Development of a measurement and data acquisition system for an agricultural ventilation equipment testing chamber

Bolen, William Hunter

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/121566 Copy

Description

Title

Development of a measurement and data acquisition system for an agricultural ventilation equipment testing chamber

Author(s)

Bolen, William Hunter

Issue Date

2023-07-21

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Zhang, Yuanhui

Committee Member(s)

• Ford, Steven
• Davidson, Paul

Department of Study

Agricultural & Biological Engr

Discipline

Technical Systems Management

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• DAQ
• Wind tunnel

Abstract

Agricultural ventilation equipment, including fans, air inlets, light traps and evaporating pads, must be accurately evaluated for performance parameters such as airflow rate, pressure drop and energy efficiency. These performance parameters are critical for the ventilation equipment manufacturers to improve their products and for end users to select appropriate products. Accurate measurement and report of the performance allows ventilation equipment manufacturers and end users to make informed decisions about the equipment type and size for their facilities. The Bioenvironmental Engineering Structure and System (BESS) laboratory has been serving the agricultural ventilation equipment industry since 1990 by providing performance measurement collection and communication by publishing the performance data both in hard copies and online. The BESS Lab has a fan test chamber with a flow rate range between 47 L/s (100 cfm) to 18,878 L/s (40,000 cfm), at a pressure range of 0-2,000 Pa. The chamber was developed according to AMCA 210 for airflow measurement. This research aims to develop a new measurement and data acquisition (DAQ) system for the fan test chamber in the BESS Laboratory. This new system features updated electronic ambient air measurement systems, new temperature and pressure sensors, new tachometer and electrical meters, as well as an updated graphical user interface (GUI) that displays measured variables inside and outside of the chamber. The new system proved to be more accurate and robust, and user-friendly with more automated features, thus improving the performance of the testing facility. When comparing fan airflow tests between the new and old system, the airflow rates were found to be within -1.89% to 1.54% of each other. The energy efficiency rates were also found to be within -2.48% to 2.27% of each other.

Graduation Semester

2023-08

Type of Resource

Thesis

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2023 William Bolen

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