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Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title Sustainable Processes (Design Project)
Module Code MM314 (ITS) / MEC1019 (Banner)
Faculty Engineering & Computing School Mechanical & Manufacturing Eng
Module Co-ordinatorGreg McNamara
Module TeachersLorna Fitzsimons
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 10
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
None
Description

This module has been designed to integrate much of the engineering knowledge, skill and expertise gained by the students in the preceding 4 semesters of their program. Students are required to apply their engineering know-how to design, model, build and test a renewable energy system for a water delivery process. Design and modelling of the system will run for the duration of semester 1, with building and testing taking place in semester 2.

Learning Outcomes

1. Designate a Project Manager, form a baseline plan, develop schedule, work packages and task lists. Determine resources required
2. Produce a Product Design Specification for an engineering design problem
3. Select and apply appropriate system modelling tools for system design and development
4. Produce P&ID drawings for the system
5. Design and build process components with the additive manufacturing process
6. Design and develop the project control system
7. Assess the sustainability of the system using environmental assessment software
8. Evaluate system efficacy and energy efficiency



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture12Bi-weekly 1 hour lecture spread across two semesters
Seminars6Student presentations, on-line workshops
Independent Study110Team meetings, design and modelling work
Laboratory72System and process model development
Independent Study50Semester 2
Total Workload: 250

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Pump design
Students will be required to firstly determine the power required to lift a given flowrate of water to a selected height and then design and manufacture an appropriate size pump.

Energy storage
Students will be required to design and build an energy storage device

Renewable energy process design
Students are required to design and build either a solar panel or wind turbine

Control and analysis
Students will design and build a control and automation system that will facilitate monitoring and data acquisition

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Report(s)Final report60%n/a
Group presentationStudents will be required to present their project plan, schedule, system design and any models or simulations5%Week 12
Performance evaluationStudents will be required to demonstrate the efficacy of their system design at the end of the project15%Week 24
Group laboratoryStudents will be assessed on the process and system modelling produced on the various software platforms20%n/a
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories:
Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module.
Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 2
Indicative Reading List

  • Jack Gido,Jim Clements,Rose Baker: 2017, Successful Project Management, 7th, Nelson Education, United States, 1337095478
  • Richard C. Dorf,Robert H. Bishop: 2017, Modern Control Systems, Global Edition, 13th, Pearson, London, 1292152974
  • Ziyad Salameh: 2014, Renewable Energy System Design, 1st, Academic Press, United Kingdom, 0123749913
Other Resources

None

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