See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/303497589

Final Report Design and Fabricate Smart Vacuum Storage System

Technical Report · May 2016

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.3369.3049

CITATIONS READS

0 498

1 author:

Najah Syahirah Mansor

Universiti Malaysia Pahang
6 PUBLICATIONS   0 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE

All content following this page was uploaded by Najah Syahirah Mansor on 25 May 2016.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

 Mechanical System Design,
23 May 2016, UMP Pekan, Malaysia

DESIGN AND FABRICATE SMART VACUUM STORAGE SYSTEM

M.S.ALIAS (MA13204), N.M.ALI (MA13206), N.S.MANSOR (MA13207), M.S.FAUZI

(MA13213), M.S.M.NOR (MG11024)

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP),

26600 Pekan, Pahang, Malaysia,
*
Email: ma13204@stdmail.ump.edu.my
Phone: +6013-6296451

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this project is to design and fabricate smart vacuum storage system. The
equipments that will be used in this project are 240 mm diameter of polycarbonate desiccator,
hose, vacuum pump, brass female thread valve, digital barometric pressure sensor, silica gel,
Arduino Uno, transmitter, relay. Desiccator is used to store reactive metals and chemicals in a
dry and vacuum condition. To vacuumise the space in desiccator, a vacuum pump is used to
suck the air inside. Then, the lid is closed tightly due to the atmospheric pressure acting on it
and thus no air can enter desiccator. The valves is used to control the movement of air using
vacuum pump. We will design and fabricate smart vacuum storage system by adding
transmitter and pressure sensor to detect when there is air flow in the desiccator, the pump
will be automatically stop the vacuumizing process.

Keywords: polycarbonate; pressure; vacuum; desiccator.

INTRODUCTION

Nowadays, the vacuum storage system that have in industrial laboratory is mostly conducted
by manual user. So this system really need the man power to control. In addition, it will take
longer time to complete the system processes. Therefore, our group are focusing on adding
 Mechanical System Design,
23 May 2016, UMP Pekan, Malaysia

pressure sensor into the vacuum storage system, so that it will functioning automatically. This
project is to design and fabricate the smart vacuum storage system by adding the pressure
sensor and Arduino Uno system into the vacuum storage system. In this project, the system
was set the minimum pressure inside both desiccators when it reached that certain pressure,
the pump automatically turn off. The objectives of this project are to create a system equipped
with Arduino and transmitter and ease the laboratory assistant to get precise time to alert the
user. Besides, to prevent the metal pieces and chemicals from rusting and damaging in short
time and to create two dry and vacuumed container as to preserve the metal pieces and
chemicals. Vacuum storage system is a method of packaging that removes air from the
package prior to sealing [1-2]. This method involves (manually or automatically) placing
items in a desiccator, removing air from inside, and sealing the package. The intent of vacuum
storage system is usually to remove oxygen from the container to extend the shelf life of foods
and, with flexible package forms, to reduce the volume of the contents and package [3-6].
Vacuum storage system reduces atmospheric oxygen, limiting the growth of aerobic bacteria
or fungi, and preventing the evaporation of volatile components. It is also commonly used to
store dry foods over a long period of time, such as cereals, nuts, cured meats, cheese, smoked
fish, coffee, and potato chips (crisps) [7-8]. On a more short term basis, vacuum packing
can also be used to store fresh foods, such as vegetables, meats, and liquids, because it
inhibits bacterial growth [9-11]. Vacuum storage system greatly reduces the bulk of
non-food items. For example, clothing and bedding can be stored in bags evacuated with a
domestic vacuum cleaner or a dedicated vacuum sealer [12-15]. Desiccators are sealable
enclosures containing desiccants used for preserving moisture-sensitive items for another
use [16-20]. A common use for desiccators is to protect chemicals which are hygroscopic or
which react with water from humidity [21-29]. In this project, we will use metal powder as
the testing material. As we are suggested by our supervisor, Dr. Wan Sharuzi Bin Wan
Hasan to use polycarbonate desiccator, we will use the polycarbonates desiccator and we
choose to use model DWA 215. This is because it is highly durable to impacts [30-32]. Main
unit and lid are completely transparent plastic desiccator [33]. So we can instantly know the
status of items that are stored and when replacing silica gel. It will safely withstand high
vacuum pressures. Clear polycarbonate desiccator having extra heavy walls to eliminate the
danger of implosion [34]. Made entirely of polycarbonate, lightweight and unbreakable.
 Mechanical System Design,
23 May 2016, UMP Pekan, Malaysia

Looks like glass but is more economical than a glass vacuum desiccator. It can be use with
or without vacuum. Desiccator will not shatter or implode at full vacuum when used
according to instructions packed with product [35]. It is for room temperature use only.
Cannot hold vacuum at low temperatures for more than a few hours. Eliminated the trouble
of applying grease. Maximum strength in the transparent resins. Besides, it is difficult to
crack even if dropped, so we can use it with confidence [36-37]. The ceramic plate is heat
resistant, corrosion resistant, has an anti-sticking property and won't scratch [38]. As a
feature of PC, it has strong tensile strength, is durable to impacts, and is heat-resistant,
lightweight, unbreakable and more economical.

METHODOLOGY

Basically, the process of this project is start from vacuum pump. Vacuum pump will suck all
the air inside the 2 desiccators but before that valve 1 need to be closed the other will be
opened. After the suction the pressure sensor will indicate 0.015 bar the regulator will trigger
the there is no more air inside the system then the pump will be turned off.

Figure 1: Vacuum System Design in Sketching

 Mechanical System Design,
23 May 2016, UMP Pekan, Malaysia

Figure 2: Flow Vacuum System Storage

Figure 3: Vacuum System Design in Solidwork

This is the ideal vacuum system design for our group. Some components might vary due to
the limitation of budget. Electronic components such as pressure sensor and Arduino board
is not drawn due to the very detailed parts which is not significant in this diagram.
 Mechanical System Design,
23 May 2016, UMP Pekan, Malaysia

The mechanical element process in this project is on the rack. The rack is made from L bar
steel for the frame, Perspex for the wall, Galvanised Iron sheet metal for the base, and nut
and bolts for the joints. To joining the L steel bar for the frame, we use grinder to cut the L
steel bar and arc welding technique to joint it. Then, for the wall and base, we cut the Perspex
and Galvanised Iron sheet metal by using cutting machine, drill machine to make a hole and
use bolts and nuts to joint it.

Figure 4: Welding Process

 Mechanical System Design,
23 May 2016, UMP Pekan, Malaysia

Figure 5: Frame of the rack

Figure 6: Arduino Uno System

 Mechanical System Design,
23 May 2016, UMP Pekan, Malaysia

Procedure

Storing item

1. Metal piece or chemical that need to be stored is put inside the desiccator.
2. Amount of silica gel is ensured sufficient to absorb the air in desiccator.
3. The lid is closed properly.
4. Valves above the respective desiccator and valve nearest to pump are opened.
5. Vacuum pump is then turned on.
6. Pressure that shown on the display are observed.
7. Valves are closed when 0% of pressure with allowance is reached and air is totally
vacuumed.
8. Pump is turned off.

Taking out item

1. Valves which leading air in and valve above the respective desiccator are opened.
2. The pressure displayed is observed.
3. Lid is opened in slow horizontal motion after the pressure is increased to nearly
atmospheric pressure.
4. The item is then taken out.
 Mechanical System Design,
23 May 2016, UMP Pekan, Malaysia

Figure 7: Flow chart

 Mechanical System Design,
23 May 2016, UMP Pekan, Malaysia

MATHEMATICAL MODELLING

Table 1: Details Vacuum Pump Model VE 115N

Frequency 60Hz
Flow rate 57 L/min
Ultimate vacuum 2Pa
Power ¼ HP
Weight 6.3 kg
Inlet port 1/4” Flare (minor diameter – 11.445 mm)

Table 2: Details Vacuum Desiccator (Polycarbonate DWA 215)

Internal Diameter 215 mm

Outer Diameter 260 mm

Overall Height 262 mm

Effective Height 178 mm

Volume Dessicator

i) Cylinder πr2h = π (0.1075)2 (0.178) = 6.4623 x 10-3 m3

ii) Hemisphere 2/3 πr3 = 2/3 π (0.1075)3 = 2.6019 x 10-3 m3

Total volume dessicator = 6.4623 x 10-3 m3 + 2.6019 x 10-3 m3

= 9.0642 x 10-3
 Mechanical System Design,
23 May 2016, UMP Pekan, Malaysia

Velocity in Vacuum pipe

Q = AV
Q = (57 L/min) x (1 m3/1000L) x (1 min/60sec) = 9.5 x 10-4 m3/s
9.5 x 10-4 = [(π x 0.0114 x 2)/4] (v)
Velocity, v = 9.3073 m/s

Mass Flow Rate of Air in Vacuum Pipe

ṁ = ρAV
ρall = 1.225 kg/m3
Mass flow rate, ṁ = (1.225) [(π x 0.0114 x 2)/4]2 (9.3073)
= 1.1637 x 10-3 kg/s

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

The metal powder or chemical was placed inside the desiccators. The amount of silica gel is
ensured sufficient to absorb the air in desiccator and to make sure is dehumidified. The lid is
closed properly. The main power source for this system was turned on then the switch of the
pump was turned on. Then the ‘ON’ switch on the control panel was turned on. The process
of vacuumizing was started. Pump is turned off when the pressure sensor detect when it
reached 0.015 bar.

Figure 8: Vacuum storage system without the rack

 Mechanical System Design,
23 May 2016, UMP Pekan, Malaysia

Table 3 shows that the obtained results to reach 0.015 bar are in the range of 332 – 353
seconds. The average for desiccator 1 to reach constant value 0.015 bar is 345.5 seconds and
for desiccator 2, the average time taken is 345.75 seconds. These are time taken for
desiccators vacuumised without metal powder inside thus, the reading maybe different when
there are metal powder inside the desiccator. Theoretically it will take longer time to reach
vacuumised condition that we have set which is 0.015 bar.

Table 3: Value of Pressure vs Time for Both Desiccator

Desiccator 1 Desiccator 2
Reading Pressure (bar) Time (sec) Pressure (bar) Time (sec)
1 0.015 353 0.015 352
2 0.015 350 0.015 350
3 0.015 340 0.015 349
4 0.015 339 0.015 332
Average 345.5 345.75

Figure 9: Stacked Graph of Pressure vs Time for Desiccators

 Mechanical System Design,
23 May 2016, UMP Pekan, Malaysia

CONCLUSION

As a conclusion, the main focus of this design and fabrication is to design and fabricate the
smart vacuum system by adding relay, transmitter and pressure sensor inside the system. Here
are some additional reasons why vacuum sealing is an effective and cost saving form of
storage. Non-food items are protected from oxygen, corrosion and moisture-damage. For
example you can vacuum seal unused oxygen absorbers, matches, socks for bug out bag,
medication, emergency forms, etc. Insect infestation is eliminated due to a low oxygen
environment. Seal dehydrated foods and dried herbs for longer term storage.

REFERENCES

1. Perdue, R (2009), "Vacuum Packaging", in Yam, K L, Encyclopedia of Packaging

Technology, Wiley (published 2010), ISBN 978-0-470-08704-6.
2. Soroka, W. “Illustrated Glossary of Packaging Terminology” (Second ed.). Institute of
Packaging Professionals.
3. "Vacuum Sealer Food Sealing Techniques". Sealinglab.com.
4. Robertson, G.L., “Food Packaging: Principles and Practice”, 3rd edition, 2013, ISBN
978-1-4398-6241-4.
5. Yam, K. L., “Encyclopedia of Packaging Technology”, John Wiley & Sons, 2009, ISBN
978-0-470-08704-6.
6. R. Loevinger, “Fundamental Consideration in Vacuum Practice”, Vacuum Equipment
and Technique. University of California, 1949.
7. A. Chambers, R.K. Fitch and B.S. Halliday, “Basic Vacuum Technology”, Adam Hilger,
Bristol,1989 .
8. Clausing, P., "The flow of highly rarefied gases through tubes of arbitrary length",
Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology, 1971. 8(5): p. 636-646.
9. Sun, D. W., & Zheng, L., “Vacuum cooling technology for the agri-food industry: Past,
present and future”. Journal of Food Engineering, 77(2), 203-214. 2006.
10. Forlizzi, J., & DiSalvo, C., “Service robots in the domestic environment: a study of the
roomba vacuum in the home”, In Proceedings of the 1st ACM SIGCHI/SIGART
 Mechanical System Design,
23 May 2016, UMP Pekan, Malaysia

conference on Human-robot interaction (pp. 258-265). ACM. 2006, March.

11. Berning, P. H., Hass, G., & Madden, R. P., “Reflectance-increasing coatings for the
vacuum ultraviolet and their applications”, JOSA, 50(6), 586. 1960.
12. Cobine, J. D., “Research and development leading to high-power vacuum interrupters”.,
Electrical Engineering, 81(1), 13-21. 1962.
13. W. E. Bush, “Elements of the Vacuum System, Vacuum Equipment and Technique”,
McGraw Hill Book Company, 1949.
14. Matossian, J. N., “Plasma ion implantation technology at Hughes Research
Laboratories”. Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology B, 12(2), 850-853.1994.
15. Wuping, Z., “Technology of Production of CuCr Vacuum Contact Materials” [J]. High
Voltage Apparatus, 5, 001, 1993.
16. Atkinson, B. W., Bux, F., & Kasan, H. C. “Considerations for application of biosorption
technology to remediate metal-contaminated industrial effluents”, Water S. A., 24(2),
129-135, 1998.
17. Jones, N., Stoilovic, M., Lennard, C., & Roux, C., “Vacuum metal deposition: factors
affecting normal and reverse development of latent fingerprints on polyethylene
substrates”. Forensic science international,115(1), 73-88, 2001.
18. Nozaki, Y., & Tanford, C. “The solubility of amino acids and related compounds in
aqueous urea solutions”. Journal of Biological Chemistry,238(12), 4074-4081, 1963.
19. Liao, X., Cao, F., Zheng, L., Liu, W., Chen, A., Zhang, J., & Cao, C., “Corrosion
behaviour of copper under chloride-containing thin electrolyte layer”.Corrosion
Science, 53(10), 3289-3298, 2011.
20. M. J. Field. R. E. Tranquada, J. C. Feasley, Editors. ”Health services research: work
force and educational issues”. Washington: National Academy Press, 1995.
21. J. M. Koziara, P. R. Lockman, D. D. Allen, and R. J. Mumper, J. Nanosci. Nanotechnol.
6, 2006.
22. H. V. Jansen, N. R. Tas and J. W. Berenschot, “Encyclopedia of Nanoscience and
Nanotechnology”, Edited H. S. Nalwa, American Scientific Publishers, Los Angeles ,
Vol. 5, 2004.
23. S. Gomez, R. J. Belen, M. Kiehlbauch, and E. S. Aydil, J. Vac. Sci. Technol. A 22, 606,
2004.
 Mechanical System Design,
23 May 2016, UMP Pekan, Malaysia

24. L.G. Hultman, P. Eklund, J.S. Colligon, U. Jansson, “Vacuum”. 2003.

25. Diamante, L.M., Shi, S., Hellmann, A. and Busch, “Vacuum frying foods: products,
process and optimization”, J. International Food Research Journal 22(1): 15-22, 2015.
26. A. P. Davis, A. A. Abreu, and A. D. Chew, “Dry vacuum pumps: A method for the
evaluation of the degree of dry”, Second Series Volume 18, Number 4, Part II
July/August, 2000.
27. W. Wong. L. Laurenson. R. G. Livesey, and A. P. Troup, J. Vac. Sci. Techno!. A 6, 1183,
1988.
28. N. T. M. Dennis, L. J. Budgen, and L. Laurenson. J. Vac. Sci. Techno!. 18, 1030, 1981.
29. A. Roth, “Vacuum Technology, North-Holland”, Elsevier Sci. Publ. B.V., 3rd updated
ed, 1990.
30. SciLabware, “Vacuum Desiccator Polycarbonate”,
http://www.scilabware.com/Desiccators/Vacuum/Vacuum-desiccator-polycarbonate/p-4
8-50-199/, 2016.
31. Sanplatec, “Polycarbonate Vacuum Desiccator”,
http://www.sanplatec.co.jp/en/product/lbeq/san0062.shtml.
32. Chemglass Life Science, “Desiccator, Polycarbonate”,
http://www.chemglass.com/product_view.asp?pnr=CG-1226, 2015.
33. Sigma-Aldrich, “Nalgene Vacuum Desiccator”,
http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/catalog/product/sigma/z354074?lang=en&region=MY.
2016.
34. K. M. Simpson, “Vacuum Gauges, Vacuum Technique”, University of California, 1944
35. K. M. Simpson and W. E. Bush, “Vacuum Materials and Equipment”, McGraw Hill Book
Company
36. Guthrie and R.K.Wakerling, “Vacuum Equipment”, McGraw Hill Book Company, 1955.
37. R. Loevinger, “Leak-detection Instruments and Technique”, McGraww Hill Book
Company
38. K.V. Sharma, K.V. Suryanarayana, P.K. Sarma3, M.M.Rahman, M.M.Noor, and K.
Kadirgama, “Experimental Investigations Of Oxygen Stripping From Feed Water In A
Spray And Tray Type De-Aerator”, International Journal of Automotive and Mechanical
Engineering (IJAME), Volume 1, pp. 46-65.

View publication stats