A study on the permeability of fluid flow through open cell structures with similar porosity value but different porous hole sizes distribution

• Main Author: Zhang, Lewis Ruisheng
• Other Authors: School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/60919
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

A method to test the permeability of various open cell porous structures with constant porosity value but with varying distribution of porous hole sizes, is described. A basic open cell structure was obtained from researched work and customised to build the porous structure of intended criteria. A suitable set of experiment was chosen to conduct the permeability test which led to the design of the apparatus to fit the porous structures. The porous structures and apparatus were drawn using the Computer Aided Design (CAD) software, Solidworks. The models were then fabricated using Three-Dimensional (3D) printing technology. The Stereolithography (SLA) process was selected for the production of the porous structures as it gives a good surface finishing which is critical for the test of permeability. The Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) process was chosen for the fabrication of the apparatus as the current machine used has a bigger building platform to accommodate the size of the apparatus. The experimental results were then analysed and concluded to prove if the porous hole sizes distribution in similar open cell porous structures would affect permeability. The purpose of the project was to improve the rate of nutrient flow through cell culture media for better absorption.