Hydraulic Institute Sponsors First Series of Successful Penn State University Engineering Capstone Projects with Members
HI Contact:
973.267.9700
membership@pumps.org
Parsippany, NJ, December 9, 2015 – The Hydraulic
Institute (HI), along with member companies KCF Technologies, Engineered
Software, Flowserve and NIDEC, sponsored a series of Penn State University Capstone
Projects that challenged college engineering students to field solutions on
complex pump engineering projects. According
to the University, the mission of Capstone Design Projects is to bring the
real-world into the classroom by providing engineering students with practical
hands-on experience.
Working in
collaboration with sponsors, as well as Penn State technicians and the University
Area Joint Authority (UAJA), student groups addressed pump system efficiency
issues using Internet-based sensor technologies and simulation modeling software. Two student teams sought engineering
solutions to one of the biggest challenges in the industrial world: reducing pump inefficiencies that account for
up to 20% to 40% of wasted electrical energy in both industrial and building
services. A third team designed and
built a pump test loop that was so well done that the sponsoring company
intends to continue its use.
Solutions to the Capstone
problem-solving projects were presented by student design teams to sponsors,
faculty members, HI staff and facility management at the New Leaf Initiative
Building on Penn State University Campus.
“The student design
teams presented complex engineering solutions that focused on modeling and analysis
of hydraulic systems at State College’s UAJA wastewater treatment facility and
pumps within the Earth-Engineering Sciences Machinery Building using some
outstanding engineering work,” notes Jeremy Frank, President & Co-founder, KCF
Technologies.
The Capstone Design Projects
included (see participating student members below):
Efficiency Analysis
of a Penn State Motor/Pump System Leading to Design Recommendations to Improve
Performance/Co-Sponsors: NIDEC and KCF Technologies
In this project,
students initially identified a motor/pump system located on Penn State campus
and collected working drawings to identify component specifications and learn
about system operating conditions. Implementing
a pump design software tool developed by Engineered Software, Inc. called P∙SMART
and KCF Technologies’ wireless vibration monitoring kit, the design team, then,
conducted an efficiency analysis of current pump system operations. Students also analyzed live vibration data
(via SmartDignostics) related to the motor/pump performance within a regularly
scheduled timeframe.
Design and Fabrication of a Pump Test Loop/Sponsor: Flowserve
Working to Flowserve’s
specifications to design and build a pump loop for future training and testing
purposes at its Bethlehem facility, students designed a piping layout,
purchased necessary construction materials, assembled the loop, then, operated
it using a pump and motor supplied by Flowserve. The team created a final report documenting
all design decisions, appropriate drawings, proper instrumentation and assembly
instructions.
Jessica Phillips,
Engineering Manager, Flowserve Corporation, says, “As a fellow engineer, I was
impressed how quickly these mechanical engineering students learned to design a
solid pump test loop with proper instrumentation using HI standards with
excellent results.”
The Penn State
Capstone Projects are just the beginning of HI’s endeavor to work with
manufacturing members and leading engineering universities and colleges in
implementing many diverse Capstone programs related to pump systems
optimization. In addition to creating
greater awareness of needed pump system efficiency within the pumping
industries, these Capstone projects will help to recruit qualified mechanical
engineering graduates to these industries.
Mark Sullivan,
Director, Education & Marketing, Hydraulic Institute, explains, “Pumps
touch many aspects of modern society.
Our mission is to bring new engineering talent to this vital technology
area. In reaching new graduates, while
touting the importance of pump system efficiency, we plan to further expand our
joint educational efforts with engineering schools such as Penn State.”
For more information
on how to get your company involved or for Capstone Design Project ideas,
contact Mary Silver at 973-267-9700 x117 or msilver@pumps.org.
Students
participating in Capstone Design Project focused on Efficiency Analysis of a Penn State Motor/Pump System Leading to Design
Recommendations to Improve Performance:
* * *
KCF Technologies develop embedded intelligence
solutions and accelerate transition to commercial products through strategic
partnerships. Visit us at: https://www.kcftech.com/
Flowserve
is the recognized
world leader in supplying pumps, valves, seals, automation, and services to the
power, oil, gas, chemical, and other industries. With more than 16,000
employees in more than 50 countries, we combine our global reach with a local
presence. Visit us at: http://www.flowserve.com/
Engineered Software envisions a world where fluid piping systems are intelligently designed to leave a smaller environmental footprint while improving the reliability and ROI of industry's hidden infrastructure. The company’s mission is to assist our customers in realizing energy efficiencies through improved piping system understanding and superior equipment selection. Visit us at: https://eng-software.com/
NIDEC is the world's No.1 comprehensive motor manufacturer. With approximately 230 group companies, worldwide, Nidec offers a wide range of products, from small precision to super large motors. Find out more at: http://www.nidec.com/en-NA/
The Hydraulic Institute serves as a value-added resource to member companies, engineering consulting firms, and pump users worldwide by developing and delivering comprehensive industry standards, expanding knowledge by providing education and tools for the effective application, testing, installation, operation, maintenance, and performance optimization of pumps and pumping systems, and by serving as a forum for the exchange of industry information. For more information on the Hydraulic Institute, its member companies and its Standards Partners, visit www.Pumps.org.