engineering
Engineering Contexts and Challenges
Renewable Energies: Biomass Generation
The Engineering Scenario: Biomass Energy Generation
slides 2-3
The Main Branches of Engineering
slide 4
The Systems Approach
slides 5 -7
Making Biogas / Energy Transformations / Mechanisms
slides 8-9
Modelling solutions
slide 10
Energy generation systems
slide 11-14
Presentation
slide 15
Biogas Generator Extension Work
slides 16-
engineering
The Engineering Scenario.
A Scottish based distillery company plans to install a biomass generator that produces
energy by burning the large amount of used grain (waste) produced in the distilling
process. They want to build the biomass plant on their existing site.
Many companies are considering using renewable means to generate energy. The main
reasons for this are:
• to comply with laws and regulations meant to help the environment
• to improve the company’s reputation by showing they are a responsible company and
environmentally friendly
• to save money by not having to buy electricity or generate electricity by other less
environmentally friendly means
• to make their energy supply reliable and reuse cheap and available materials
Activity. Find out about biomass generation and, through discussion, suggest other
advantages of using this form of energy generation.
engineering
In this activity we will consider some of the engineering tasks and activities required to
build an engineering ‘plant’ of this type. Once we understand how the systems work we
will design and ‘model ‘some of the systems necessary to create movement and produce
or convert energy.
Activities.
Through group and class discussion, internet research and, where possible, by discussion
with practicing engineers.
1. identify the:
• main branches of engineering likely to be involved in building this plant.
• ‘types’ of engineer responsible for each of these stages: the planning, designing,
construction, testing and maintenance of the new plant
2. Biofuel and biomass are forms of renewable energy generation. List four types of
renewable energy sources and three fossil fuels used in electricity generation and
comment on the environmental implications of each.
The main branches of engineering are shown in the following slide.
Examples of engineering sub branches are included on separate slides 18-23.
engineering
An Application of Science,
Mathematics and
Technology
Engineering
Main Branches of
Engineering
Mechanical
Engineering
Civil
Engineering
Electrical
Engineering
Engineering is a combination
between the abstract of science and
the beauty of art (Martin Bercovici)
Chemical
Engineering
Activity. Consider one ‘main branch’ of engineering and the note some of the most important activities
and products involved. Other engineering sub branches are included on slides18-23.
engineering
The Systems Approach
Large engineering projects such as the biomass generator are complex. To make them easer
to understand a Systems Approach is used. One feature of the systems approach is to use:
Input
>>
process
>>
output
(what goes in) > (what happens inside the machine for example) > (what comes out)
From the overall system diagram engineers can then decide what sub-systems will deal with
each of the inputs and which will produce each of the required outputs. This gives a clearer
picture of what the complete system will look like including how the sub-systems are
connected together.
Activity. For a simple system, such as the kettle – identify the inputs, processes and output.
The next slide shows some of the important inputs and outputs of the distillery.
Activity. By discussing the main inputs and outputs identify some of the possible
environmental impacts from such a plant.
Supplementary questions on environment issues are included in extension slide 17.
engineering
System Diagram
Activity. By discussing the main
inputs and outputs identify some
of the possible environmental
impacts from this plant.
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Sub-system diagram showing biomass energy generation
Super grain
feed hopper
Belt presses
Used grain
(waste)
Grain
cake
Anaerobic
Digester
Biogas
Steam
Turbine
Bio fuel
Boiler
Electricity
Distillery
Export electricity
Natural gas
Existing
Boilers
Steam
engineering
Making Biogas. The video clip
shows how biogas is produced. The
movement of the products around
the system is controlled by various
mechanisms.
Activity: watch the clip and identify
mechanisms used in this system.
Mechanisms are used to open and
close the gates and valves to allow
the products to flow from one part
of the system to another. The gate
in the Shed is opened using an
electric motor, which is connected
to a mechanism known as a rack
and pinion. Mechanisms change
the size and direction of force
produced at the output of the
mechanism compared to the input
force.
How it Works – Making Biogas
engineering
• Mechanisms can also covert one type of motion to another.
• Electric motors produce what is known as rotary motion at their output shaft. As
you saw in the video clip the gate has to move in a straight line up and down.
Motion in a straight line is called linear motion and straight line motion which
repeats over and over is known as reciprocating motion. Types of Motion
• The system diagram for a rack and pinion mechanism is shown below. This
mechanism converts rotary motion to linear reciprocating motion.
This example of a control is shown as a simulation model in the slide 10.
Activity Extensions.
1. A number of other modelling challenges of control systems, based on the Biogas
Generator , can be found in the extension materials. Slides 24-27.
2. Study the mechanisms in a bicycle and explain how motion is converted.
engineering
Electronic simulation software ,such
as YENKA as shown here, allows
mechanisms and electrical circuits to
be combined and the resulting
system simulated.
Activity: Shed Gate control.
1. Draw up a sub-system diagram
for the system shown for
opening and closing the shed
gate.
2. Build the circuit shown using
suitable electronic simulation
circuit software.
engineering
The video clip shows how
grain, and other materials
can be used to produce
biogas.
Activity
How many examples of
rotary motion converted
to linear motion, or vice
versa, are shown in the
video clip?
Activity Extension. A
number of other
modelling challenges can
be found in the extension
materials. Slides 25-27.
How it Works - Biogas Plant
engineering
Activity
Watch each of the
following three videos.
1. Micro-hydro power
2. Wave Power
3. Combined heat and
power plant
Choose one to discuss
in more detail and
then draw up a subsystem diagram
showing the energy
transformations in the
process.
How it Works - Micro-hydro Process
engineering
How it Works - Wave Power Process
Activity
Choose one
video/audio clip to
discuss in more detail
and then draw up a
sub-system diagram
showing the energy
transformations in the
process.
For background to
energy generation from
the ocean please click.
engineering
Activity
Choose one video/audio
clip to discuss in more
detail and then draw up
a sub-system diagram
showing the energy
transformations in the
process.
Extension Activity. Find
out how a steam
turbine works and
compare its complexity
to a wind turbine or
tidal power turbine.
How it Works - Heat and Power Process
engineering
Presentation
Prepare a presentation which demonstrates your understanding of the importance of
engineers to society.
The presentation should last around 5 minutes.
The presentation could be based on a historical contribution made by engineering, a
current product or project, or a future development.
• A historical contribution could be a description of an invention or inventor, or a civil
engineering project from the pyramids to castles, roads, bridges and so on.
• A current contribution should focus on the role of one particular engineer in the
development of an important product or project.
• A future contribution should look at how an emerging technology could be developed
to provide benefits to individuals or society as a whole.
engineering
Engineering Contexts and Challenges
Extension work based on the Biogas Generator
The social and environmental impact of engineering
slide 17
Engineering Sub Branches
slides 18-23
Systems Modelling
slides 24-27
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The social and environmental impact of engineering.
Activity
There are many benefits for the distillery company from the biomass project. List four of
these benefits and explain them.
This project would help to reduce the need for energy generated from finite (fossil fuel)
sources. What benefits would a power generation plant of this type have for society as a
whole?
The project would also have some advantages and disadvantages to the local community,
especially those living close to the plant.
• What social and economic benefits would the project bring to the local community?
• What disadvantages would there be for those living around the plant, both during the
building phase and afterwards?
• In terms of the health and wellbeing of society - discuss the pros and cons of
supporting a company that produces alcohol?
engineering
Engineering Sub- branches
• Mechanical Engineering
slide 19
• Civil Engineering
slide 20
• Electrical Engineering
slide 21
• Chemical Engineering
slide 22
• Hybrid Engineering
slide 23
engineering
Mechanical
Engineering
Vehicle Engineering
Design and manufacture of
devices and systems
which control and propel
vehicles
Specialities include
Automotive, railway and
naval engineering
Thermal Engineering
Aerospace Engineering
Acoustic Engineering
The heating or cooling of
processes, equipment, or
enclosed spaces
Design and manufacture of air
and spacecraft
The generation or
suppression of sound and
vibration
Specialities include
Aeronautical and astronautical
engineering
Activity:
Which of these sub branches could be involved in the Biomass Project and what would be their role?
engineering
Civil
Engineering
Geotechnical
Engineering
Dealing with geological
materials at the site of a
civil engineering project
Structural
Engineering
Transport
Engineering
Developing structures that
support loads
The manufacture of
molecules
Specialities include
Specialities include
Specialities include
Mining engineering
Earthquake, wind, ocean
and architectural
engineering
Traffic, road and railway
engineering
Environmental
Engineering
Planning and advising on
Improving and protecting the
environment within a project
Specialities include
Fire protection, sewage,
water, waste management,
and transport engineering
Activity:
Which of these sub branches could be involved in the Biomass Project and what would be their role?
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Electrical
Engineering
Electronic Engineering
Design of analogue and digital circuits
Specialities include
Control and Telecommunications
engineering
Computer Engineering
The design of and application of
computer systems and
microcontrollers
Power Engineering
The generation and delivery of
electricity and the design of devices
such as motors and transformers
Specialities include
Software engineering, control,
Robotics, networking
Activity:
Which of these sub branches could be involved in the Biomass Project and what would be their role?
engineering
Chemical
Engineering
Materials Engineering
Using the properties of matter within
engineering applications
Specialities include
Ceramic and Chrystal engineering
Process Engineering
The design, function and control of
chemical processes
Specialities include
Petroleum refinery, plastics and
paper engineering
Molecular Engineering
The manufacture of molecules
Specialities include
Petroleum refinery, plastics and
paper engineering
Activity:
Which of these sub branches could be involved in the Biomass Project and what would be their role?
engineering
Hybrid
Engineering
Energy Engineering
Broad field dealing with
renewable energy,
efficiency, and facilities
management
Mechatronic Engineering
Nano Engineering
Hybrid of Electrical and
Mechanical engineering
Fabricating devices the
size of atoms and
molecules
Specialities include
Specialities include
Specialities include
Solar, wind, wave and
bio-fuel engineering
Robotics, instrumentation and
avionics engineering
Polymers, materials for
integrated circuits
Bio Engineering
Application of technology
to medicine and biology
Specialities include
Genetic, tissue and
biochemical engineering
There are many others, including industrial engineering, nuclear engineering, agricultural
engineering and applied engineering.
Activity:
Which of these sub branches could be involved in the Biomass Project and what would be their role?
engineering
Systems Modelling
The following ‘modelled’ examples are based on the systems, controls
and mechanisms found in the Biomass generator and similar engineering
systems.
• Grain filling warning system.
• Grain hopper sensing system.
• Temperature sensing system.
Slide 25
Slide 26
Slide 27
Activity. Using appropriate modelling systems and or boards: design,
assemble, test and evaluate your solutions.
engineering
Challenge: Grain filling
warning system.
1.Design a system which
will light a red LED while
the substrate tank is
filling. Once a float
switch detects that the
tank is full a solenoid
should close the filler
pipe and the red LED
should go off.
2.Draw a system diagram
3.Draw a sub-system
diagram
4.Build and test the
simulated circuit shown.
engineering
Challenge: Grain hopper
sensing system.
1.Design a system that will
spin a mixing paddle once
a light sensor detects it is
dark (showing that the
grain tank is full) or when
a test switch is pressed.
2.Draw a system diagram
3.Draw a sub-system
diagram
4.Build and test the
simulated circuit shown.
5.Suggest other uses for
this type of system.
engineering
Challenge. Temperature
sensing system.
1. Design a system that will
switch on a heater
(simulated by a lamp)
when the temperature in
the fermenting tank falls
and the heater switch is
on.
2. Draw a system diagram
3. Draw a sub-system
diagram
4. Build and test the
simulated circuit shown.
5. Comment on the success
of the design and suggest
other uses for this type of
system.