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 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 ~ g/cm 3 HELOXY ® Modifier 107 Diglycidylether of cyclohexane dimethanol ~ g/cm 3

Particle Test Materials Intelimer ® 7004 polymer bound imidazole catalyst ~ 10 microns ~ g/cm 3 Carborundum ~ 2 microns ~ 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 Fluid SurfaceBlack Tape Scan Starting Point

Carborundum Particles Settling vs. Fluid Viscosity Fluid Surface Fluid Bottom 60 cP 384 cP

Settling Rate of Carborundum Particles in Various Viscosity Resins

Catalyst Particles in 60 cP Resin Fluid Surface Fluid Bottom Hours * Catalyst Particles Settle Up

Settling Rate of Catalyst Particles in 60 cP 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 F G =  p Vg F B =  l Vg F D = 3   V d

Final Particle Velocity F A = m dv/dt = F G -F B -F D F A = 0 = (  p -  l )Vg - 3   V d V = ((  p -  l )Vg)/3  d

Viscosity Tests

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