Research Experiences for Undergraduates
Summer 2002
Project Summary
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Research Experiences for Undergraduates Summer 2002 Project Summary |
Project Title: Solids metering design project
Student Name: Radika Rupasinghe
Student’s home institution: Hope College
Research Advisor(s): Dr. John Krupczak
Source of Support (NSF-REU, or other): Pfizer Inc.
The project addresses the problem of accurately adding reactants that are in solid form to a solvent that is in reaction vessels while maintaining an inert atmosphere. In addition to the requirement of maintaining a maximum pressure of 100 psi during an explosion, being capable of feeding chemicals of a wide range of textures were significant design requirements. It is sponsored by Pfizer inc. Work was started by three seniors, Sam Klooster, Matt Kalajainen, and Ryan Stoneberg, who worked during the spring of 2001-2002. They developed the design requirements and performed a benchmark search to explore if there was a device, which already existed in the market that fulfilled the needs of Pfizer Inc. At the end of the semester the search was narrowed to four companies, De Dietrich, K-Tron, Wyssmont, and Accurate which all had devices that were potentially capable of fulfilling some of the design requirements.
This summer, Eric Jongekryg and I worked with the four prospective companies to develop various concepts into designs. In this process we realized that none of the companies were capable of providing a device that would satisfy all of the design requirements. We concluded that a combination of various custom designed parts would be needed. Then we proceeded with the most promising design to develop it into a device that would meet all of the design requirements. We spent a considerable amount of time interacting with sales representatives discussing the manufacturing possibilities of various ideas and concepts that were brought forth by Eric, Dr. Krupczak and myself. In the meantime, we requested complete proposals by each of the four companies.
Highlights of our work this summer were the mockups that we built (Figures
1 & 2). We made three preliminary mockups: the Mechatron Screw Feeder
by Accurate, the Rotoscoop by Wyssmont, and the RotoDiscs valves by Rotodisc.
This was done to better understand the amount of space each would occupy.
Next we took them to the Pilot plant at Pfizer and set it up on each vessel.
This helped us to perceive how well each device would fit the different
vessels in the plant.
The mockup of Hope College/Pfizer/Burke Sales design (which included
the Mechatron feeder and RotoDiscs) seem to be the most favored one. Therefore,
during the next three weeks we continued working on this design with Bill
Bristol from Burke Sales to improve the design. Our project was challenged
again when the engineers at Pfizer suggested a view window in the accumulator
region of the HPB design to view any clogging in between the valves or
in the tube. Currently we are still exploring the possibilities of having
a view window in the accumulator region (figures 3 & 4). We believe
that this is the best design that enables Pfizer Inc. to meter solids accurately,
dispense and feed at a specified rate, and comply with safety specifications.
We will be doing a final presentation to Pfizer Inc. to advise adoption
of the HPB design. After the presentation, depending on the decision of
Pfizer Inc, installation of the device will take place in the fall, which
I am looking forward to.
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| Figure 1:
The picture shows the HPB design The Mechatron feeding into the RotoDisc that are on the vessel. |
Figure 2:
The picture shows the Rotoscoop. The Rotoscoop is directly feeding into the vessel |
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| Figure 3:
Figure 3 & 4 are options for a view window that is made by the companies Jogler and Ernst |
Figure 4 |