Week 3

Overview of Status of Analysis, Design, Fabrication, Tests, etc.

• • The budget is already approved and the parts are ordered and currently being shipped. (We will receive the sensors by Thursday)

  • The plumber has started assembly and needs to connect the water line. Waiting for water meter and anti-scald valve.

  • Working on MATLAB Simulation in the meantime. (Simulation is for Energy Analysis and COP & EF Calculation)

Accomplishments from Previous Week

• • All systems are connected. Cold water tank and hot water tank are both connected to the heat pump. (Facilities Management)

  • Work orders/grant are processed. Will be receiving sensors by the end of the week. (Dr. Kleissl)

  • Found there is a previous research done on a water to water heat pump. (Xavier)

  • Talked to Tom Chalfant for the best way to go about inserting and sealing our sensors into pipes. (Chris and Xavier)

Goals for Next Week (list names after each item). Use specific and measurable objectives.

• • Redo parts of piping to implement the sensors. (Chris and Xavier)

  • Installing the flow meters. (Sean and Cara)

  • Connecting the all sensors to data logger and calibrating data logger (Nadim and Cara)

  • Start testing and measuring the water draw patterns. (Team effort) 

  • Continue researching into water to water heat pumps for report. (Xavier and Nadim)

  • Possibly look into thermal recovery for heat loss through pipes/insulating pipes for hot water tank. (Sean and Nadim)

  • Look into microprocessors that we will use for the system to control when the Geyser pump turns off/on. (Cara and Xavier)

Sponsor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments

• • Talked about the electrical portion of the project. Hot water tank must be connected to a 240W power grid to meet ASHRAE's (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air conditioning Engineering) testing standards. 

  • Need a microprocessor connected to the system to shut off the system at undesired temperatures.

Instructor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments

• • Instructor was concerned about the time for the grant to be processed. Professor contacted Dr. Kleissl (Sponsor) and the issue has been resolved since the grants were processed Friday 1/20.

  • Dr. Kleissl wanted the team to find something to get started on (i.e. writing the report, theoretical testing, making a simulation, etc). Thus we are working on a MATLAB Simulation since all theoretical testings are done and will start writing the report later this week.

Risks and Areas of Concern

• • How to put a temperature sensor into the water tanks/how to measure the temperature inside the cold water tank since chilled water will be mixed with the ground water.

  • Will there be enough energy in cold water to heat the water?

  • Will this system be feasible in slightly colder climate regions? If not, can we find another energy source (i.e. solar) if we are short by a few KJ.

  • Will the water heater have enough energy to operate if we turn off the second electrical plug on the hot water tank?

Resources or Information Required but not Available

• • Need a microprocessor for the heat pump.

  • Waiting to see if facilities can provide an anti-scald valve or we have to order it. (We'd know by Thursday Morning)

Schedule

• • Get plumbing done by the beginning of the next week. (Facilities Management)

  • Set up project by end of January/ beginning of February. (Team Effort)

  • Have a MATLAB/Labview model before the end of project. (WOW factor)

  • Have abstract, introduction, and objectives done by the end of January. (Team Effort)

  • Have collected some data by beginning of February. (Team Effort)

  • Start to write a program in C/C++ for a microprocessor. (Team Effort)

Budget (list amount spent and amount remaining)

• • Nothing was spent this week; therefore, the budget balance is the same as last week.

    • $1881 + tax + shipping (sensors)

    • Heat Pump (purchased by sponsor)

    • Water Tanks (purchased by sponsor)

    • Work order to Facilities Management (unknown amount)

    • Above $12,000 remaining on budget not including work order for Facilities Management.

Progress on Report and Webpage

• • The invoice of the parts ordered, parts ordered and the links that correspond to each part and also few media files and pictures were uploaded on the web. (Sean)

  • Additional background information about residential water heaters added to the introduction page (Cara)

  • Information added to the project objectives and risks on project management page (Cara)