The team took a tremendous step forward this week and got ready for our first fully integrated drying trial, mere days before Prototype Inspection Day. The team worked diligently throughout the week to integrate the air handling subassembly, the load-cell subassembly, and the drying trays with the steel superstructure and the pilot plant’s compressed air utility line. The fully assembled unit is shown below.

The fully integrated test unit will undergo a test trial over the weekend. The team is going to dry a damp towel and monitor the change in relative humidity, temperature, and mass over time. The towel is resting on the adjustable shelving system atop the load cell subassembly, pictured at the bottom of the image.

The team will use the test trial to validate the accuracy of their sensors and make sure all the subassemblies integrate together properly. Todd, the FSHN technician, delivered the welded components earlier in the week, so the team will also be able to determine whether the template they created is a good tool for the following welded components. Stay tuned for an update on the drying trial and Prototype Inspection Day!