Engineering

Equation Based Modelling on Comsol for Diffusion Heat Transfer

15.05.2019 , ,

Many engineering problems are solved by finding the solution of partial differential equations that govern the phenomena. For example, in solid mechanics, the stress distribution can be solved by finding the solution of equilibrium equations in x, y and z coordinates (cartesian coordinate system). Similarly, in heat transfer, the temperature distribution in time and space can be determined by solving the heat diffusion equation. The three-dimensional heat diffusion equation in…

Students get hands on experience spraying polyurea

13.05.2019 , ,

As the final lab exercise on the Surface Properties course, our materials engineering students last week visited Teknos’ industrial testing facility in Helsinki. Chemist Sami Kivi instructed us on the science and engineering behind paints and coatings, then took us to their spraying building where everyone had the opportunity to spray polyurea coating. It is a waterproof polymer coating that cures rapidly, and due to its toughness and elasticity is…

Largest waste water treatment plant in the Nordic countries

13.05.2019 , ,

Our materials processing students on the Sustainable Engineering course were on the move again today to Viikinmäki waste water treatment plant in Helsinki. We went underground through the largest treatment plant in the Nordic countries, which processes the wastewaters of around 800,000 residents as well as the wastewaters of the region’s industry. We learned about the different treatment stages of screening, sedimentation, aeration and biological filtration, and about the current…

Where is Helsinki’s electricity and heating generated?

09.05.2019 , ,

This was a real eye-opening excursion for our engineering students, many of whom had lived in Helsinki for years unaware of the huge energy infrastructure under our feet! We visited Helen’s Salmisaari power plant in the Ruoholahti area of Helsinki. It is a combined heat and power (CHP) plant, where the share of renewable energy is increased by burning wood pellets together with coal. We learned about the challenge of…

Biowaste treatment and landfill site excursion

09.05.2019 , ,

The sun was shining again over Espoo when we went on an interesting (and occaisionally smelly!) tour around HSY’s modern, circular economy-themed waste treatement centre at Ämmässuo. There our engineering students learned about the treatment of biowaste. Two of our thesis students collected biowaste-compost samples for their research projects on the macro- and microplastics in biowaste and how they pass through to the final compost product. We also explored the…

Excursion to Vantaa’s waste-to-energy plant

02.05.2019 ,

Our engineering students visited a modern, and among the best in the world, waste-to-energy plants. It burns unusable waste from the Helsinki region rather than it being put in a landfill. It meets about half of the district heat needed by the entire city of Vantaa, covers about 30% of the electricity demand of Vantaa, and reduces significantly the emissions of greenhouse gases compared to conventional energy production. Exchange student…

Learning about advanced coating technology at Teknos

25.05.2018 , ,

Our materials processing technology students visited Teknos in Helsinki today to learn about their innovative industrial coating technologies. Their specialist Tuomas Aspiala introduced us to many applications including corrosion protection of metals, water sealants for roofs and antimicrobial paints for hospitals. We then suited up in their testing facility, and got first hand experience spraying polyurea. It is a waterproof polymer coating that cures in seconds, and due to its…

Sustainability revolutions exhibition at Aalto University

23.05.2018 , ,

Part 5 of our circular economy spring tour took our engineering students to Aalto University. After visiting major waste treatment facilities, it was time to turn our attention towards the design phase of sustainable materials and products. Currently Aalto University is exhibiting innovative interdisciplinary projects on sustainability. Student Juan Silva: “Pretty advanced. The should be more information to the public about these things, e.g. nanocellulose. The ideas for buildings in other…

Where does all our water go? Excursion to Viikinmäki

23.05.2018 , ,

Our materials technology students were on the move again today to Viikinmäki waste water treatment plant in Helsinki. As part 4 of the circular economy spring tour we went underground through the largest treatment plant in Finland and the Nordic countries, which processes the wastewaters of around 800,000 residents as well as the wastewaters of the region’s industry. We learned about the different treatment stages of screening, sedimentation, aeration and biological…

Engineering students learn where all our mixed waste goes

22.05.2018 , ,

On the second excursion of our circular economy spring tour we visited the waste-to-energy plant in Vantaa. Modern and among the best in the world, it burns unusable waste from the Helsinki region rather than it being put in a landfill. It meets about half of the district heat needed by the entire city of Vantaa, covers about 30% of the electricity demand of Vantaa, and reduces significantly the emissions of…