College
College of Engineering (COE)
Date of Last Revision
2023-05-03 16:49:39
Major
Mechanical Engineering - Cooperative Education
Honors Course
4600:497 Mechanical Engineering Design Honors Project
Number of Credits
4
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Date of Expected Graduation
Spring 2020
Abstract
The purpose of this design project is to create a recycling facility for energy materials. Different energy systems will be analyzed to determine the most economically appropriate energy material to recycle. A list of the energy systems to be analyzed includes catalyst converters, wind turbines, lithium ion batteries, photo-voltaic cells, and precious materials with high energy applications. This study involves two main parts: the research to determine the most appropriate energy material for recycling, while also choosing or creating recycling processes efficient enough to reduce the US’s reliance on foreign nations for obtaining their rare-earth materials. The second part is the design of the facility and determining a combination of machines and processes to be used. An economic analysis of the energy material and facility will be completed. The objective for this study was partially stated. The US relies heavily on multiple nations for the mining and importing of rare-earth, high energy, application materials. There is also little infrastructure currently for recycling or reusing these materials. Constantly purchasing these materials places a large financial burden on the US. Most importantly, throwing away these used materials is extremely harmful to our environment and needs to be reduced.
Research Sponsor
Dr. Siamak Farhad
First Reader
Dr. Alper Buldum
Second Reader
Dr. Guo-Xiang Wang
Honors Faculty Advisor
Dr. Dane Quinn
Recommended Citation
Kitko, Bartholomew; Berger, Matthew; Chiti, Elias; Harris, Trayce; and Kulesa, Mark, "Designing a Recycling Facility for Energy Materials" (2020). Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects. 1176.
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/honors_research_projects/1176