Two-Sorber Bed Sorption Test


The 2-sorber bed sorption test bed was custom-built in our lab to test different sorbent materials, sorber bed heat exchanger (HEX), evaporator and condenser in sorption cooling systems. Currently, a custom-designed capillary-assisted evaporator and a helical coil shell and tube HEX are used as the evaporator and the condenser, respectively. The sorber beds and the evaporator are placed inside custom-built vacuum chambers. Check valves are installed between the sorber beds and the condenser and gate valves are installed between the evaporator and the beds. A needle valve with high precision flow adjustment (Speedivalve SP16K, Edwards) and a U-tube are installed between the condenser and the evaporator. The whole system is vacuumed for 6 hours before the tests. Two temperature control systems are utilized to keep the evaporator and condenser at specific temperature. Furthermore, two temperature control systems are set to specific temperature vlaues for desorption and adsorption processes. Two four-way valves are employed to switch the heat transfer fluid between two sorber beds for desorption and adsorption processes. Type T thermocouples (Omega, model #5SRTC-TT-T-36-36) with accuracy of 0.75% of reading and pressure transducers with 0-34.5 kPa operating range (Omega, model #PX309-005AI) and 0.4 kPa accuracy are installed to monitor and record the temperature and pressure variations in each component of the sorption test bed over time. Positive displacement flow meters (FLOMEC, Model # OM015S001-222) with accuracy of 0.5% of reading are installed to measure the flow rate of the heat transfer fluid. The instruments are interfaced with a PC through a data acquisition system and in-house software built in the LabVIEW environment.

Gravimetric large pressure jump, G-LPJ


Gravimetric large pressure jump (G-LPJ) test bed was custom-built in our lab to investigate the heat and mass transfer performance of sorbent materials and the fins. Sorbent materials are coated on graphite sheets and bolted to a copper heat exchanger. The sorber bed and the copper heat exchanger are placed inside a vacuum chamber which is connected to a capillary-assisted evaporator/condenser. Heat transfer fluid is pumped through the copper heat exchanger and the evaporator/condenser, which sets the temperature of the sorbent and evaporator/condenser for sorption and desorption processes. The vacuum chamber is placed on a balance to measure the mass of the sorbate uptake. Moreover, the sorbent temperature and the pressure of the sorber bed and the evaporator are measured.

Modified Loschmidt Cell Testbed, MLC


MLC is a testbed capable of measuring oxygen diffusivity and permeability of porous layers with thicknesses in range of nanometers to millimetres, under variable operating temperature (room-85 ˚C), RH (0-95%), gas pressure (0-2 bar), and compression loads (0-50 MPa).

Thermal Constants Analyzer, TPS 2500 S


The TPS 2500 S is designed for precision analysis of thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity and specific heat capacity of solids, liquids, powders, pastes and foams. I can also directly test the anisotropy of most specimens. Our TPS can operate in the range of -35 to 200°C, measure thermal conductivity in the range of 0.005 to 1800 W/m/K, thermal diffusivity in the range of 0.1 to 1200 mm2/s and specific heat capacity up to 5 MJ/m3K. The TPS 2500 S meets ISO Standard 22007-2.

Thermal Conductivity and Thermal Contact Resistance Testbed


   

This custom-designed facility enables accurate measurements of thermal conductivity and thermal contact resistance of a wide variety of materials (porous media, polymers, metals, thermal interstitial materials, thin films, PCBs, layered structures, etc) under various compressive loads in gaseous environment (from vacuum to pressurized gases). The testbed includes vacuum chamber, loading mechanism, load cell, thermocouples, chiller, and DAQ.

Heat Flow Meter, Netzsch HFM 436/3/1E


Heat flow meters (HFM) are exact, fast and easy-to-use instruments for measuring the thermal conductivity of low-conductivity materials such as insulations. A sample is placed between a hot plate and a cold plate and the heat flow created by the temperature difference is measured with a heat flux sensor. This instrument can handle samples measuring 305 mm x 305 mm and of variable thickness ranging from a few millimeters to 10 cm and the measurement temperature can be varied from -30 to 90°C. Thermal resistance can be measured in the range of 0.05 to 8 m2K/W and thermal conductivity in the range of 0.002 to 1 W/m.K. The HFM complies with ASTM C518, ISO 8301, JIS A1412 and DIN EN 12667.

Infrared Camera from FLIR

This IR camera can be used for capturing and recording thermal distribution and variations in real time, enabling accurate measurement of heat patterns, dissipation, leakage, and other temperature factors in a wide range of thermal management systems.

Autosorb-iQ from Quantachrome Instruments


Autosorb-iQ is a material characterization (porosimetry) device that determines material porous nature such as pore diameter, total pore volume, surface area, and bulk and absolute densities. It monitors the pressure changes in a calibrated volume sample cell to determine adsorbed volume of gas.

Thermogravimetric Sorption Analyzer IGA-002 from Hiden Isochema


This system measures the magnitude and dynamics of gas and vapor sorption of materials including pharmaceuticals, carbons, catalysts, zeolites, clays and polymer. Anti-condensation protection to 50 ºC is incorporated in the system which allows operation with water and an extensive range of hydrocarbon vapors. It operates with precise active pressure control ranging from ultra-high vacuum to 20 bar and a wide range of temperatures from -196 to 1000 °C.

Thermomechanical Analyzer (TMA Q400EM) from TA Instruments


The thermomechanical analyzer device (TMA Q400EM) measures sample dimensional changes under different conditions that can be controlled over time: temperature, force and atmosphere. The force can be applied using five different probes: expansion, macro-expansion, penetration, tension, and 3-point bending. With such capabilities we are able to do: coefficient of thermal expansion analysis, stress/strain behaviour analysis, bending/flexure property testing, glass transition temperature test, and melting and softening behaviour.

Bose 3330 Series II Mechanical Tester


Bose 3330 Series II provides control over force to determine material's dynamic characterization and mechanical fatigue with high accuracy. It can produce up to +- 3000N of force allowing variety of test application such as: tension, compression, bending, stress relaxation, creep, shear and pulsatile.

Nano-/Micro-indentation Testing Station from Nanovea


High precision nano, micro and macro hardness and elasticity modulus measurements for a wide range of materials and surfaces including thin films, polymers, metals, plastics, coatings, and substrates. Can perform Vickars hardness measurements as well as comply with ASTM E92 and E384.

Surface Profilometer from Mitutoyo, Surftest SJ 400


This stylus type surface profilometer allows measuring a complete range of surface roughness characteristics that are required in interfacial transport analyses.

Environmental Chamber from ESPEC

   

This is a large-scale ultra-cold temperature and humidity chamber with an interior volume of 32 cu. ft (900 Liters), temperature range of -70 to 180°C(-94 to 356°F), and relative humidity range of 10% - 98%. With its unique 'forward looking' algorithms, electronic expansion valves for faster ramping, and improved refrigeration system this environmental chamber features better stabilization and energy savings.

Humidifier from Cellkraft

This humidifier chamber is a compact and automatically operating unit to control the humidity, flow rate, and temperature of a gas flow. The device is suitable for flow rates in the range of 0 to 250 liters per minute, and pressures from vacuum up to 20 bar (gage).

Variable Speed Wind Tunnel from AIRFLOW Measurement Systems


This variable speed 1200 CFM airflow test chamber covers a flow range of 1.5 to 1200 CFM. The wind tunnel includes straighteners, calibrated nozzles for flow measurement, manual blast gate and a variable speed auxiliary blower.

Flow Visualization System from LaVision, FlowMaster 2-D PIV System


This flow visualization equipment will enable velocity measurements and particle tracing in mini-, micro-, and nano-channels  and other microfluidic (lab-on-chip) devices, porous media, gas diffusion layers (GDLs), micro/nanofluidic fuel cells, and compact heat exchangers.

Power Processing and Power Cycling System from AeroVironment, ABC-150


This load processing device offers power up to 125 kW, with a voltage range of 8 to 445 VDC and a current range of ±530 ADC. ABS-150 can emulate a wide range of powertrain components, enabling the testing of individual components, battery pack, energy storage device, or partial drivetrain accurately and realistically, allowing true hardware-in-the-loop testing. It can be used for a wide range of charge/discharge tests and development activities associated with advanced batteries, fuel cells, ultra capacitors, hybrid energy systems, electric motors, generators, and powertrain components.

Accelerating Rate Calorimeter

This custom-ordered large isothermal calorimetery device includes an elliptical chamber with dimensions of 650 mm major axis, 500 mm minor axis and 500 mm height that allows thermal measurement of single batteries as well as battery modules. The system enables specific heat capacity measurements and features a maximum sensitivity of 0.005°C/min; operating temperature range of -40 to 200°C; and dynamic range 50 mW to 30 W.

Emerald Software Suite from Greenlight Innovations


This software controls the power processing unit (ABC-150) for cycle tests on battery modules, and logging detailed test data. Each test can be configured using custom scripts to set safety limits and exercise the battery module as desired. The Emerald Software Suite also uses a 32-channel 16-bit Greenlight Data Acquisition System (DAQ) to monitor battery voltages and temperatures for data logging and for safety. The software operates as a battery management system (BMS) to ensure all monitored parameters are within the allowable limits.