Facility Thermal Balance and Transport

Author(s) Information

Giovanni V. Minnite, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoFollow
Silas O R Goldfarb, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoFollow
Cole J. Houston, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoFollow
Dominique Aguilera, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoFollow
Cole M. Silva, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoFollow

College - Author 1

College of Engineering

Department - Author 1

Mechanical Engineering Department

Degree Name - Author 1

BS in Mechanical Engineering

College - Author 2

College of Engineering

Department - Author 2

Mechanical Engineering Department

Degree - Author 2

BS in Mechanical Engineering

College - Author 3

College of Engineering

Department - Author 3

Mechanical Engineering Department

Degree - Author 3

BS in Mechanical Engineering

College - Author 4

College of Engineering

Department - Author 4

Mechanical Engineering Department

Degree - Author 4

BS in Mechanical Engineering

Date

6-2024

Primary Advisor

Lauren Rueda, College of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Department

Abstract/Summary

This Final Design Review (FDR) report outlines the senior design project completed by a team of five mechanical engineering students at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo for Senior Industrial Engineer, Mr. Tom Bass, of Entegris, Inc. The team developed an innovative system to address the issue of ice accumulation on cryogenic vaporizers at the Entegris facility. Ice buildup, caused by the extremely low temperatures of the cryogenic fluid, reduces the efficiency of vaporizers and places additional stress on the system. To combat this, the team designed and constructed a prototype that utilizes a thermal transport loop to transfer waste heat from other processes within the plant to melt the ice. The system helps to minimize additional energy consumption of the plant and avoids disrupting normal plant operations.

Testing demonstrated the system's capability to capture and transfer significant amounts of heat, although it did not meet the target heat transfer rate of 150,000 BTU/hr. The prototype managed to capture up to 49,390 BTU/hr from the exhaust and transfer 31,918 BTU/hr to the enclosure. Despite falling short of the target, the system showed a high effective energy transfer rate of 288% and provided substantial cooling potential, indicating a return on investment of 188%, with the potential for the system to pay for itself in 2.4 years. Additionally, the system effectively handled increased load while maintaining manageable ice levels.

This project is of high significance because it offers a sustainable and efficient solution to improve the performance of cryogenic vaporizers and reduce operational costs at the Entegris facility. The findings and recommendations for future improvements provide a strong foundation for scaling the system to the larger vaporizers on site, enhancing overall plant efficiency and sustainability. The results of this project are widely applicable to various industries that use cryogenic ambient air vaporizers because ice buildup is a common problem that occurs with them. The results of this project are especially applicable to those that aim to improve plant efficiency and sustainability by concentrating their sources of heating and cooling to thermally balance their operations.

URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/mesp/777