Project Details

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Renewable Energy Preheater Tower

Company: ZAP Engineering & Construction Services, Inc. 2

Major(s):
Primary: EGEE
Secondary: ME
Optional: EE

Non-Disclosure Agreement: NO

Intellectual Property: NO

A cement preheater is a large structural tower that houses the preheater cyclone equipment for the pyro processing system of a cement production facility. The tower is typically in excess of 300 feet tall and has a large footprint. Unlike a building of similar size, the outside of the tower is not covered in windows but is either left open or enclosed with siding. This leaves a large amount of surface area available for use that does not obstruct operations and also, with the significant structure already designed to support heavy industrial equipment, it has the structural capacity for modification. This makes it an ideal target for conversion of the outer surfaces with solar panels. Additionally, the height of the tower and in many scenarios the position of the tower near a waterway or within mountainous regions has high wind conditions at the top of the tower, presents a secondary opportunity to integrate a wind turbine into the tower. The project will present the team with an example preheater tower and location to be used as a test case. The combined solar and wind energy generation will be evaluated to determine the green power generation of the facility. A potential model of the system can be constructed with a scale 3D print of the tower and utilizing solar and wind simulations for generating power.