An add on for excel to automatically reference published thermodynamic data for hundreds of fluids. Can quickly model ventilation, heating, and refrigeration systems to see what happens when one input like ambient temperature changes.
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Name: |
REFPROPS |
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URL: |
https://www.nist.gov/srd/refprop |
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Cost: |
$325
US |
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Details related to copyright use, licensing,
intellectual property: |
Site
licensing is available for companies. It doesn't own any work or findings
done with the module. |
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Platform (Windows and/or Mac based; not
applicable): |
Windows.
It is an add on for Microsoft Excel. Will work on Microsoft Office for Macs. |
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Description: |
It
is an add on for Microsoft excel that contains all the thermodynamic
properties of common fluids. It is used to show how refrigeration and hvac
systems will react to changing conditions. |
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Advantages: |
1.
It has a lot of
data. 2.
Once the model is
set up, it is easy to see how different factors such as ambient temperature
will affect the system. |
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Disadvantages or Challenges: |
1.
It is only for
excel, so it really is for corporate users. 2.
Can be a little
difficult to learn at the beginning, especially if the students' excel
knowledge is basic. The teacher may spend more time teaching excel and the
specific add on module than what it is being used for. |
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Level of Expertise Required (Instructor and
students): |
Needs a good understanding of excel. |
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Ease of Use: |
There
is a wizard to help new users, but it is a little clunky. |
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Learning Strategy: |
This
utilizies two strategies. The first is concrete examples, as the students
will be using their computers to allow do the modeling. The second is
interleaving as they are learning excel functions and thermodynamic
principles. |
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Pedagogical function: |
This
is tool for an inquiry-based approach. The student can experiment with
changing just one or two factors, such as ambient temperature, and see how
the refrigeration system will react. |
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What Situation(s) is it Best Used For?: |
It
is used specifically in a corporate training situation of mechanical
engineers. |
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Accessibility Concerns: |
It
is a visual tool. |
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Special Equipment Required: |
Computer,
tablet, or phone. Internet access. |
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Teaching/Training Resources Available: |
https://draftlessig.org/what-is-nist-refprop/ https://cds.cern.ch/record/2637527/files/Report.pdf |