Batch Mixing Skid Senior Design Capstone 2024

Abstract

This report will look at the Batch Mixing Skid located in ET222 of the Engineering Technology building. The purpose of the Batch Mixing Skid is to provide a comprehensive solution to demonstrate how various instrumentation can be integrated and utilized to monitor and automate a system. This system uses a PLC and HMI to control solenoid valves and pumps to move water to different tanks, as well as heating and mixing the liquids. This process is designed to replicate what could be seen in an industrial setting, but at a smaller scale. The current Batch Mixing Skid is loud, inefficient, and a burden to use making it difficult for faculty and students within the ECET 35100 to learn about the instrumentation on the Batch Mixing Skid. While this project has been worked on by multiple groups in the past, our goal is to make this system more user-friendly, more efficient, and made to last as well as to create a great platform for students to learn from. We will do this by replacing the systems' plumbing, installing a new PLC and HMI system, rewriting the code from the ground up, as well as other improvements. The goal, outcome, and why this project is significant is that this is a system that will be used by the department for many years to come. This aims to teach students in ECET 35100 more about instrumentation, PLCs, and ladder logic