Proposal

ENGR 103 - Spring 2014
Freshman Engineering Design Lab

“Oxygen Generation from Hydrolysis in Submarines”

Project Design Proposal

Abstract:

The freshman design project is to recreate a scale model of a submarine to test its oxygen-producing systems. This process is called hydrolysis and will be the basis behind the project. The goal and motivation is to experiment with the methods already used in creating the electricity for hydrolysis to test the efficiency and learn about the process. Experiments will be made with different means to harness energy to find a more efficient way for the submarine to run. A water propeller will be used to mobilize the submarine and rotation of the turbines would be harnessed for energy. Whether or not this technique will be used is unknown. The methods of chemistry, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering will all be used to complete the tasks at hand. A final model, lab notebook, efficiency document, and final report will be the deliverables for the design.

1         Introduction

The major goals in this project are to learn about the hydrolysis chemical reaction and to experiment with the efficiency of producing oxygen. The submarine creates its own supply of oxygen for the crew to breathe. The oxygen is produced by the hydrolysis of the seawater the submarine travels through. The water molecule, H₂O, is split up into its constituent molecules of oxygen and hydrogen. The oxygen goes into the ship’s oxygen tanks to be used as needed to maintain levels for breathing while the hydrogen created from the process is expelled overboard. The technical challenges include the actual construction of it, dealing with open circuits underwater, and creation of some energy source. It is predicted that oxygen gas will be created and stored for submarine use while hydrogen gas is released.

2         Deliverables

          The freshman design project should produce a few deliverables. A design and model of a submarine will be constructed. This model should function underwater meaning that the components should be water proof. A lab notebook will be kept documenting all ideas, observations and results of the project. A document noting the efficiency (if available to calculate) will be included. A final report will be included with the submarine to describe the processes and to sum up the total freshman design experience with any problems or success that occurred.

3         Technical Activities

Below are listed, separated by subject, the main major tasks that will have to be completed for the freshman design project.

3.1      Chemistry

In order to complete the construction of the submarine, it is first essential to understand how it works and why it works. This means that extensive research must be done behind the chemistry of hydrolysis and the molecules that are produced in each reaction. Several different reactions must be taken into consideration such as the hydrolysis reaction, respiration reaction and the final combustion reaction. The study of these reactions will ensure a more efficient reaction is set up, making the submarine an efficient machine.

3.2      Mechanical and Electrical Engineering

Once the chemistry behind the reactions is understood, the construction behind the system and its surroundings must take place. This requires knowledge in electrical and mechanical engineering.

3.2.1 Electrical Engineering

For electrical engineering, the basics of batteries, capacitors and electrical currents must be understood in order to complete a circuit and drive the submarine propellers. Whether or not water turbines are used will determine if knowledge behind harnessing and storing energy is necessary to learn. This is a topic that as a group, we are not sure we can include. The main part of this that will be focused on is the electrical part of the chemical reaction of hydrolysis. Steps will be made to make this as efficient as possible.

3.2.2 Mechanical Engineering

The construction of the entire system and its surroundings will be difficult but reachable. The system must be water proof or at least semi-water proof. This means that some wires and circuits must be completely sealed or coated with water-resistant material. The surroundings will simply be a large fish tank sizeable enough for the submarine system.

4         Project Timeline

	Week
Task	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Technical activities understanding	x	x
Mechanical & Electrical design		x	x	x	x	x
Construction of design			x	x	x	x	x
Beginning tests and troubleshooting						x	x	x
Final testing and documenting						x	x	x	x
Final report, model, and other documents preparation								x	x	x

5         Facilities and Resources

          To complete the freshman design project, excessive use of the machine shop tools and the building will be used. Most, if not, all of the construction for the project will be done in here using the tools available. To measure efficiency, a faculty members’ laboratory and assistance may be needed.  Chemistry labs will be used to test any chemical reactions needed. The robotics lab can be used to gather a better understanding of electrical circuits and how they work underwater.

6         Expertise

These are the topics that need to be understood for the design project.

• Knowledge of basic circuit theory and other electricity topics
• Use of machine tools and construction
• Knowledge of electrochemistry
• Knowledge of chemical reactions
• The effects of electricity on environment

7         Budget (if appropriate)

Category	Projected Cost
Fish Tank (20 gallons)	$50.00
Wires, circuits, electrical parts
Motor Controller	From home
Propellers
Water turbines	n/a
Batteries (9-volt)	Home
TOTAL	n/a

7 If Successful…

7.1 Real Size

As of now, the model that we are designing is just a prototype. It cannot be implemented into either freshwater or saltwater for several reasons. For one, there is no way to separate the different substances in the water. This means that the chemical reaction will be inefficient or not work at all. If the water is impure, more electrical energy would be needed to allow the reaction to occur.

Another side effect if the reaction occurs is that there could be different gases, such as chlorine gas, that would be included with the hydrogen and oxygen gases. There is no simple way, to my knowledge, to separate these gases. These gases would cause back ups in the gas chamber and would be harmful to breathe in. That is why more research would be needed to use hydrolysis in submarines in real life.

7.2 Energy Production

If the project goes well by week 5 or 6, another design would try to be implemented into the project. Two propellers would be added on either side of the submarine. The goal of these is to rotate as the submarine is in motion. The rotational energy would then be converted into electrical energy (in some way) and would then be transferred back into the water to power the hydrolysis reaction. This is a bold move because it is unknown as to how much electricity can be generated from the propellers and if it will be enough for the reaction. This design will be implemented only if the project is going better than according to plan.