SASKATOON — Two Saskatchewan Polytechnic alumni were recently awarded the top prize in for an energy efficiency-related applied research project where they problem-solved on a large scale. In winter 2023, classmates Peter Mourre and Austin Peppard teamed up to complete their capstone, selecting an applied research industry project between Sask Polytech and the City of Saskatoon.
Students in undertake a capstone project in the final semester of their studies—often one of an applied nature that takes the skills they have learned during their program and puts them into practice in an industry setting. The students investigated solutions to minimize heat lost from overhead doors at the City’s Access Transit bus depot—a large facility with 22 bays that see the city’s transit vehicles coming and going seven days a week all year. In winter months this means high heating costs and with rising energy rates and growing environmental concerns the city was seeking solutions to reduce heat loss.
As part of their research, the pair conducted a site visit to determine causes of heat loss and identified several—both wear-and-tear and design-related. “We looked at all the possible causes,” explains Mourre, and discovered cold air infiltration due to various factors including insulation, seals, timer settings and head room above busses, which allowed even more air to enter the space.”
Mourre and Peppard factored in the cost of various solutions to the problems they identified, including replacement of weather stripping, using an air curtain device to blow a stream of high-velocity air across the opening, and reducing the time and opening size of the doors. They then calculated the payback time it would take the city to see financial benefit from fixing the problems. “Working on a capstone is different from a normal academic assignment,” says Peppard, “because it’s not just numbers on paper. It’s something that could be applied in real life.”
“This was the first time I have worked on a project with mechanical engineering technology students,” says Kathryn Theede, Energy and Sustainability Engineering manager with the City of Saskatoon. “Peter and Austin were very prepared and professional. The information they presented in their final report will certainly inform our decision making on future projects.”
“The work Austin and Peter did on their capstone project was very high quality,” agrees program head Kurt Soucy. “They went beyond what is expected in terms of final reporting, and for this reason I suggested they submit their report to Technology Accreditation Canada (TAC)’s technology report contest.”
Soucy’s instinct, it turns out, was spot on. Mourre and Peppard took the top prize of $1,000 for their joint entry. The contest, which has been running annually for the past four years, recognizes excellence in research, design, testing, analysis and conclusions related to a significant technology-related issue. Entrants are graded on a variety of factors including their report’s originality, complexity, academic rigor and innovation. The adjudicators also consider the report’s format and its recommendations.
“Peter and Austin’s report demonstrated strength in technical research, but also extensive use of graphs, tables, diagrams, and copious calculations to display and justify parameters of the final design,” says Muktha Tumkur, executive director for TAC. “Their methods of data gathering were meticulous and comprehensive, which provided accurate data for developing the solution that incorporated safety and environmental considerations. All in all, an excellent report, formatted and presented well.”
Soucy notes that the final project report demonstrates an important outcome of a successful student capstone project: “Often, student teams can develop specialized knowledge and skill sets, which rival or surpass those of their faculty advisors or industry sponsors. Peter and Austin certainly confirmed this through development of the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models required to dynamically simulate the action of proposed air-curtain devices. Their instructors and industry contacts they worked with were very impressed with the research and solutions they presented.”
Brenda Suru, dean of the Faculty of Technology and Skilled Trades, was pleased to offer congratulations to the student team, adding, “This industry capstone project allowed these students to leverage their foundational mechanical engineering technology education to progress well past base program learning outcomes. Winning the TAC Technology Report Contest for their work further demonstrates Sask Polytech’s high-quality education in action. Congratulations to these fine students—and now graduates—of the program!”
“We could not have succeeded without the support of our instructor, Ravi Jassar,” says Peppard. “He helped us achieve a level of accuracy we couldn’t have achieved on our own by generously sharing his extensive knowledge of CFD and heat transfer principles.”
“Ravi was truly a mentor on this project,” agrees Mourre. “We really appreciated his time and support.”
Mourre and Peppard finished their program in early spring and graduated in June. Mourre is now working as a new grad technologist on manufacturing engineering projects with Calian Composites in Saskatoon. “I’m doing a lot of things we were taught in our program,” he says, “helping fabricators with processes to make their lives easier.” Peppard was also hired immediately after graduating and is now working as a junior designer doing 3D modeling and drafting with Mainstay Engineers and Owner Reps in Saskatoon.
Mourre reflects on what it means to have been selected by TAC and says, “The award makes me feel confident in my work. It helped me realize that if you put the engineering methodology into practice you can produce high-quality work, regardless of the subject matter. That’s validating.”
Peppard credits their program head for encouraging them to go the extra mile and submit their capstone to the competition. “If Kurt didn’t push us to take that extra step, we wouldn’t have had this opportunity,” he considers. “I was in disbelief when we learned we’d won. It feels good to get that kind of recognition.”
For information on the Mechanical Engineering Technology program, visit our website:
— Submitted by Saskatchewan Polytechnic
