Master of Science (M.S.), University of Dayton, 2023, Mechanical Engineering

Particle systems for concentrating solar applications present a non-trival challenge to adequately model with DEM software. A compiled modeling suite for radiative exchange, coined DEM+, is directly integrated into commercial software Aspherix®. A presentation of this modeling suite, advantages, and disadvantages is followed by an expanded look at the Distance Based Approximation (DBA) method for estimating particle-particle and particle-wall radiative exchange of more realistic particle size distributions and some simple binary mixtures. In addition, design, operation, and preliminary experimental results for a lab-scale multi-stage falling particle curtain are evaluated with particle image velocimetry (PIV) from two perspectives with discussion of the challenges therein. A room temperature DEM model of investigated particles is compared to experimental results with emphasis on future work for material calibration for DEM+.

Committee: Andrew Schrader (Committee Chair); Kevin Hallinan (Committee Member); Andrew Chiasson (Committee Member); Rydge Mulford (Committee Member) Subjects: Alternative Energy; Energy; Experiments; Mechanical Engineering; Sustainability

Master of Science (M.S.), University of Dayton, 2023, Mechanical Engineering

A novel, low cost, high flux solar simulator has been designed and built for the University to be able to undergo research on systems that need testing under high temperature solar irradiation. This simulator will feature four 2500W metal halide bulbs focused with elliptical reflectors, as well as one horizontally translating central 3000W Xenon short-arc lamp with a parabolic reflector and a convex lens acting as a secondary concentrator. To aid in the design, alignment, and characterization of the simulator a detailed Monte Carlo Ray Tracing suite has been developed. These models show that the simulator can produce a flux of 4.5kW/m^2 or around 4500 suns.

Committee: Andrew Schrader Ph.D. (Advisor); Robert Gill (Committee Member); Hagan Evan Bush Ph.D. (Committee Member); Rydge Mulford Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; Systems Design; Technology

Master of Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, 2022, Physics

The increasing adoption of renewable sources of electricity (i.e. wind and solar farms) is being driven by the demand for carbon neutral electricity production. Although zero carbon is emitted during electricity production, these renewable energy sources suffer from intermittency, which is a mismatch between the supply and demand of electricity of the grid. Renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, produce their peak electricity at off-demand periods of the day. This strains the electrical grid as it risks over-generation in some locations as well as a need for quick ramping of the electrical load which is hard on electricity producing infrastructure. As a partial solution to intermittency, pumped storage hydropower (PSH) is the dominant form of grid-scale energy storage. PSH accounts for 95% of the U.S. grid-scale storage capacity, which amounts to 22.9 GW of capacity [1]. The EIA also estimates with all possible sites, the U.S. can double their PSH capacity [1]. However, much more than that is not feasible being constrained by the availability of locations suitable for PSH. As a result, other gridscale energy storage options are in development. The main options include batteries, thermal energy storage, compressed air energy storage (CAES) and flywheels. However, these storage options are plagued by high cost per kWh prices, location specificity (ex. PSH, CAES) and/or low energy density. With these concerns in mind, Cratus LLC is developing a molten salt thermal energy storage option known as ThermaBlox, which is location-independent, low-cost, and high-capacity (with the capability to scale). ThermaBlox will play a significant role in intermittency reduction while enabling increased adoption rates of renewable energy.

Committee: Edward Caner (Committee Chair); Dr. Benjamin Monreal (Committee Member); Dr. Robert Brown (Committee Member) Subjects: Chemical Engineering; Energy; Engineering; Entrepreneurship; Fluid Dynamics; Mathematics; Nanotechnology; Physics; Technology