Chemical Heat Driven Turbine
Abstract
The freshmen students could possibly build a computer-controlled turbine using
their LEGO sets. Two streams of chemical reactants could be controlled in
such a manner that the energy produced by the reaction would be constant (or
responsive to human commands to change). The energy given off by the reaction
would then be used to drive a turbine. Engineering skills for this project
include: chemistry, thermodynamics, and feedback-type control systems.
Basic description
The main object of the LEGO lab is to provide an experience in which freshmen
can see how their engineering "intuition" can be quantified and expanded by
means of basic engineering concepts. (This implies that the lab handout may
be the most important part of the lab.) The project to be designed should
also be chosen so as the development could use some of the skills of the
designers: namely, the skills of a senior mechanical, electrical, and chemical
engineer.
A chemically-driven turbine would fulfill these goals. First of all, if the
project designers do their job well, it will be possible for the freshmen to
do the project. The students would build their system and see it work. A
good pre-lab handout would wrap up the project by giving the freshmen an
engineering description of what was happening in the reaction, the steam
process, and the control systems.
The project itself would consist of several sections. Two tanks would hold
the reactants. Pipes would transport the reactants from the tank to the
reacting area, probably by means of gravity. Some sort of
computer-controlled valve would control the flow rate of each of the supply
lines. The reactants would flow into the reacting chamber, where they would
come into contact and release heat. (Note that a safe yet powerful reaction
needs to be found.) If the reaction vaporizes some of the reactants, than
those gases could be used to drive the turbine. If that is not possible, than
water could be used to transfer the energy, as in a standard steam cycle.
Piping from the reacting chamber to the turbine and from the turbine to the
exhaust area would be necessary. If all goes well, then the turbine would
turn. The computer would monitor the speed of the turbine and adjust the flow
of reactants accordingly. The rotating axle could be used to drive a fan,
perhaps. Possibly, a dynamo could be attached, would could be used to light a
light bulb.
Additional equipment would be necessary for this project. Two vats and a
length of pipe would definitely be required. The size and material of the
reacting chamber would be determined by the amount of heat the reaction would
put out. Additional parts for the turbine, such as the blades, would be
necessary. The dynamo is optional. For educational purposes, it would be
best if the vats, pipes, and reacting chamber would be transparent. Plastic
is cheaper and easier to handle; glass is stronger.
Some thermodynamics, controls, and chemistry would be taught through this lab.
Its main advantage is that the concept is interesting and involves the skills
of all of the project designers. Its main drawback include the possibility of
messiness and the cost of procuring additional parts.
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