV Cells
Thin Film Technology
Amorphous Silicon PV Cells
Polcrystalline PV Cells ( Non-Silicon based)
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Photovoltaics (PV)

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Solar Thermal Collectors

Collect solar radiation to provide heat and hot water

Active or passive system
Passive design uses thermal convection to circulate heat in
the water system
Active systems uses pumps to circulate hot water

Passive Solar- Integral Collector

Storage (ICS)

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Concentrated Solar Thermal Plant

generate solar power by
using mirrors or lenses to
concentrate a large area of
sunlight, or solar thermal
energy, onto a small area.
Electricity is generated
when the concentrated light
is converted to heat, which
drives a heat engine
(usually a steam turbine)
connected to an electrical
power generator.

A concentrated solar thermal plant near

Seville in Spain.
This power plant produces 20MW,
enough to power 25,000 homes.
The power tower stores heat in tanks
as superheated and pressurized water
Produces energy 24 hours per day
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Solar Energy in New York

Three Main Technologies Harvest
Solar Energy
Solar Photovoltaic (PV)
Solar Thermal Energy
Passive Solar Energy

Long Island Solar Farm is the largest solar

power plant in the eastern United States. It
consists of 164,000 solar panels that provide
up to 32 MW of electricity (Credit:
Brookhaven National Laboratory)
Solar panels on school roof
(Credit: NYSERDA)

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Internal Combustion Engines

a heat engine in which the heat source is a combustible
mixture that also serves as the working fluid

A two-stroke engine

MEC 523 Internal Combustion Engines

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A four-stroke engine

Energy Harvesting
A process by which energy is derived from external
sources (e.g. solar power, thermal energy, vibration, wind
energy, salinity gradients, and kinetic energy), captured,
and stored for small, wireless autonomous devices, like
those used in wearable electronics and wireless sensor
networks.

Car Tire Pressure

Monitors

Wireless weather
station

Mars Rover
Traffic Alert
Signs

MEC 518 Energy Harvesting 42

Thermoelectrics
Solid-state device that convert heat to electricity or use
electricity to move heat
Cryogenic IR
Can be used of power generation and refrigeration
Night Vision
applications

Energy harvesting

Peltier cooler

Cooled
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Car Seat

Thermoelectric Applications

wearables

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Portable power

Fuel Cells
Quite simply, a fuel cell is a device that converts chemical energy into
electrical energy, water, and heat through electrochemical reactions

Fuel and air react when they come into

contact through a porous membrane
(electrolyte) which separates them.

This reaction results in a transfer of

electrons and ions across the electrolyte
from the anode to the cathode.

If an external load is attached to this

arrangement, a complete circuit is formed
and a voltage is generated from the flow of
electrical current.

The voltage generated by a single cell is typically rather small (< 1 volt), so many
cells are connected in series to create a useful voltage.
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Fuel Cells in Use: Stationary Systems

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Fuel Cells in Use: Transportation Systems

Buses are most commercially

advanced applications of fuel cells
to date.

Are currently being used by many

American and European cities.

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Piezoelectric
The piezoelectric effect converts mechanical strain
into electric current or voltage.
This strain can come from many different sources.

Human motion
low-frequency seismic vibrations
acoustic noise
Vibration in machinery

wearables

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Spectrometer
Used to measure a spectrum of light as well as absorption
and transmission of materials

spectrometer
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Related Courses
MEC 506 Energy Management in
Commercial Buildings [HVAC]
MEC 522 Building Energy Dynamics and
Technology
MEC 526 Modern Power Cycle Energy
Dynamics and Technology

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SOME OF THE EQUIPMENT YOU WILL BE

WORKING WITH SEMESTER
Some of the equipment is custom built and one of a
kind in the WORLD!!!
Experiments are specifically designed to teach you
hands on energy technology theory and principals.
One of the only, if not the only, graduate alternate
and renewable energy programs in the US.
You will gain invaluable hands on experience in
Hydrogen as a fuel, Solar energy, Internal
combustion engines, heat pumps, spectrometry,
motors, generators, inverters, batteries.
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PREPARATION IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS

IN THE LABORATORY COURSE
Each groups time is very limited. Experiments can be
fast paced.
You will have a limited time to set up, execute and
collect data for your experiment.
Another group will be close behind ready to get started.
The key to your groups success in the course is
PREPARATION!!!!!
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 Failure to come to the lab prepared is sure to lead to

your groups failure on the experiment.
If you run out of time you will have to leave your
station to allow the next group to proceed.

COME TO THE LAB PREPARED.

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HOW TO BEST PREPARE FOR THE LAB.

Pay attention in the lecture classes and specifically the la
lectures.
Print out and study the lab manuals BEFORE you come
to lab. We will post them on backboard in advance.
Bring a flash drive to lab.
tip of the week it would save you a lot of time both in the
lab and when writing lab report if you set up data tables on
your lap top computer for recording data!!!!!!

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LETS TAKE A PEEK AT SOME OF

THE EQUIPMENT YOU WILL BE
USING IN THE LAB.

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Hampden Heat Pump

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Learning to use
the Fluke Ti20
TM

Created in partnership with

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Flat-plate solar system

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Reflection, Transmission, Absorption

spectrometer
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Transmission

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Absorbance

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SBU sunlight, June

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LABORATORY SAFETY
You will be working around rotating machinery, flammable
materials, explosive materials, high voltage, hot equipment,
noisy equipment and, its the end of the day when we are all
getting tired.
Follow all safety instructions given by your instructor. Be
cognizant of the dangers around you at all time!!
Wear all assigned safety equipment at all times including,
safety glasses or goggles, gloves, hearing protection etc.
Eating is NOT permitted in the lab. Conference room only
please!!
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