12 research outputs found
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Development of a Rooftop Collaborative Experimental Space through Experiential Learning Projects
The Solar, Water, Energy, and Thermal Laboratory
(SWEAT Lab) is a rooftop experimental space at the
University of Texas at Austin built by graduate and
undergraduate students in the Cockrell School of
Engineering. The project was funded by the Texas State
Energy Conservation Office and the University’s Green
Fee Grant, a competitive grant program funded by UT
Austin tuition fees to support sustainability-related projects
and initiatives on campus. The SWEAT Lab is an on-going
experiential learning facility that enables engineering
education by deploying energy and water-related projects.
To date, the lab contains a full weather station tracking
weather data, a rainwater harvesting system and rooftop
garden.
This project presented many opportunities for students to
learn first hand about unique engineering challenges. The
lab is located on the roof of the 10 story Engineering
Teaching Center (ETC) building, so students had to design
and build systems with constraints such as weight
limitations and wind resistance. Students also gained
experience working with building facilities and
management for structural additions, power, and internet
connection for instruments.
With the Bird’s eye view of UT Austin campus, this unique
laboratory offers a new perspective and dimension to
applied student research projects at UT Austin.Cockrell School of Engineerin
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Reducing peak electrical demand by air conditioning systems and reducing water consumption by implementing an integrated thermal energy and rainwater storage system
An integrated thermal energy and rainwater storage system for reducing peak electrical demand by air conditioning systems. Such a system includes a water conveyance system for collecting and conveying water to a storage tank for storing rainwater, where the rainwater functions as a lower temperature thermal reservoir while it is being held and awaiting use. The system further includes a residential air conditioning system with an air-cooled condenser unit along with an additional water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger connected to the storage tank on one side, and on the other side connected into the refrigerant lines with reconfigurable flow paths and actuated valves to control the discharging and recharging of the thermal energy storage. The lower temperature and better heat transfer capabilities of the rainwater improve operating efficiency and reduce power consumption of the compressor when used instead of the air-cooled condenser during the hottest hours of the day.Board of Regents, University of Texas Syste
Evaluating Energy and Cost Requirements for Different Configurations of Off-Grid Rainwater Harvesting Systems
The goal of this analysis was to evaluate energy and cost requirements for different configurations of a rainwater harvesting (RWH) system in conjunction with a solar PV and energy storage system for an off-grid house. Using models in fluid mechanics, we evaluated energy and power requirements for four different system configurations: 1. An On-Demand System containing a single speed pump (OD-SS), 2. An On-Demand System containing a variable speed pump (OD-VS), 3. A Pressurized Storage System where water is pumped once during the day into a large pressurized tank for later consumption and treated on demand via UV light (PS-AOT), and 4. A Pressurized Storage System where water is treated once per day via UV light and then stored for later consumption (PS-TO). Our analysis showed that the OD-SS system model requires 2.63 kWh per day, the OD-VS system model requires a total energy of 1.65 kWh per day, and the PS-AOT requires 1.67–1.69 kWh per day depending on the pump size, and the PS-TO system requires 0.19–0.36 kWh per day depending on the pump size. When comparing estimated cost between systems, we found the OD-SS system to be the most expensive. With the OD-SS system as a base for system costs, we found the OD-VS system to be 39% less expensive, the PS-AOT system to be 21% less expensive, and the PS-TO system to be 60% less expensive than the base OD-SS system
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Electromagnetic seismology vibrator systems and methods
An electromagnetic system having a reaction mass with a field winding embedded therein, a base plate having an inner annular surface and an outer annular surface, and an armature winding coupled to at least a portion of the inner annular surface and at least a portion of the outer annular surface of an upper end portion of the base plate. In operation, directing an electric current in at least one of the field winding and the armature winding causes at least one of the base plate and the reaction mass to move relative to each other. The electromagnetic system can be used for seismic exploration and vibroseis applications, among other uses.Board of Regents, University of Texas Syste