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Heirloom Carbon Internship

June - Sept. 2023

Context:

I participated in Heirloom Carbon's internship program as a mechanical engineering intern. I worked as part of the research engineering team and closely with the research science team. 

Skills:

  • Pneumatics

  • Product Design

  • 3D printing

Goals:

  1. Build a vertical forced air setup to study its affects on carbonation rate of calcium hydroxide

  2. Design a sampling tool for the research science team

  3. Test a new method of powder conveyance

What I did:

  1. Built a vertical forced air carbonation setup with a VFD to vary vacuum strength, a vacuum gauge, and a powder/water trap for easy cleaning. Results: 

  • ​​90% reduction in carbonation time

  • 20% increase in carbonation extent

  • 80% reduction in water usage

  • Increase in 28 W electrical power usage

 

  1. Designed an easy-to-use tool to consistently pick up a vertical 0.12 g sample of powder without disturbing the powder bed

  • With rapid prototyping, I was able to test many methods of powder collection​ and select the best one

  • Designed an ergonomic grip and made 6 tools for the research science team

  • Make it out of plastic and metal to be easy to manufacture and clean (cleaning is highly important for sampling)​

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   3. Tested a new method of powder conveyance

  • Determined it provided a mixed mass-funnel flow​​

  • Verified it had no difficulties with our most problematic material 

  • Identified that it was not a great pressure break, only being able to hold 0.3 psi. 

  • Provided the team with a number of tests I would like to have run if I were to not end my internship and leave for school

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   4. Upgraded the company's 3D printers

  • Built a third 3D printer to increase prototyping capabilities

  • Improved team workflow by implementing remote monitoring and control of all the printers

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What I learned:

  • I excel in brainstorming and prototyping, but still need to work on knowing when it is time to slow prototyping and work on refining a final design

  • How to spend more money (compared to the $150 project budgets I'm used to for class projects)​​​​

  • Learned a lot more about piping, tubing, and filtration

  • Recognized the importance of an EHS team and workplace safety precautions

  • Practiced making assembly drawings for the machine shop to make (more specifically welding symbols)

  • How motivating and energizing it is to work with like-minded coworkers

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