UCONN Mechanical Engineering Senior Design Job Ticket

Sponsoring Company: Clarcor Engine Mobile Solutions

Project Title: Fuel Filter Performance Prediction Model

Prime Contacts: Staffan Linnersten, Staffan

The Engineering Challenge: Clarcor Engine Mobile Solutions is a world leader in design, development and production of filtration systems for the industrial, automotive and agricultural industries.

Agricultural and industrial equipment (see figure 1) operate in environments where fuel filtration is critical to operating efficiency and durability. Typical fuel filtration systems consistent of a cylindrical filter housing in which the fuel passes through a porous medium filter (see figure 2) The design of these filters is highly empirical and relies on iterative testing to minimize pressure drop and optimize flow. The development process would greatly benefit with a validated analytical prediction tool.

Description of Problem/Project : The objective of this project is to develop an analytical model for the flow of fuel through a porous medium that recognizes various degress of blockage. Validation of this model is required through experiments.

Figure 1

Figure 2 Filter Cross Section and Flow

Expected Deliverables/Approach:

Research and learn the theory of fluid flow through a porous medium

Evaluate and select appropriate software

Conduct analyses to:

§  Understand and apply flow (x-axis) vs pressure drop (y-axis) on a Macro as well as Micro level

§  Understand and apply amount of specific contaminant (x-axis) and pressure drop (y-axis) at certain flow conditions

§  Demonstrate model use and output

Design and fabricate an experiment to provide validation data for the analytical model.

Evaluate prediction model accuracy.

All documentation on analysis tool

All data and CAD models (if applicable)

·  Is there a specific software package required for the projects? Y ___ N ___

Which package (name/version) ______

·  U.S. Citizen/Person (green card) Required? Y____ N __X_

·  Will Export Controlled data be used in project (EAR/ITAR) Y _____N_X__

·  NDA/IP Agreements required? Y _X__ N __

·  Other considerations: The test and machine shop capabilities at Clacor are avialble for this project