Download Inventive Problem Solving Ideation Process Project Initiation Title

Inventive Problem Solving
Ideation Process
Project Initiation
Title
Third World Electric Generator: Electricity From Excess Heat.
Timeline
Preliminary possible designs - Dec. 2009
Analyze preliminary designs and pick one - Dec. 2009
Preliminary Construction cost research - Dec. 2009
Detailed schematic for the design - Jab. 2010
Build and test prototype - Feb - Mar. 2010
Adjust all necessary components - Mar. 2010
Finalize Design and construction cost -Mar. - Apr. 2010
Finalize prototype - April 2010
Team
Sung Hoon Bae (BME)
Sung Hoon Bae is familiar with various aspects of science and engineering including biology,
chemistry, organic chemistry, electrical engineering and biomedical engineering through his
BME program in Vanderbilt University. He is capable of using various software tools for
computations, and experienced in biomedical instrumentation.
Daniel Rim (ChBE)
Daniel Rim provides the group with knowledge in Chemical Engineering, which involves
concepts of multi-scale chemical reactions (processes) and thermodynamics. He also majors in
mathematics, taking different courses of actuarial mathematics.
Chris Zachara (ChBE)
Christopher Zachara's academic expertise lies in Chemical Engineering, which includes
concepts of chemical reactions, large-scale chemical processes, and transport phenomena. He
also has a good breadth of knowledge in Environmental Engineering.Stephen G Songy (Owen
Graduate School of Management)
Stephen Songy is a student at the Owen Graduate School of Management.
He is
working for Project Pyramid and will lead our team through the economic and manufacturing
aspects of our project.
Contact Information:
Administrative Contact:
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Mary H Judd
1225 Stevenson Ctr 37240
Nashville TN 37235
615-322-4229
[email protected]
Principal Investigator Contact:
Stephen G Songy
Owen Graduate School of Management
[email protected]
Team Contact:
Sung Hoon Bae
Department of Biomedical Engineering
Vanderbilt University Station B 6543
Nashville TN 37235
[email protected]
Daniel Rim
Department of Chemical Engineering
Vanderbilt University Station B 0348
Nashville TN 37235
Christopher Zachara
Department of Chemical Engineering
Vanderbilt University Station B 0901
Nashville TN 37235
1. Project objectives
1. Design a household scale electric generator.
2. Integrate with Biogas systems utilized in third world countries.
3. Achieve low selling price, ideally between $40 and $60.
4. Power 6 LED lights for 4 hours per day.
2. Importance of the Situation
The Project Pyramid group, along with our design group, is interested in addressing the energy
challenges in third world countries. We are focusing on this situation because addressing this
need could improve the quality of life for millions of people. If the situation is not improved,
people in under-developed parts of the world will continue to be at the mercy of their
governemnts in terms of when they can expect electricity supply. In particular, primary
education will suffer as a result from lack of reading light. From a humanitarian standpoint,
this problem definately needs attention. Creating this solution does not directly effect
individuals in the U.S.A., but it could benefit millions of lives if implemented on a large scale.
In the long run, connecting third world countries to the grid will improve their economies and
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strengthen their relationship with the U.S.A.
Innovation Situation Questionnaire
1. Brief description of the situation
Biogas has been gaining popularity as an alternative energy source in third world countries
where energy supply is limited. Though biogas has been effectively utilized for heating and
cooking in these areas, there are currently no solutions for household conversion of biogas into
electricity. Biogas energy is a promising idea for inexpensive energy in poor areas of the
world. In this project, we hope to design an inexpensive, small-scale unit that utilize the
energy stored in Biogas.
2. Detailed description of the situation
2.1. Supersystem - System - Subsystems
2.1.1. System name
Electric Generator
2.1.2. System structure
The Electric Generator consists of the following elements:
Thermoelectric Generator (TEG unit)
Heat sink
Insulation
Thermal Grease
NiMH battery
Circuitry
LED Lights
2.1.3. Supersystems and environment
The environment is a third world household, modeled by a rural Bangladesh family.
Biogas System:
Biogas Source (private or community Biogas digester).
Bigoas appliances.
Family
Has NO electricity (off the grid).
Needs light for nighttime activities.
Uses gas lights and stove that give off excess heat.
2.1.4. Systems with similar problems
Systems with similar problems are other portable lighting solutions. For example, shake lights
and crank lights are similar systems. They are solutions for cases in which light is needed in
areas off the grid or during grid failure (ie. camping trips or power outages).
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2.2. Input - Process - Output
2.2.1. Functioning of the system
The primary useful function of the TEG is convert heat energy into electrical energy.
The temperature gradient created by the heat source and heatsink generates current between
two different semiconductors.
The primary function of NiMH batteries is to store electricity created by TEG for later use.
Voltage controller is used to provide constant voltage to NiMH.
The other primary function of NiMH batteries is to power LED lights.
Current controller is used to provide consant current to LED.
2.2.2. System inputs
TEG inputs:
Heat
NiMH batteries inputs:
Electricity
LED inputs:
Light
2.2.3. System outputs
TEG outputs:
Electricity
NiMH batteries outputs:
Electricity
LED outputs:
Light
2.3. Cause - Problem - Effect
2.3.1. Problem to be resolved
Convert excessive heat generated by biogas appliances such as biogas stove or biogas lamp.
The primary harmful function of the current biogas appliances is that most of its generated
energy is lost by heat.
2.3.2. Mechanism causing the problem
Biogas appliances in Bangladesh are mainly used in rural areas. Consequently, the main design
specification has focused on the cost of the device rather than the efficiency of the device.
Thus, most of the appliances are very inefficient.
2.3.3. Undesirable consequences if the problem is not resolved
Inefficient biogas appliances cause large amount of energy loss when every energy is very
valuable in rural area.
2.3.4. Other problems to be solved
Find another way to generate electricity in inexpensive way.
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2.4. Past - Present - Future
2.4.1. History of the problem
In 2000, Bangladesh had electric capacity of 3.8GW which 94% was thermal (mainly from
natural gas) and the remainder was hydroelectric [4]. With the power demand in Bangladesh
growing at annual rate of 7% from 1995 to 1997, Bangladesh's Power System Master Plan
(PSMP) expects that doubling of its current electricity is necessary and required by 2010 to meet
the demand [4]. In fact, the government of Bangladesh aims to expand its electricity availability
to its entire rural population by 2020 by doing the following:
1. Expand current electricity distribution grid
2. Implement alternative electric sources including solar home system (SHS) and biomass pilot
project to the areas that are hard to reach [5].
As a result, the access of electricity in Bangladesh has increased from 30% to 38% (2002 to
2008): 400,000 consumers were connected to electricity where 80,000 of them were provided
with SHS [5]. Nevertheless, even if it is assumed that 400,000 new consumers are getting
connected to electricity every year, it would take more than 35 years to provide electric access
to all [5]. Thus, this project could create another way to expand electricity availability in
Bangladesh in household scale.
References:
[4]. <http://www.geni.org/globalenergy/library/national_energy_grid/bangladesh/index.shtml>.
[5].
<http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/EXTABOUTUS/IDA/0,,contentMDK:2138
7765~menuPK:3266877~pagePK:51236175~piPK:437394~theSitePK:73154,00.htm l>.
2.4.2. Pre-process time
More efficient biogas stove or lamp can solve the problem in some extent, but not likely.
2.4.3. Post-process time
More efficient biogas stove or lamp can solve the problem in some extent, but not likely.
3. Resources, constraints and limitations
3.1. Available resources
Substance resources
 Manure
 Biogas
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 Airflow
 Water
 Other organic materials
Field resources
Heat sources
Derived substance resources
 Electricity
 Fertilizer
Time resources
 Time during biogas stove is used
 Time after biogas stove is used
 Time during gas lamp is used
 Time after gas lamp is used
Human resources
Owen's Graduate School of Management
Vanderbilt University School of Engineering
3.2. Allowable changes to the system
 Drastic changing the system is allowed.
 The target price point cannot be increased:
- One of the objectives is to distribute the generator throughout the Bangladesh market at
reasonable price point.
3.3. Constraints and limitations
Cost of the protype cannot be increased for economic feasibility. This condition can be
modified if the life expectancy of the prototype is longer than expected; then, the price can be
adjusted according to the new economic feasibility calculation.
TEG must generate voltage no less than 4V to properly charge the batteries.
3.4. Criteria for selecting solution concepts
Convert excessive heat into electricity to decrease amount of money spent on gas lamp or other
energy fuel for lighting purpose.
Problem Formulation and Brainstorming
TEG1
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Develop Concepts
1. Categorize preliminary ideas
Generate electricity from wasted energy.
Heat is emitted by most biogas appliances.
Heat can be used to generate electricity, using Thermalelectric Generator. (TEG)
2. Combine ideas into concepts
Since heat is wasted by biogas appliances in Bangladesh, one can use that wasted heat to a
better use. With Thermalelectric Generator (TEG), heat can be used to create electricity, since
heat is the only form of resources needed for TEGs to create electricity.
Evaluate Results
1. Meet criteria for evaluating Concepts
Actual output electricity has to be measured
The cost of the genetor will depend on materials
Feasibility analysis by measuring voltage and calculating current output by TEG.
2. Reveal and prevent potential failures
Overheating the TEG over the operating temperature will surely break the device. This can be
prevented by observing the temperature of TEG and the heatsink.
Overcharging the NiMH batteries can lead to catastropic results. These batteries can explode
and potentially damage everything around it. This can be prevented by two different methods,
monitoring dV/dt (change of voltage over time) and dT/dt (change of temperature over time).
One can break this simple device by dropping. It is fragile device. This can be prevented by
carefully carrying the device while moving it.
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3. Apply Patterns/Lines of Evolution
Increasing ideality
Segmentation
Developing a substance's structure
Increasing controllability
4. Plan the implementation
This device can be implemented by simply putting the device next to the heat source. TEG
will then get heated up, and temperature gradient will be created between the two plates of the
TEG. This will then create electricity. This electricity can then be used to charge the portable
battery unit containing NiMH batteries. Finally, the battery unit can light the LED light.
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