ABET-RELATED LABORATORY ACTIVITY FOR ENTC 370, THERMODYNAMICS
ENTC 370 Final Lab Assignment
Objective: Design a scientific thermodynamic experiment
This lab assignment serves two purposes. The first is to
encourage students to apply basic thermodynamics concepts
learned during the semester.
The second purpose is to assess
the students’ ability to design a scientific experiment.
Students have to show how data should be collected and analyzed
in order to draw meaningful conclusions.
Requirements:
1.
The experiment should be designed based on the fundamental
concepts of thermodynamics covered in class.
Choose a
thermodynamic device that involves heat flow and/or work,
and design and propose an experiment whose data can be used
to determine its efficiency, capacity or energy
requirements.
The objectives of the experiment must be
clearly stated. You should do some research to find a good
topic for your experiment.
Example:
Design an experiment
that determines the efficiency of an air conditioning unit.
2.
The related theoretical background should be explained.
Example: Basic thermodynamic cycle must be described and
one or several efficiency or performance metric(s) should
be presented and explained in detail.
3.
The experimental procedure should include detailed stepby-step instructions. Identify thermodynamics variables of
interest (power in, power out, mass flow rate, etc.)
4.
Specify the appropriate hardware for data logging.
Specify the appropriate data acquisition (DAQ) system and
hardware (flow meter, power meter, temperature probe,
pressure probe, etc.). That is, the scientific equipment
should be carefully selected. Please include a full
description of the experimental hardware including pictures
or schematics. Also make sure to explain how the different
components should be integrated so seamless flow
information can take place between the device and its
sensors, and the DAQ and the computer, if appropriate.
Include cost of each component.
5.
Specify appropriate experimental metrics (efficiency or
coefficient of performance).
Come up with a list of
questions that the experiment should answer, just like the
questions in the current lab manual.
6.
References for the related theories and experimental
design should be included.
References: Experimental
Methods for Engineers by Holman (7th edition).
Probably
need to go to the library and find other appropriate
references.
7.
Write a full report for this activity.
Make sure to
include a cover page, introduction, theoretical background,
experimental design (step-by-step instructions),
description of performance metrics, description of
experimental hardware including cost, and error propagation
analysis (use the hand out provided in the lab).
report per group is required.
Only one
The report should be at
least 5 pages in length but should not exceed 20 pages.
The appearance of the report should be professional and
very appealing.
8.
Deadlines: Propose your idea by Friday, November 21st. Send
e-mail to Prof. Alvarado at jorge.alvarado@tamu.edu
and include the name of your team members(one e-mail per
group).
Submit the written report through Turnitin.com
(only) no later than Friday, December 5th before 5:00 pm.
Please follow Turnitin.com instructions as shown in the
following link:
http://etidweb.tamu.edu/classes/entc370/Turnitin.htm
9. Give a 10-20 minute oral presentation.
Make an appointment
with Prof. Alvarado (date: Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday,
December 8th, 9th or 10th).
Each member of each group should
be ready to answer tough questions regarding the
experimental design during the oral presentation.
Make
sure to consult with the TA or Prof. Alvarado before the
date of the presentation if you have any technical
questions.