Methodology
1. Fill a 10-gallon aquarium with (7) gallons of water.
2. Submerge the testing enclosure into the water.
3. Heat a 12 oz. concrete block in an oven for 15 minutes at 450 F.
(Start of Control Experiment)
4. Place the roof geometry on top of the testing enclosure.
5. Include (4) drops of ink into a small pipette and depress the ink in the bottom of the testing enclosure.
6a. Record visual (qualitative) stratification of ink.
6b. Record temperature (quantitative) variation at (2) heights within the testing enclosure.
7. Remove the roof geometry from the testing enclosure
8. Remove ink via a siphon.
9. Replace the water removed with the siphon until the aquarium holds (7) gallons of water again.
(Start of Variable Experiment)
10. Place the concrete block on the felt pad at the bottom of the testing enclosure once it is sufficiently heated.
11. Place the roof geometry on top of the testing enclosure.
12. Include 4 drops of ink into a small pipette and depress the ink in the bottom of the testing enclosure.
13a. Record visual (qualitative) stratification of ink.
13b. Record temperature (quantitative) variation at (2) heights within the testing enclosure.
14. Drain the aquarium and clean the testing enclosure after both the qualitative and quantitative data is collected.
15. Repeat for each different roof geometry.
2. Submerge the testing enclosure into the water.
3. Heat a 12 oz. concrete block in an oven for 15 minutes at 450 F.
(Start of Control Experiment)
4. Place the roof geometry on top of the testing enclosure.
5. Include (4) drops of ink into a small pipette and depress the ink in the bottom of the testing enclosure.
6a. Record visual (qualitative) stratification of ink.
6b. Record temperature (quantitative) variation at (2) heights within the testing enclosure.
7. Remove the roof geometry from the testing enclosure
8. Remove ink via a siphon.
9. Replace the water removed with the siphon until the aquarium holds (7) gallons of water again.
(Start of Variable Experiment)
10. Place the concrete block on the felt pad at the bottom of the testing enclosure once it is sufficiently heated.
11. Place the roof geometry on top of the testing enclosure.
12. Include 4 drops of ink into a small pipette and depress the ink in the bottom of the testing enclosure.
13a. Record visual (qualitative) stratification of ink.
13b. Record temperature (quantitative) variation at (2) heights within the testing enclosure.
14. Drain the aquarium and clean the testing enclosure after both the qualitative and quantitative data is collected.
15. Repeat for each different roof geometry.
Note: A control experiment was run before each variable experiment in order to show what effect the heated concrete block had upon the ink that was introduced into the testing enclosure.
Changes to Methodology
1. The Allen key was replaced with a concrete block, as the Allen key was too small to create a sufficient amount of heat that would result in a change in temperature. Additionally, the decision to use a concrete block instead of a metal object was made in order to use a material which had a higher thermal mass.
2. The need to secure the roof geometry to the testing environment was deemed unnecessary after running initial tests. These tests showed that the roof generally stayed in place throughout the experiment. However, the fins on either side of the testing enclosure and roof geometries remain as to allow some surface area for the two geometries to come into contact with.
2. The need to secure the roof geometry to the testing environment was deemed unnecessary after running initial tests. These tests showed that the roof generally stayed in place throughout the experiment. However, the fins on either side of the testing enclosure and roof geometries remain as to allow some surface area for the two geometries to come into contact with.
Progression of heated element.
Preliminary Methodology
1. Fill a 10-gallon aquarium with 9 1/2 gallons of water.
2. Submerge the testing enclosure into the water.
3. Heat a 4 oz. metal Allen key by placing it in boiling water for 6 minutes.
4. Place the Allen key on the felt pad at the bottom of the testing enclosure once it is sufficiently heated.
5. Secure the roof geometry to the testing enclosure.
6. Include 4 drops of ink into a small pipette and introduce the ink inside the bottom of the enclosure.
7a. Record visual (qualitative) stratification of ink.
7b. Record temperature (quantitative) variation at (4) heights in testing environment.
8. Drain the aquarium and clean the testing environment after both the qualitative and quantitative data is collected.
9. Repeat the process for each roof geometry.
2. Submerge the testing enclosure into the water.
3. Heat a 4 oz. metal Allen key by placing it in boiling water for 6 minutes.
4. Place the Allen key on the felt pad at the bottom of the testing enclosure once it is sufficiently heated.
5. Secure the roof geometry to the testing enclosure.
6. Include 4 drops of ink into a small pipette and introduce the ink inside the bottom of the enclosure.
7a. Record visual (qualitative) stratification of ink.
7b. Record temperature (quantitative) variation at (4) heights in testing environment.
8. Drain the aquarium and clean the testing environment after both the qualitative and quantitative data is collected.
9. Repeat the process for each roof geometry.
The experiment control was executed as part of the prototype testing, and was used to confirm a uniform starting temperature. It is important to note that before the collection of any data this control test must be run to ensure a uniform temperature within the testing environment.
Screen shot showing the data collection from the Arduino software.
NOTE:
The two separate temperature sensors (devices) are differentiated by their device address.
NOTE:
The two separate temperature sensors (devices) are differentiated by their device address.