Month: March 2025

Authors: Zoe Mahoney; Christian Chadwick; Fernand Gay

Advisor: Paul Mathisen

Category: Undergraduate

Abstract/Description:
Stormwater runoff is a leading cause of pollution contributing to several public health, environmental, and economic issues. As the world’s population continues to grow, urbanize, and demand more resources, stormwater runoff is bound to increase due to the abundance of impervious surfaces. Therefore, it is important to understand where stormwater infrastructure is located and where stormwater is collected and discharged to help mitigate illicit discharges. As part of stormwater runoff regulation in Massachusetts, municipalities are required to map their stormwater sewer systems. The current regulation in Massachusetts is called the 2016 Small MS4 General Permit. Unfortunately, stormwater regulation for small MS4s is a federally unfunded mandate which leaves most municipalities scrambling to find the time, resources, and qualified individuals needed to map their infrastructure. Municipalities currently face the challenge of mapping interconnections between local and state-owned properties such as highways managed by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, that run through their municipalities. This makes it difficult to determine where stormwater runoff is collecting in certain areas, as well as how that stormwater is being managed. Using a case study approach, recommendations have been developed to facilitate the collaboration between Central Massachusetts municipalities and the MassDOT in regards to their geospatial data associated with mapping stormwater sewer systems.

Authors: Robert Ciotti; Simone Williams

Advisor: Nima Rahbar

Category: Undergraduate

Abstract/Description:
Concrete has the greatest, most wide-spread usage of any construction material. However, cracking and deterioration remains a prominent issue with this material. This project researched the feasibility of reinforcing concrete with aluminum foams and stainless-steel fibers. 10 PPI, 20 PPI, and 40 PPI 6106-T6 aluminum foams and stainless steel A16 fibers were used as reinforcement in 1 x 1 x 1 cubes of cement paste and cured for 14 days before tested in compression. The goal of this project was to evaluate whether these reinforcement materials have positively reinforced the cement, and whether changing the composite structure can yield a stronger concrete material.

Authors: Amanda Wetmore; Emma Bennett; Jenna Hirshfeld

Advisor: Michael Timko

Category: Undergraduate

Abstract/Description:
The need for clean, renewable energy is becoming increasingly crucial due to the negative environmental impacts associated with burning fossil fuels and the depleting supply of nonrenewable energy sources. Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) is an energy producing process that has the potential to replace nonrenewable energy sources. HTL is a thermochemical conversion process that converts biomass such as algae, wood, and sewage sludge into liquid biocrude. HTL, compared to other thermochemical conversion methods, is especially attractive because it allows for a wet feedstock. Sewage sludge is a cheap and abundant waste that can be used as feedstock for HTL due to its high water content. Although HTL is a promising source of clean, renewable energy, more information is needed on its energy efficiency and factors that contribute to the efficiency of the process.

In this study, we used energy return on investment (EROI) to measure the energy efficiency of HTL and determined which factors in the process were most impactful on EROI. We then included the energy required for biocrude upgrading into the study as a correction factor for EROI and projected EROI values for literature studies based on their specific process conditions. Our study revealed that biocrude yield, feedstock solids loading, and biocrude higher heating value have the most influence on the EROI of HTL. When determining EROI we varied biocrude yield from 10-60%, feedstock solids loading from 0.075-0.325 wt fraction, and biocrude higher heating value from 35.6-43.5 MJ/kg. The resulting EROI values ranged from 0.91 to 20.81 and the trends demonstrated that EROI increases with increasing biocrude yield, solids loading, and heating value. Including the upgrading process as a correction factor drastically decreases the EROI, making the new range 0.64-3.43.

Authors: Madison Rutherford; Gabriel Espinosa; Lucien Wallace

Advisor: Adam Powell

Category: Undergraduate

Abstract/Description:
As the lightest structural metal available, magnesium can be used in a variety of applications ranging from fuel-efficient vehicles to negative-emission fuel cells. Current challenges such as costly and environmentally damaging production processes have prevented its widespread use. In order to address this, a novel magnesium production process using Molten Salt Electrolysis (MSE) and Gravity-Driven Multi-Effect-Thermal System (G-METS) Distillation has been proposed. Our team ran high-temperature electrolysis experiments and developed a Techno-Economic Analysis, Life Cycle Analysis, and industrial-scale models to determine the feasibility, efficiency, and environmental impact of this process.

Author: Justine Davids

Category: Undergraduate

Abstract/Description:
Due to the harmful effects of climate change, carbon removal solutions need to be assessed for the health of the planet. This report assesses microalgae and macroalgae as carbon dioxide removal. To do this, the feasibility, scalability, co-benefits to the environment, potential consequences, and permanence of storage for microalgae and macroalgae were assessed. If microalgae and macroalgae are to be used within this space, the viability of the solution to be negative emissions heavily depends on the process of the individual product or system.

Authors: Claire Victor; Yu Him Au; Olivia Lattanzi; Dan Seeley

Advisor: Fiona Levey

Category: Undergraduate

Abstract/Description:
Modern digitalization has led to massive growth in data center (DC) electricity consumption – half of which is dedicated to IT equipment cooling. This project investigated the viability of an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) for DC waste heat recovery in terms of mechanical practicality, sustainability, and economic feasibility. A liquid cooling system for capturing CPU waste heat with microchannel heat sinks was designed with COMSOL simulation software. An integrated thermodynamic, fluid, and heat exchanger analysis was developed in MATLAB to fully characterize the ORC heat recovery system. The payback period of the optimized design was under 5 years, thereby enabling the DC to reduce energy demands, as well as generate revenue from its cooling.

Authors: Gabriel Espinosa; Alexander Wadsworth; Jack Hanlon

Advisors: Marja Bakermans; Geoffrey Pfeiffer; Sarah Strauss

Category: First Year

Abstract/Description:
Humanity is not prepared for its own renewable energy ambitions. With electricity generation driven by the combustion of fossil fuels, carbon capture technologies present a viable means of transitioning to clean energy. The implementation of an emissions capture device on the WPI campus for carbon use in the greater Worcester area will establish the university as a sustainable leader in higher education.