EPS@ISEP | The European Project Semester (EPS) at ISEP

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report [2013/06/21 19:46] – [6.4. Functionalities] team1report [2013/06/22 19:49] (current) – team1
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 We expect that the Solar Dryer will fulfill the clients needs which are drying algae with the use of solar power. We expect it to dry the algae to less then 10 % humidity in 24 hours. We also expect our algae-dryer to be one of the most energy efficient in the market. We expect that the Solar Dryer will fulfill the clients needs which are drying algae with the use of solar power. We expect it to dry the algae to less then 10 % humidity in 24 hours. We also expect our algae-dryer to be one of the most energy efficient in the market.
    
-==== 1.6. Work plan  ====+==== 1.6. Product planning  ====
 Regarding the work plan we divided our task into three modules. The general milestones together with a start and end date for every task are located in the Gantt chart shown in Figure 2. Furthermore, we allocated each task to the team members, which is represented in the task allocation shown in Table 2. Finally, every task is specified and defined in weekly sprints as you can see in figure 1. This planning can be better observed in the Gantt chart below in Figure 2.  Regarding the work plan we divided our task into three modules. The general milestones together with a start and end date for every task are located in the Gantt chart shown in Figure 2. Furthermore, we allocated each task to the team members, which is represented in the task allocation shown in Table 2. Finally, every task is specified and defined in weekly sprints as you can see in figure 1. This planning can be better observed in the Gantt chart below in Figure 2. 
  
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-Figure 19. Graph presenting emission of CO2 from electricity [37]+Figure 19. Emission of CO2 from electricity  [37]
  
 These results would force us to check what kind of electricity generation the potential customer uses. Taking into account the fact that the potential customer would be universities in Europe running tests on algae oil production, we may assume that it is possible that they would use renewable sources of energy to create electricity. If not, it is also possible that energy consumed by the device would not significantly affect the power consumption of a certain university lab. It is also wise to mention that any kind of electricity generation it is, the equipment installed would require so little energy that it would not be significant for university grid usage. What is more, 15 W solar panel would not support the devices fully. Thus, more powerful solar panel would be needed. As our projects aim was to use solar power, we decided to minimize the number or fans to one in order to reduce power consumption.  These results would force us to check what kind of electricity generation the potential customer uses. Taking into account the fact that the potential customer would be universities in Europe running tests on algae oil production, we may assume that it is possible that they would use renewable sources of energy to create electricity. If not, it is also possible that energy consumed by the device would not significantly affect the power consumption of a certain university lab. It is also wise to mention that any kind of electricity generation it is, the equipment installed would require so little energy that it would not be significant for university grid usage. What is more, 15 W solar panel would not support the devices fully. Thus, more powerful solar panel would be needed. As our projects aim was to use solar power, we decided to minimize the number or fans to one in order to reduce power consumption. 
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 Tests have to be implemented to ensure that the product can fulfill our clients’ needs. For our drying process we put a 5 l solution of algae and water in the tank, and at the end we want a 0,5 l concentrated solution. During this process we have to make sure that the temperature of the water doesn’t raise over 50°C. To ensure that it works correctly and the temperature doesn’t go over 50°C, it has to be tested and water put into the tank with a temperature over 50° degrees. In this case the thermometer should give a signal to the micro-controller that it should adjust the blinds and cool down the process. Tests have to be implemented to ensure that the product can fulfill our clients’ needs. For our drying process we put a 5 l solution of algae and water in the tank, and at the end we want a 0,5 l concentrated solution. During this process we have to make sure that the temperature of the water doesn’t raise over 50°C. To ensure that it works correctly and the temperature doesn’t go over 50°C, it has to be tested and water put into the tank with a temperature over 50° degrees. In this case the thermometer should give a signal to the micro-controller that it should adjust the blinds and cool down the process.
 +
 The other test that has to be performed is by the end of the drying process. When the algae are dry enough they should contain less than 10 % of water. This means that at the end of the process we would have a 0,5 l solution left of the 5,0 l. When the process is ready (the solution is 0,5 l) the ultra sound level controller should give a signal to the micro-controller to stop the process, and close the blinds. These are the two main tests that our product needs to fulfill. The other test that has to be performed is by the end of the drying process. When the algae are dry enough they should contain less than 10 % of water. This means that at the end of the process we would have a 0,5 l solution left of the 5,0 l. When the process is ready (the solution is 0,5 l) the ultra sound level controller should give a signal to the micro-controller to stop the process, and close the blinds. These are the two main tests that our product needs to fulfill.
  
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 === 6.5.1.3. Performing the experiment === === 6.5.1.3. Performing the experiment ===
  
-We started with marking scale on the plastic tank. We decided to put the mark each 5mm. Then, we mounted as shown in Figure 30 below the sensor on the ruler on top of the tank in the position vertical to the tank bottom.+We started with marking scale on the plastic tank. We decided to put the mark each 5mm. Then, we mounted as shown in Figure 38 below the sensor on the ruler on top of the tank in the position vertical to the tank bottom.
  
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-Figure 30. Mounting sensor horizontally to the bottom+Figure 38. Mounting sensor horizontally to the bottom
  
 The distance between bottom and ultrasonic sensor, so the height of the containers wall was 12 cm. The Arduino environment was also installed and operating code has been compiled. The distance between bottom and ultrasonic sensor, so the height of the containers wall was 12 cm. The Arduino environment was also installed and operating code has been compiled.
 The measurement started with pouring water till obtaining 5mm on the scale and reading the value read by sensor. Microcontroller program returns the distance read from data given by sensor.  The measurement started with pouring water till obtaining 5mm on the scale and reading the value read by sensor. Microcontroller program returns the distance read from data given by sensor. 
-Afterwards, pouring the water was repeated every 5mm several times till reaching 30 mm. The pouring is presented in Figure 31. +Afterwards, pouring the water was repeated every 5mm several times till reaching 30 mm. The pouring is presented in Figure 39. 
  
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-Figure 31. Pouring water into the container+Figure 39. Pouring water into the container
  
-We tried to conduct the test also with the floating body inside the tank, to check if the sensor reads the distance more accurately shown in Figure 32.+We tried to conduct the test also with the floating body inside the tank, to check if the sensor reads the distance more accurately shown in Figure 40.
  
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-Figure 32. Measurement with floating body inside the container+Figure 40. Measurement with floating body inside the container
  
 === 6.5.1.4. Results === === 6.5.1.4. Results ===
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-Figure 33. Charging test at INEB lab+Figure 41. Charging test at INEB lab
  
 After finding out that the algae were negatively charged we could make a charging test in the lab to see if we could attract them to one side of the tank. After finding out that the algae were negatively charged we could make a charging test in the lab to see if we could attract them to one side of the tank.
 +
 At first we tried with two titanium electrodes but it created a current and oxidized, so we had to find another method. Then we built a capacitor, which is two charged plates, one positive and one negative, and between the plates and the algae there is a capacitor, in this case a plastic box.  We charged the plates with a 12 V input and measured the density of the algae every half an hour.  For measuring the density we used a spectrometer that is an instrument used to measure properties of light over a specific portion of the electromagnetic spectrum [43]. At first we tried with two titanium electrodes but it created a current and oxidized, so we had to find another method. Then we built a capacitor, which is two charged plates, one positive and one negative, and between the plates and the algae there is a capacitor, in this case a plastic box.  We charged the plates with a 12 V input and measured the density of the algae every half an hour.  For measuring the density we used a spectrometer that is an instrument used to measure properties of light over a specific portion of the electromagnetic spectrum [43].
  
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-Figure 34. Charging test+Figure 42. Charging test
  
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-Figure 35. Plastic box with algae in the beginning and end of the charging test+Figure 43. Plastic box with algae in the beginning and end of the charging test
  
 === 6.5.2.1. Results === === 6.5.2.1. Results ===
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 ==== 6.6. Overheating of algae solution ==== ==== 6.6. Overheating of algae solution ====
  
-As already mentioned, one of our major concerns is making sure the algal solution will not exceed 50 ˚C. And why is that? Algal biomass obtained from the process of drying is rich in many various beneficial components, such as among many others: lipids, pigments (carotenoids) or omega 3 acids. Their possible degradation is the reason for not to overheat the microalgae solution. According to Arief Widjaja in “Lipid production from microalgae as a promising candidate for biodiesel production” drying algae in high temperatures has deteriorating effect on lipid content [45]. The research made suggests that the decrease in lipid content may already be seen while drying in 60 ˚C. Even larger drop in lipid content may be noticed while drying in temperatures exceeding 60 ˚C. The gathered data is shown in Figure 36.+As already mentioned, one of our major concerns is making sure the algal solution will not exceed 50 ˚C. And why is that? Algal biomass obtained from the process of drying is rich in many various beneficial components, such as among many others: lipids, pigments (carotenoids) or omega 3 acids. Their possible degradation is the reason for not to overheat the microalgae solution. According to Arief Widjaja in “Lipid production from microalgae as a promising candidate for biodiesel production” drying algae in high temperatures has deteriorating effect on lipid content [45]. The research made suggests that the decrease in lipid content may already be seen while drying in 60 ˚C. Even larger drop in lipid content may be noticed while drying in temperatures exceeding 60 ˚C. The gathered data is shown in Figure 44.
  
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-Figure 36. Lipid content at various drying methods [45]+Figure 44. Lipid content at various drying methods [45]
  
 As far as omega 3 fatty acids are concerned, they are easily oxidized when subjected to light, air or high temperatures. All the plants containing this kind of acids (for instance flax seeds) are treated at the temperatures not exceeding 40 ˚C in order not to destroy the natural structure or beneficial properties [44]. As far as omega 3 fatty acids are concerned, they are easily oxidized when subjected to light, air or high temperatures. All the plants containing this kind of acids (for instance flax seeds) are treated at the temperatures not exceeding 40 ˚C in order not to destroy the natural structure or beneficial properties [44].
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 === 6.7.2. Porto climate === === 6.7.2. Porto climate ===
  
-In order to check the possible operation efficiency of our device, we gathered the data concerning predicted weather and atmospheric conditions for the ongoing and next year. The following figures (37, 38) present average heat index in degrees Celsius and solar radiation in watts. The next is the Climate graph for Portugal including average temperature, relative humidity and wet days. +In order to check the possible operation efficiency of the device, we gathered data concerning predicted weather and atmospheric conditions for the on-going year and the next. The following figures (45 and 46) present average heat index (in degrees Celsius) and solar radiation (in Watt). Figure 45. depicts the climate graph for Portugal including average temperature, relative humidity and wet days.
  
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-Figure 37. Solar radiation and Heat index diagrams [46]+Figure 45. Solar radiation and Heat index diagrams [46]
  
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-Figure 38. Climate graph for Porto [47]+Figure 46. Climate graph for Porto [47]
  
 The presented diagrams and graph make it possible to expect the best distiller performance from April till October. High solar radiation, followed by extensive heat index and significantly higher average temperatures are noted in the mentioned months. Those factors speed up evaporation process. What is more, relative humidity is also at its lowest ratings, which does not contribute to slowing down the whole process.  The presented diagrams and graph make it possible to expect the best distiller performance from April till October. High solar radiation, followed by extensive heat index and significantly higher average temperatures are noted in the mentioned months. Those factors speed up evaporation process. What is more, relative humidity is also at its lowest ratings, which does not contribute to slowing down the whole process. 

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