Identifying Areas to Focus on Through Indoor Air Quality Monitoring
During the summer, Nowreen Kabir carried out a research to monitor indoor air quality in different commercial and industrial sites to compare the date between the areas. To identify areas for improvement, she focused on parameters such as particulate matter levels, ventilation efficiency, temperature, humidity, chemical pollutants, carbon dioxide levels, occupancy patterns, building materials, and occupant feedback. Nowreen is currently integrating air quality monitoring into future IAC assessments, and reaching out to companies during pre-assessment meetings to conduct a more thorough research on employee awareness about indoor air quality.
Local Community Center Revitalization
This summer, students Alex Morley, Andreana Roxas, and Katie Tonielli, researched and created a guide to help community centers become more energy efficient. The inspiration for this project came from a nonprofit organization that recently purchased an old high school to turn into a community center with many services and functions.
Photo Caption: The group designed this road map toward energy efficiency. In the guide, there are common energy efficiency projects to pursue and a guide to help find funding for these projects.
Quantifying the Air Flow Volume Through Large Openings
During the summer, Behlul Kula conducted research to quantify the air flow volume through large openings, such as garage doors. The main objective was to more accurately calculate the energy loss caused by air entering the building when the garage/bay doors were open. Initial results revealed that there is further potential to improve the calculations. As a result, Yusuf Basmaci and Behlul Kula will continue to work on this. To conduct a more detailed examination, a weather station was installed on the roof of a building. This station measures wind speed and direction, allowing for a comparison of the readings with those taken at ground level.
Photo Caption: Weather station installed on the roof of a building (left) and anemometer readings (right)
Improving the Assessment Process
Students Aniruddha Naik and Kevin Sachs researched MSU’s Industrial Assessment Center assessment habits to analyze the efficacy of each step in the assessment process. Aniruddha and Kevin surveyed all of the MSU IAC student researchers and interviewed the center faculty regarding how students’ interrelationships and work habits affected the assessment process in past assessments. They then compiled the information and reported recommendations to the MSU IAC of how to change internal processes to achieve better assessment results.
Compressed Air Leaks Study
Students Michael Burns and Andrew Barnes designed, developed, built, and tested a practice compressed air system to assist with team and equipment training on the identification of air leaks of different sizes. Compressed air leaks are a significant source of energy losses in Industrial facilities, so it is important to be able to identify them during an assessment.
Developing A Searchable Photo Database
Students Chris Conkling and Josette Suarez developed an excel based searchable photo database. This database uses key tags to identify assessment and equipment photos and sorts them based on a word search match system. This database is intended to be used for training purposes for the spring ‘24 cohort to help new students understand energy systems and equipment they will see during assessments.
Photo Caption: “Air Compressor” was searched in the photo database and results are shown.
Analysis of Utility Bills from 40 Commercial and Industrial Companies
This summer student Julianna Thompson focused on assessing the utility bill analysis for 40 of the most recent assessments to establish a benchmark for blending rates, average consumption, and average energy cost breakdowns. This is important as it allows companies to compare their rates and usage to similar companies. Additionally, the data will enhance training for the Spring ‘24 cohort and allow students to understand the endless possibilities of utility analysis.
Photo Caption: Cost breakdown of electricity and natural gas for industrial companies.
