Design and Application of a Settling Characterization Device

Design and Application of a Settling Characterization Device Derek Hoffman under Dr. Love, MSE SURP CASS Symposium August 2, 2001

• Introduction and settling background • Settling measurement techniques • Our settling characterization device • Testing of the device • Future work and conclusions

The Importance of Settling of as little as 15% of particles causes a decrease properties

Examples of Settling • Polymer fillers • Synthesis in solution • Waste water treatment

Settling Regimes Supernatant fluid Mud line Settling Particles

• Introduction and settling background • Settling measurements techniques • Our settling characterization device • Testing of the device • Future work and conclusions

Batch Tests

Sampling Column

Sedimentometer

• Introduction and settling background • Settling measurements techniques • Our settling characterization device • Testing of the device • Future work and conclusions

Design Requirements • Fully automated • Accurately determine position of settling boundaries • Accurately determine concentration • Data gathered on entire length of the column

Settling Characterization Device

Positioning system • Magnetic Sensor • Motor • Clock • Relays

Laser and Photo Detector • 632 nm Diode Laser • Silicon Photodiode

• Introduction and settling background • Settling measurement techniques • Our settling characterization device • Testing of the device • Future work and conclusions

Fluid Test Materials • EPON ® Resin 828 Bisphenol A/ Epichlorohydrin Based Epoxy Resin ~ 1. 304 g/cm 3 • HELOXY ® Modifier 107 Diglycidylether of cyclohexane dimethanol ~ 1. 0916 g/cm 3

Particle Test Materials • Intelimer ® 7004 polymer bound imidazole catalyst ~ 10 microns ~ 0. 308 g/cm 3 • Carborundum ~ 2 microns ~ 2. 297 g/cm 3

Scan of Catalyst Particles in 50% Modifier Black Tape Surface Foam * Catalyst Particles Settle Up

Scan of Carborundum Particles in 50% Modifier Scan Starting Point Fluid Surface Black Tape

Carborundum Particles Settling vs. Fluid Viscosity 60 c. P Fluid Bottom Fluid Surface 384 c. P Fluid Bottom Fluid Surface

Settling Rate of Carborundum Particles in Various Viscosity Resins

Catalyst Particles in 60 c. P Resin Hours * Catalyst Particles Settle Up Fluid Bottom Fluid Surface

Settling Rate of Catalyst Particles in 60 c. P Resin

• Introduction and settling background • Settling measurement techniques • Our settling characterization device • Testing of the device • Future work and conclusions

Future Work • Patent application • Scattering vs. transmittance • The effect of sample shape • Machine improvements

Conclusions • Settling is a common phenomenon • Fulfills design requirements • Provides details invisible to the naked eye • Useful to many applications

Acknowledgement • Dr. Brian Love • Dave Brooks, Graduate Mentor • Dr. Patricia Dolez • The Photonics Department • SURP Program

Questions?

Class 1 Settling • Behaves like one particle • FG = p. Vg • FB = l. Vg • FD = 3 V d

Final Particle Velocity • FA = m dv/dt = FG-FB-FD • FA = 0 = ( p- l)Vg - 3 V d • V = (( p- l)Vg)/3 d

Viscosity Tests

Calibration Curves * Tested in 50/50 mix of Epoxy and Modifier