More Energy, Cleaner Water

Previously, I have made a prototype in the form of a 3D model of a desalination factory. I have focused on incorporating clean/renewable energy sources and desalination plants, this is by constructing a pipe that, instead of utilizing saltwater pumps, will utilize the power of gravity to pull water down. A turbine will be mounted within the pipe, which would be pushed by water. The turbine would be attached to the generator, which would then have provided hydroelectric electricity. Said hydroelectric electricity would then be used to power the desalination process. I used a series of equations after that, in order to determine the energy the turbine would produce, as well as compare it with the total amount of energy required to desalinate salt water.

After I concluded my project, I inquired about whether or not I could optimize my prototype in order to generate more energy. So my project is going to be dedicated to answering “To what extent can I optimize the production of hydroelectric electricity through utilizing a gravitational force?”

If

said pump was adjusted, in which its angle of elevation was greatly expanded and the pipe itself was extended, the 3D model would be capable of producing even more energy, granted that the length would allow more of the initial potential energy of the water to be converted into kinetic energy, which leads to a higher velocity, thus producing more energy from the turbine. In addition, deepening the angle of elevation will result in a greater force of gravity applied to the water, as it is equal to mgsinθ.

There are multiple energy sources that we use in order to extract or recover energy. These energy sources are divided into types, renewable energy sources, and non-renewable energy sources.

1. Non-renewable energy sources

Non-renewable energy comes from sources that will run out or will not be replenished within our lifetimes. The most common non-renewable energy sources are fossil fuels. Approximately 80 percent of the overall amount of electricity consumed worldwide annually comes from fossil fuels. Fossil fuels were created as the remains of marine creatures that have been decomposed under immense pressure and heat millions of years ago. Most fossil fuels are burned to generate energy and electricity. Another non-renewable energy source is nuclear energy. Nuclear Energy and radiation are released during Nuclear fusion or Nuclear fission.

Most non-renewable energy sources cause damage to the environment and the human body. The burning of fossil fuels emits multiple greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. All greenhouse gases contribute to the greenhouse effect, consequently effecting Climate change/Global warming. These gases could also affect the well-being of humans by causing issues in the respiratory system. Nuclear energy also emits enormous amounts of radiation.

Exposure to radiation could weaken and break up DNA, damage cells enough to kill them or cause them to mutate in ways that may eventually lead to cancer. structural changes in the DNA could disturb regular cell processes such as the mechanisms that control cell division. Cells that can't control their division grow out of control, therefore, becoming cancerous. Radiation also affects plant-life and soil. Radioactive material can damage plant tissue as well as disrupt plant growth. Mutations are also possible due to the damage caused to the DNA. Radioactive material in the soil can prevent nutrients from being taken in by plants, causing the soil to be infertile.

However, non-renewable energy sources are still being used around the world for multiple reasons. Non-renewable energy sources are efficient, meaning that small quantities could generate huge amounts of energy.

2. Renewable energy sources

Renewable energy sources are energy sources that do not deplete and can be replenished within a human’s lifetime. The most common renewable energy sources are wind energy, solar power, geothermal energy, Bioenergy, and hydropower. Renewable energy sources produce 13.5% of the world’s total energy supply and 22% of the world's electricity. Renewable energy systems are better for the environment and produce fewer emissions than conventional non-renewable energy sources. Wind energy utilizes the kinetic energy of wind in order to generate electricity. Solar power utilizes solar panels in order to capture energy emitted from the Sun. Hydropower uses the movement of water bodies in order to generate power/electricity. Bioenergy utilizes biomass for energy. Geothermal energy is the production of energy using the internal heat of the Earth’s crust.

1.Independent Variable: The vertical length of the pipe.

2.Dependent Variable: Amount of energy generated.

3.Controlled Variables:

• Pipe radius
• Gravitational force
• Turbine
• Water

Due to lockdown and lack of supply caused by the current COVID-19 situation, it was needed to resort to developing a 3D model of the concept. The following are the materials required:

1.Laptop: Necessary for access to Tinkercad.com

2.Tinkerkcad: A 3D modeling program known for its simplicity and ease of use.

3.Calculator: Makes solving equations easier.

1. Prepare:
2. Organize the materials
   1. Sign Up on Tinkercad.com
   2. Create an empty 3D model template
3. Prepare the Innovation:
   1. Design a pipe
      1. Create a circle in the pipe
      2. Generate a model of the turbine in order to mount it in the pipe
      3. Create a model of a DC motor (Small-sized Generator)
   2. Design two models
      1. Design Storage model
         1. At the lower end of the pipe
         2. Acts as storage to the saltwater collected
      2. Design Sea/Shore model
         1. Box
         2. Design a model to look like water
            1. 1.Waves
            2. Blue
            3. Transparent
   3. Design decorations
      1. Generate a house model
      2. Extend it to look like a desalination plant
      3. Add cylinders to look as smokestacks
4. Find results
   1. Use the dimensions on the 3D model in order to determine how much power it would generate.
   2. Do this with 7 different angles.

There is an evident connection between the pipe’s angle and the energy output of the model. Said connection seems to be quadratic, in which the difference between energy outputs becomes smaller as we increase angle. Such quadratic relationships also include the relationship between the pipe’s angle and the mass flow rate, in addition to the final velocity. The equations for these quadratic relationships are as follows:

• Energy Output: y = -0.00000867x^2 + 0.003073x + -0.0145

• Mass Flow Rate: y = -0.0000321x^2 + 0.00543x + 0.09891

• Final Velocity: y = -0.0001026x^2 + 0.01735x + 0.3156

These particular patterns occur due to the fact that as the angle of elevation increases, the net height also increases, with adds to the energy output, additionally, the force of gravity parallel to the pipe also increases, thus, the water accelerates at a faster rate, subsequently causing a greater mass flow rate and a higher energy output.

Overall, it is possible to limit the use and dependency on non-renewable energy sources through optimizing the use of renewable energy sources and widening the forms in which renewable energy sources could take place. Additionally, it is also noticeable that as the angle of elevation of the pipe increases, the quantity of energy produced increases, proving my hypothesis correct, which suggested that such patterns would occur.

The concept has the potential to have a vital impact on energy and how it would be produced/managed. -As mentioned above-, there are numerous negative effects that are induced by the excessive use of non-renewable energy sources, including:

The burning of fossil fuels emits multiple greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. All greenhouse gases contribute to the greenhouse effect, consequently effecting Climate change/Global warming. These gases could also affect the well-being of humans by causing issues in the respiratory system. Exposure to radiation could weaken and break up DNA, damage cells enough to kill them or cause them to mutate in ways that may eventually lead to cancer. structural changes in the DNA could disturb regular cell processes such as the mechanisms that control cell division. Cells that can't control their division grow out of control, therefore, becoming cancerous. Radiation also affects plant-life and soil. Radioactive material can damage plant tissue as well as disrupt plant growth. Mutations are possible due to the damage caused to the DNA. Radioactive material in the soil can prevent nutrients from being taken in by plants, causing the soil to be infertile. Thus, the concept will significantly mitigate such negative effects, and protect human well-being as well as the environment.

ATL skills:

1- Research skills: Research skills have improved for me, this is due to the research I've done for background research as well as the research I've done in order to calculate the quantity of energy the model is able to produce.

2- Self-management skills: Self-management skills were adequate. Time dedicated to the innovation was inconsistent. However, the submission of the project was on time despite the huge quantity of work by other subjects.