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Mechanical Engineering Projects

Collection of mechanical engineering projects including HVAC analysis, computational heat transfer, CFD simulations, and design projects

May 2023
Mechanical Engineering CFD Heat Transfer MATLAB SolidWorks CAD Thermodynamics

Overview

A collection of my favorite mechanical engineering projects and technical reports. Moving forward, I’m particularly interested in using advanced modeling techniques to forecast and optimize manufacturing processes.

HVAC Analysis of Ball Arena

Spring 2023

View Technical Report

An analysis of Ball Arena’s HVAC requirements for hosting hockey games, assessing the refrigeration demands and operational costs for air conditioning and ice rink refrigeration.

Project Details

I performed a comprehensive financial and code analysis, factoring in weather forecasts, to assess the operational costs of a 3-hour game. The project included:

  • Refrigeration load calculations for ice rink maintenance
  • HVAC load analysis for spectator comfort
  • Energy cost optimization
  • Weather impact on system performance
  • Python-based simulation and analysis

The detailed code and analysis are accessible as notebook.ipynb on GitHub.


Computational Heat Transfer

Spring 2023

A collection of computational heat transfer projects completed during Heat Transfer (MEGN471). My role was to simulate the systems using MATLAB and SolidWorks, and create meaningful visualizations for team presentations.

Projects Include:

1. Analysis of Heat Flux Through Windows

Technical Report

Analyzed heat transfer through various window configurations, comparing single-pane, double-pane, and low-E glass options. Included thermal modeling and energy efficiency recommendations.

2. Optimal Fin Array for CPU Cooling with SolidWorks CFD

Technical Report

Optimized fin array geometry for CPU cooling using SolidWorks Flow Simulation. Explored various configurations to maximize heat dissipation while minimizing material usage.

3. View Factors when Cooking with a Campstove

Technical Report

Calculated radiation view factors for outdoor cooking scenarios. Applied radiative heat transfer principles to optimize cooking efficiency.

4. Best Orientation to Cool Drinks in a Refrigerator

Technical Report

Analyzed convective heat transfer to determine optimal beverage orientation for fastest cooling. Combined analytical and computational approaches.


Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)

Fall 2022

Applications of computational fluid dynamics through different studies completed during Fluid Mechanics (MEGN351).

Projects Include:

1. Computer Cooling Configuration

View Report

Analyzed airflow patterns in computer cases to optimize component cooling. Used CFD simulations to test various fan configurations.

2. Pipe Flow with Nozzle

View Report

Studied fluid dynamics through pipe systems with flow restrictions. Validated computational results against analytical solutions.

3. Airfoil Pitch Analysis

View Report

Analyzed lift and drag characteristics of airfoils at various angles of attack. Explored aerodynamic performance optimization.


Design Projects

Derby Car

Fall 2021

View Shop Drawings

Finished photos and shop drawings for my team’s winning derby car (distance category). Drawings are complete with GD&T callouts and an exploded assembly view.

Achievements:

  • First place in distance category
  • Complete CAD documentation with GD&T
  • Optimized weight distribution and aerodynamics

Elevator Button Sanitizer

Fall 2020

View Technical Report

A freshman design project aimed at reducing COVID-19 transmission through a UVC light-based retrofit for elevator buttons.

Project Scope:

  • Stakeholder collaboration and requirements gathering
  • Extensive prototype testing and validation
  • Integration across mechanical, electrical, computer science, and design engineering
  • Technical documentation and presentation

My Contribution:

  • Writing technical reports
  • Presenting findings to stakeholders
  • Guiding the team towards cohesive solutions
  • Bridging communication between different engineering disciplines

Technical Skills Demonstrated

  • CAD/Simulation: SolidWorks, MATLAB, CFD analysis
  • Analysis: Heat transfer, fluid dynamics, thermodynamics
  • Design: GD&T, assembly design, manufacturability
  • Documentation: Technical report writing, engineering drawings
  • Collaboration: Cross-functional team leadership