Technical Analysis and Designs

Technical analysis of the team’s possible streaming current came from evaluating the streaming current (I_str) and streaming Potential (V_str) equations. Next the values of the constants within the equation needed to be determined. Since it is not possible for the team to directly measure the pressures on the inlet and exit of the membrane, the team used the Darcy–Weisbach equation to relate pressure difference (delta p) with flow rate (Qi and Qv). These equations are shown below.

The team used the above equations to develop an excel calculator to calculate the required flow rate to achieve the set current and voltage. Part of this calculator is shown below. The columns for Q (flow rate) contain equations which use the constant values in the other columns.

A SolidWorks model of the group's design is shown below. A syringe will be used to push fluid through a nanoporous wafer. Copper mesh will be placed on both sides of the wafer. Wires connected to the copper mesh will run to a op-amp which will step up the current and voltage being produced by the potential difference between the two meshes.The output of the op-amp will be used to power a sensor.

The nanoporous wafer and copper mesh are held in place in a 3-D printed module and placed inside the syringe. The module provides structural support to the wafer to help withstand the pressure from the fluid flow.