Date of Award
Fall 11-18-2022
Access Type
Dissertation - Open Access
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering
Department
Mechanical Engineering
Committee Chair
Birce Dikici
Committee Advisor
Birce Dikici
First Committee Member
Eduardo Divo
Second Committee Member
Rafael Rodriguez
Third Committee Member
Marc Compere
Fourth Committee Member
Dr. Jeff Brown
College Dean
James W. Gregory
Abstract
This study indicates how biomass materials can be effectively used as naturally sustainable alternatives to insulation materials. Barley grains and oak leaves, straw, and jute are collected, and crushed into powders/ chopped pieces. The physical characteristics are measured to characterize each powder. The biomass powder reinforced composites are manufactured in varying weight ratios. The density and thermal conductivity of composite materials are measured. The properties of composites compared to those of commercial insulation materials are found to be close to them. Furthermore, genetic algorithms (GA) can be used to achieve multi-objective optimization entailing maximizing insulation (minimizing heat transfer) and simultaneously maximizing sustainability (minimizing carbon footprint) of a designed insulation structure. The two resulting nonlinear competing objective functions will be maximized by means of evolutionary optimization techniques within a defined design space. The multi-objective optimization is achieved by building a Pareto front and determining the points of best compromise between the two objectives.
Scholarly Commons Citation
Saad, Hussein Awad Kurdi, "Biomass Characterization and Insulation Optimization Studies" (2022). Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses. 695.
https://commons.erau.edu/edt/695
