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
Date
6-2020
Primary Advisor
Peter Schuster, College of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Department
Additional Advisors
Peter Schwartz, College of Science and Mathematics, Physics Department
Abstract/Summary
The following document accounts for the progress made in the prototype development of our design solution since the Critical Design Review, and our group’s response to recent world events which greatly impacted planned activities. Our design challenge is to develop a thermal energy storage system which will sequester the energy from a photovoltaic (PV) array during the day and allow for its dispersal at night in the form of near boiling water. Looking at our user’s needs, we broke our design solution into four components: water heating, storage, distribution, and controls. Research of all components was conducted to ascertain which systems should be developed and which system components could be purchased. Engineering specifications were developed to directly address customer needs and to create performance goals which our final solution can be measured against. During this phase, our group was tasked with procuring all required materials, manufacturing our prototype, and conducting verification testing. The system configuration was selected in the previous phase, and lists of components were compiled, along with manufacturing steps. We have constructed our prototype, and we have completed some preliminary testing, however there is more work to be completed by our sponsor. The selected system composition is outlined, including supporting documentation for testing procedures. Our Final Design Review outlines all final development activities which have taken place and next steps required for further iteration of our prototype.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/mesp/541