Timothy Rodts
19 September 2006
AME 40463 Senior Design, Group A6
Design Optimization Study of
Polymer-encased Coil Heat Source
Purpose/Influence on Design Decisions:
Our concept requires that we efficiently boil water for the distillation process. This study
will be done in an effort to design a working heat source for our prototype. In addition to a
working heat source, we wish to optimize the heat transfer into the water by maximizing the
surface area in contact with the water by using a high temperature polymer with embedded coils.
This study will determine the geometry of the heat source.
Variables:
Design Variable (DV)
1
2
3
Diameter of polymer
container, D (continuous)
Height of polymer
container, H (continuous)
Depth of polymer layer,
d (continuous)
Design Parameter
(DP)
Ambient
Temperature, Tamb
Power Input, P
State/Behavioral
Variable (SV)
Heat Transfer, Q
Surface Area,
Asurf
Constraint (C)
Volume of space
contained in, Vspace
Energy necessary
to boil water, Eboil
Methods of Analysis:
The model of the heat source will be dependent on the boiling temperature of water and
the estimated 120 W power input (120 W is estimate based on 80% efficiency up to the heat
source) to the heat source. These boundary conditions will help determine the optimum design
based on manipulation of the above design variables. Initial work will be done by using the
conduction (1) and convection (2) equations.

q  kT

Q  hAT
(1)
(2)
The optimization will be done by using Pro/Engineer and Pro/Mechanica’s thermal analysis
capabilities to optimize the polymer dimensions. The polymer will be simulated using its known
material properties. The study assumes no energy loss from embedded coils due to well insulated
surroundings.
Schedule:
Due Date:
Milestone:
19/9
(Tuesday)
Proposal due
26/9
(Tuesday)
Initial Surf.
Area
Calculations
Completed
28/9
(Thursday)
Polymer
Chosen
01/09
(Sunday)
Pro/E Model
Completed
05/10
(Tuesday)
Optimization
Completed
10/10
(Tuesday)
Trade Study
Completed
12/10
(Thursday)
Report due