Design and Application of a Settling

Characterization Device

Derek Hoffmanunder Dr. Love, MSE

SURP CASS SymposiumAugust 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

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

• Clock

• Relays

• Motor

Laser and Photo Detector

• Silicon Photodiode

• 632 nm Diode Laser

• 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/cm3

• HELOXY ® Modifier 107

Diglycidylether of cyclohexane dimethanol

~ 1. 0916 g/cm3

Particle Test Materials

• Intelimer ® 7004

polymer bound imidazole catalyst

~ 10 microns

~ 0.308 g/cm3

• Carborundum

~ 2 microns

~ 2.297 g/cm3

Scan of Catalyst Particles in 50% Modifier

0

5

10

15

20

0 5 10 15 20

wt % Catalyst Particles

Hei

gh

t (c

m)

Black Tape Black Tape

Surface Foam Surface Foam

* Catalyst Particles Settle

Up

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Height (cm)

wt

% C

arb

oru

nd

um

9 Min

10 Min

19 Min

20 Min

29 Min

30 Min

39 Min

40 Min

49 Min

50 Min

Scan of Carborundum Particles in 50% Modifier

Fluid Surface Black TapeScan Starting

Point

0

0.5

11.5

2

2.5

33.5

4

4.5

0 2 4 6 8 10 12

height (cm)

wt

% C

arb

on 10 Min

20 Min

30 Min

40 Min

0.00

0.50

1.00

1.50

2.00

2.50

3.00

3.50

4.00

4.50

0 2 4 6 8 10 12

height (cm)

wt

% C

arb

on 10 Min

20 Min

30 Min

40 Min

Carborundum Particles Settling vs. Fluid Viscosity

Fluid Surface

Fluid Surface

Fluid Bottom

Fluid Bottom

60 cP

384 cP

Settling Rate of Carborundum Particles in Various Viscosity Resins

Catalyst Particles in 60 cP Resin

Fluid SurfaceFluid Bottom

Hours* Catalyst Particles

Settle Up

Settling Rate of Catalyst Particles in 60 cP Resin

Level of 8 wt % Concentration

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000

Time (Min)

Hei

gh

t fr

om

To

p (

cm)

• 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 = pVg

• FB = lVg

• 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)/3d

Viscosity Tests

* Tested in 50/50 mix of Epoxy and Modifier

Calibration Curves