New Jersey Chemistry Olympics - 2009

Event 3: Chemical Engineering Research: 

Device to Propel a Jet of Liquid to a Maximum Distance

This event is limited to the first 15 entries

Objective

Design and construct a device that is used to propel a jet of liquid to a maximum distance.  

Such a device uses in its design many chemical engineering and chemistry principles, for example:

• P-V-T relationships – most designs are based on pumping air into a fixed volume, therefore increasing pressure

• Fluid flow – desirable designs avoid frictional losses in water lines (avoid sharp bends, tubes should be smooth)

• Pressure drop – Should be minimized in the triggering mechanism

 Requirements

• Search for background information on the title subject
• Design and build an operating model
• Materials Permitted: 
  • 1] Any raw materials may be used to construct your device.  Raw materials include, but are not limited to plastic hoses, pipes, tubes, hose clamps, o-rings, gears, angle iron, lumber, hinges, screws, nails, springs, wire, pulleys, drive belts,  etc.  "Raw materials" refer to never-before-used, off-the-shelf items that are intended to be used to build something more complex. Anything that has been manufactured as an end product is not a raw material.  For example, a bucket or a plastic bag are end products, so they cannot be used.  A hinge may be used because it is not an end product since it cannot be used alone -- it is intended to be part of something more complex.
  • 2] Any recycled materials clearly marked with the Universal Recycle Symbol 1, 2, 3 or 4 may be used. The symbol must be visible when the part is added to your device. Recycled materials must be "obviously recycled" -- that is, you may not buy something simply to recycle it for use in this project.
  • 3]  You may cannibalize parts from one commercial product up to 10% of the weight of the commercial product.   For example, you may choose to use the 14.0 gram trigger plus the 5.0 gram nozzle from a 200.0 gram water pistol (19.0 grams < 10%).  Weight of parts must be certified by the coach in writing.  No other commercial kits or products may be used.
  • It is recommended that teams consider submitting a Request for Part Use Approval as their Clarification Question to ensure that their design is within the requirements stated above.  Teams are limited to one clarification per event.
• Power Sources: 
  • External power sources are not permitted.  
  • Power sources are restricted to manpower. This means that pumps running off electricity are not allowed, but hand pumps would be acceptable. 
  • Hand pumps must be attached to the device and must operate within the size restrictions stated below.
  • All sources of power must be attached to the device at all times.
  • The device may not be pre-charged.  For example, the device may not be pre-filled with water nor pressurized ahead of time. 
  • CO₂ cartridges and similar gas storing devices are not permitted
• Size Restrictions:
  • The entire device must fit inside a Concrete Form Tube of dimensions 8" round and 32" high (Concrete forms are available at Home Depot). 
  • No part of the device may extend or unfold beyond these dimensions at any time. Violation will result in disqualification from event.
• Test your model and record data
• Write a report based on your results and conclusions and show how your device is designed upon the principles of chemical engineering.
• Include weight certification in appendix

Note:  most designs use a pressurized system, so materials of construction must be able to withstand operating pressure

 NJIT Efficacy Test

After all oral presentations, competitors will gather outside in front of Tiernan Hall to conduct the Efficacy Test.  All teams will propel a jet of water one at a time with the goal to achieve maximum distance.  Devices will be tested in the order outlined in the schedule.  (That is, the team that presented in the 8:30 time slot propels first).  Two rounds of testing will take place.  Once all teams have tested their device in Round 1, the teams may choose to test a second time in Round 2.  If they choose to test in Round 2 -- the distance in Round 1 will be discarded and replaced by the distance in Round 2 -- regardless of the efficacy of the Round 2 test.  The order of testing for Round 2 will be determined by a team's standing in Round 1 -- beginning with least effective. Once a team declares not to not to take part in Round 2 their Round 1 distance is final.

Once the judges call a team to test their device a team will have 60 seconds to load their device with water and pressurize it.  Devices must start empty.

Guidelines

• This events must be completed by a team of 2 or 3 students.
• All sources of information must be identified clearly (written sources as well as a list of people who provided assistance)
• All research papers must be built upon information acquired from a minimum of 3 PRIMARY SOURCES.  Although Internet sources may also be utilized in addition to the primary sources judges will be looking at how students select and use information gathered from primary sources.  Examples of primary sources include articles found in peer-reviewed professional journals such as Nature, Science and Journal of Chemical Education.  Peer-reviewed professional journals are available at post-secondary academic libraries.  Peer-reviewed journals that are accessed online are acceptable.  Magazines such as Discover, Science News, Popular Science and Scientific American, although informatory are not peer-reviewed professional journals. You are required to submit photocopies of the first three pages of each primary source used in your paper.
• Any conclusions you form must be based upon your own experimental data from experiments you conduct at your own high school facility.  Commercial assistance is not permitted.
• Your written report may not exceed ten pages - 12 pt., double spaced plus a 2-Part Appendix:  Part 1: up to 10 pages of diagrams, charts, etc. Part 2: Photocopies of the first 3 pages of the primary source articles used in your research.).  Include a cover page that indicates the title of the paper, authors, school, team A or B (if applicable)
• The Appendix must include: 

  Part 1 (max 10 pages).

  • full instructions for the experimental procedures utilized in your analysis,  
  • a complete listing of references used in your research (written sources as well as a list of people who provided assistance)

  Part 2 (minimum 9 pages)

  • Photocopies of the first 3 pages of the primary source articles used in your research.
  • Abstract in lieu of article are not acceptable.
• Prepare either a freestanding poster (maximum 1 x 1-m) or a Power Point presentation that summarizes your research.  Presentations must reflect the information and data presented in the written report.  Schools must supply their own computers, LCD projectors and/or overhead projectors.  A screen will be made available.
• The written paper and poster/Power Point must adhere to the ACS Style Guide.
• Be prepared to make a 3-5-minute oral presentation, one-on-one with the judges.
• Four (4) copies of the complete report (plus DVD/CD, if applicable) must be received by the Director of the NJCO by the deadline indicated in the Competition Guidelines. The reports must be clearly labeled with the school name.  If applicable, also indicate, team A or B.
• In addition to submitting 4 paper copies of each research paper, teams are also required to submit their papers to turnitin.com for review.  All submissions must be in the form of a single file in MS-Word format.
• Bring one extra copy of your report the day of the event.
• A team may be disqualified, if they are not ready to start at the scheduled time of their presentation.

Judging Criteria 

• Written report, 25 points

•  PowerPoint and/or poster presentation,  20 points

• Oral presentation, 15 points

•  Demonstration of equipment operation, 25 points

• Safety of operation, 15 points

• Distance achieved during outdoor testing, 1 point/ft

Team Identification

Each submission (research reports, web CDs, lab reports, etc) must include the following 4 items:

• name of school

• team A or B, designation, if applicable

• names of students (clearly printed legibly)

• name of coach

Event Designed by Laurent Simon & Joesph Kisutsca, NJIT

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Last Updated January 04, 2009