Jason Prapas Preliminary Exam
Wednesday, May 2, 2012, 10:00 AM
EECL Conference room

Jason Prapas Preliminary Exam for the Ph.D. 10 a.m., Monday, May 2nd, 2012 EECL Conference Room.

Advisors: Bryan Wilson, Ph.D., Morgan DeFoort, Ph.D.

Committee: Anthony Marchese, Ph.D., Jennifer Peel, Ph.D.

Dynamic Modeling and Optimization of Buoyancy-Driven Biomass Energy Systems: Applied to Improved Chimney Stoves Abstract The vast majority of indoor combustion devices in the developed world make use of stacks (flues, vents, chimneys, smokestacks) to channel flue gases out of the operator space. In the developing world, where indoor air pollution kills approximately two million people per year, the use of stacks with biomass cooking and heating stoves has been met with limited success and a high level of controversy. Due to a lack of theoretical understanding, design criteria, poorly executed installation practices, and/or insufficient maintenance routines, many chimney stoves have exhibited inadequate indoor emissions reductions in addition to low thermal efficiencies. This work attempts to (a) Develop metrics to determine whether a chimney is functioning in the context of human health requirements (b) Shed light on the physical phenomenon of the “stack effect” as it pertains to dynamic, non-isothermal, buoyancy-driven energy systems (c) Apply new understanding toward the optimization of two types of biomass chimney stoves: (1) plancha or griddle type stoves popular in Central America and (2) two-pot stoves common in South America and the Himalayas. These objectives will require the development of a numerical heat and fluid flow model that takes into account the highly coupled variables and transient nature of such systems. With a comprehensive physical model, parameter studies will be conducted to determine how several field-relevant variables influence the performance of stack-outfitted systems. These include, but are not limited to: chimney geometry, stove geometry, fuel moisture content, soot buildup, altitude, heat loss, wind, and ambient temperature. Experimental work involving thermography, anemometry, differential pressure measurements, emissions measurements, and efficiency testing will be used to validate the physical model. Stoves will be installed and tested in Central and South America for comparison of field and laboratory results.

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Event Contact: Zulema Sierra can be reached at (970) 491-6036

Sponsored by the Department of Mechanical Engineering.