Portable Environmental Chamber
Project Description
A collapsible, portable chamber which thermally isolates the environment and has attachments for ducts and sensors. Project
Purpose of Project
- HVAC Experiment in the Thermal-Fluids Laboratory
- Electric Vehicle and Roadway (EVR) Research Facility and Test Track
Requirements and Constraints
| Specification | Target | Thresold |
|---|---|---|
| Ambient Temperature – Internal Temperature (hotter outside) [°C] |
25 °C | 15 °C |
| Internal Temperature – Ambient Temperature (colder outside) [°C] |
15 °C | 10 °C |
| Air Escaping (percentage of chamber volume) [%] | 10% | 15% |
| Chamber Size (volume) [ft³] | 512 ft³ | 729 ft³ |
| Collapsed Size (ratio of collapsed to full size volume) [%] | 20% | 35% |
| Total Weight [lbs] | 200 lbs | 300 lbs |
| Compartmentalized Weight [lbs] | 100 lbs | 120 lbs |
| Time Required [min] | 30 min | 60 min |
| Expected Life [years] | 10+ years | 5 years |
MAE Thermal-Fluids Laboratory HVAC unit
USU’s Innovation Campus Electric Vehicle and Roadway (EVR) Re-search Facility and Test Track
Design Description
Performance Review
Insulation Analysis
In order to choose an insulation that would satisfy the temperature difference constraint, a thermal resistance circuit was used to calculate the total heat transfer through the chamber walls
Raspberry Pi Sensor Testing
For testing the actual performance of the chamber, the Raspberry Pi sensor system was used to run experiments as is done in the Thermal-Fluids HVAC lab.
The chamber was able to reach and maintain the required temperature difference between internal and external temperature
Thermal resistance and heat transfer equations
Thermal resistance circuits
A graph depicting experiment data collected inside the chamber while hooked up to the HVAC unit. The Raspberry Pi sensors are used to observe the affects of powering on difference HVAC components
Conclusion
Results
The addition of the portable environmental chamber really enhances student experience during the HVAC lab. Students can feel the affects of temperature and humidity changes all throughout and beyond the thermal comfort zone. Students can observe the changes to temperature and humidity readings in real time with a convenient graphical user interface.
Assembly Time: 7 minutes with two individuals
Successfully maintains +20 degree temperature difference from ambient
The chamber successfully meets the size, weight, mobility, and temperature differential requirements
Lessons Learned
- The prototype phase of the design process is essential for confirming that materials, processes, and concepts will work as expected during the build process. Time and resources should be generously applied to this phase.
Recommended Future Work
- Improve upon fabric sleeve design so that each sleeve is identical, has all required attachment points firmly embedded, fits around the panel frame exactly, and incorporates Velcro attachment points instead of button attachments.
- Incorporate a window or lighting system to illuminate the inside of the chamber without altering the air temperature and humidity within the chamber.
- Design a support system that prevents the roof from sagging in the middle without impeding the collapsibility function of the chamber.
Project Airflow
Wyatt Olsen - david.wyatt.olsen@gmail.com
Madilyn Webb - webbmadi98@gmail.com
Josh Burdick - joshua.burdick.r@gmail.com
Special thanks to,
- Dr. Nick Roberts
- Prof. Jackson Graham