Marisa Kuntanawong – รายงานประจำปี ศูนย์เทคโนโลยีโลหะและวัสดุแห่งชาติ 2021

Vibration analysis of gas turbine and approach for condition monitoring

Marisa Kuntanawong — Tue, 28 Dec 2021 01:14:31 +0000

1,027 Views

Even a small machinery fault, that is not be taken care of properly, can cause a severe damage to the machine resulting in unavoidable costs due to unpredicted maintenance or, even worse, loss of invaluable lives. Condition monitoring is therefore being widely deployed in several engineering fields in the last decade. Vibration analysis is one of the most popular and effective approaches for condition monitoring as it guarantees a universal deployment among different machines and failures. This can also be use as an addition system for analysis confirmation in case another different approach of monitoring is already applied, thanks to the simple system installation.

A thorough vibration analysis can be archived by a time-frequency-analysis, where the frequency components of a vibration signal or any other operational signals are visualized at a specific time. The components can be formulated either in term of amplitude or spectral energy. Changes of intensity can be used as an identification of a specific fault. Moreover, causes of abnormality can sometime be identified from the suspicious frequency. Continuous Wavelet Transform is a good approach which delivers results with wide frequency range with reasonable resolutions. Time-Frequency-Analysis can be complicated for result evaluation and may require expertises in different fields like vibration analysis as well as good know how of the inspected machine. Therefore, the results can be simplified by means of scalarized characteristic values i.e. Application Force Level acc. Heider or Tooth Force Level acc. Müller. One of the major advantages of these values is the possibility of defining evaluation boundaries, i.e. frequency range. This enables flexibility usage among different applications. The analysis can be carried out as time-efficient – for quasi-real-time application, as well as in-depth evaluation to identify a specific machinery fault.

The developed approaches were implemented as an electronic data processing (EDP) tool MPULS and was deployed at North Bangkok Powerplant, where the identification of rubbing phenomenon has been in focus of monitoring. The analysis shows a good correlation with a pre-installed monitoring system by means of electrical leak current. The developed method can also be used as identification of fault position if the signal is analyzed at different positions. Furthermore, MPULS can be extended for unlimited application as the underlined comprehensive approach is universal. And the program itself can be extended ensuring flexible applications.

Research team

Dr. Chadchai Srisurangkul, Dr. Sarawut Lerspalungsanti, Thanak Utakapan, Teerapong Boonma and Foifon Srisawat

Development of maltodextrin-based mixtures as thickening powders for dysphagia diets

Marisa Kuntanawong — Tue, 21 Dec 2021 07:41:59 +0000

1,226 Views

Research Background

The residual ash from coal burning in boiler (water wall slag) of pulverized coal fire power plant has a direct impact on the stability and efficiency of power production, especially lignite-based from Mae Moh coal mine with high percentage of CaO. The percentage of CaO continues to rise based on survey, resulting in even higher ash and wall slag built up. Therefore, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand is interested in developing high-pressure water soot system for water wall boiler cleaning, a system for online cleaning ash accumulation of furnace walls at Mae Moh Power Plant. Swallowing difficulty (often known as dysphagia) is a disorder in the passage of food from oral cavity to other organs in the digestive system resulting in swallowing abnormalities. Dysphagia usually occurs with aspiration or choking during swallowing and could cause dehydration and nutrient deficiency eventually leading to malnutrition. The most serious complication of dysphagia is aspiration pneumonia which is life-threatening.

Siam Modified Starch Co., Ltd. (SMS) is a global leader of modified cassava starch industry. The company had recognized the importance of developing food and beverage products for people suffering from dysphagia in a form of thickening powder. This was intended to accommodate the demands of patients with dysphagia and the currently increasing elderly population in Thailand’s aged society.

SMS had contracted with the National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC) to study and analyze the properties, especially rheological properties, of maltodextrin-based mixtures with the aim of developing thickening powders for dysphagia diets at three viscosity levels conforming to the National Dysphagia Diet standard (NDD): nectar-like, honey-like, and pudding-like consistencies. The goal of the research was to formulate and modify the thickening properties to match those of the benchmark commercial products.

Research objectives

Laboratory prototypes of maltodextrin-based thickening powder products

What did the research team do?

Analysis of relevant properties of commercial thickening powder products
Analysis of the fundamental properties of various hydrocolloids
Formulation of the thickening powder prototypes and analysis of their properties, particularly rheological properties
Investigation of the influences of pH, temperature, and amylase enzyme on the rheological properties of the prototype formulae
Assistance on sensory evaluation tests

Research results

Laboratory prototypes of maltodextrin-based mixtures with comparable rheological and sensorial properties, when dissolved in water, to those of the two pre-selected commercial thickening powder products.

Research status

The research has been completed and its results has been successfully delivered to SMS for further industrial production and commercialization.

Outlook

research and development activities will be undertaken to innovate, develop various manufacturing and testing equipments and introduce new food products suitable for dysphagia patients.

Research team

Mr. Akapong Kongjaroen, Dr. Chaiwut Gamonpilas, Dr. Sirikarn Wisetsuwannaphum, Dr. Nispa Seetapan, Dr. Pawadee Methacanon, and Dr. Asira Fuongfuchat

Contact

Dr. Chaiwut Gamonpilas (Principal Researcher)
Food Materials Research Team
Advanced Polymer Technology Research Group
Tel. +66 2564 6500 ext. 4447
Email: chaiwutg@mtec.or.th

The prototype of a 12-meter single-decker bus structure according to the United Nation Regulation No.66 (UN R66)

Marisa Kuntanawong — Mon, 20 Dec 2021 07:43:40 +0000

1,222 Views

Research background

The Department of Land Transport has adopted a policy that the bus structures with a height of 3.60 meters or more must pass the rollover test conforming to the UN R66. However, most of the bus manufacturers in Thailand are still lacking such engineering knowledge on bus structure design. In response to this situation, the Department of Land Transport has placed importance on the study of design and development of the bus structures which are in compliance with the relevant international standards. This output of study could act as a guideline for domestic manufacturers to follow and adapt their design of bus structure for approval of registration from the Department of Land Transport. This aforementioned approach has a role to play in raising the country’s automotive engineering standards for large vehicles in use.

Research objectives

To analyse and redesign the 12-meter bus structures with a height of 3.60 meters or more with its structural strength satisfying rollover test (UN R66). The most critical aspect was that no deformed structural parts intrude into residual space during the rollover test.

What does the research team do?

1. Finite Element Analysis to predict the deformation behavior of the bus structures for the rollover test according to the UN R66.
2. Validation of the analytical method employed and redesign for improved structural integrity.
3. Actual rollover test of the prototype.

Research results

A design prototype fo bus structure that pass the rollover test by the Department of Land Transport.
Engineering drawings of the the design prototype.
Technical manuals on manufacturing, inspection of the bus structure.

Research status

The research has been completed.

Outlook

The research team plans to improve the design of bus structure using lightweight materials while maintaining conformity to the UN R66 standards, investigate optimal modern manufacturing processes to strengthen lightweight structures, and encourage an inclusion of computer aided engineering (CAE) as part of the approval process for bus structures by the Department of Land Transport.

Research team

Dr. Chi-na Benyajati, Mr. Piyapong Premvaranon, Mr. Jenwit Soparat, Miss Piyamabhorn Uttamung, Mr. Apichart Teralapsuwan, Mr. Wuttipong Sritham, Mr. Papan Panyavan, Mr. Pasayapurin Promprapai, Dr. Sarawut Lerspalungsanti, Dr. Chadchai Srisurangkul, and Mr. Setthaluth Pangkreung

Contact

Dr. Chi-na Benyajati (Senior Researcher)
Lightweight Engineering Research Team
Engineering Design and Computation Research Group
Tel. +66 2564 6500 ext. 4382
Email: chinab@mtec.or.th

Design and safety evaluation of large bus structure using CAE in rollover test

Marisa Kuntanawong — Sun, 19 Dec 2021 08:17:37 +0000

1,226 Views

Statistically, rollover of passenger bus is generally considered the most severe type of accident in terms of its resulting fatality rate. In a bid to improve the safety standard of passenger bus in Thailand, the Department of Land Transport, the Ministry of Transport, have introduced a rollover strength as part of a requirement on bus approval procedure which will be implemented from 2023 onwards. However, main stumbling blocks are a lack of engineering experience by bus manufacturers to achieve such structural design as well as a limited number of “pass” case in the past. This work was thus initiated by the department of land transport in order to study on a design prospect of bus structure with height exceeding 3.60 m under rollover test conditions according to a European standard, UN R66.

The objective was to obtain an engineering design/ drawing of a bus structure which satisfied a safety standard of UN R66. A Computational-Aided Engineering (CAE) technique was employed as a main tool in this study to simulate a rollover phenomenon for bus structures of interest. A three-dimensional CAD bus model, chosen from selected bus manufacturers, was created before a conversion into a finite element model mainly consisted of shell elements. The main simulation outputs were resulting deformations of structural members for a calculation of a distance between deformed members and a residual space as described in UN R66. Another important part of this prototype was a validation of simulation process used in this work. The validation was done by a comparison to an actual rollover test of a full structure at a testing facility of Department of Land Transport. Once validated, such simulation process was further carried out for a detailed redesign of a sample bus structure until the one which satisfied UN R66 could be obtained.

The chosen design of full bus body had a dimension of 11.84 x 2.48 x 3.76 m (L x W x H) with a structural weight of 3,334 kg as part of 13.77 tons full vehicle without passengers. The main features were a double side-pillar configuration with alternate cross-section arrangement, steel plate reinforcement on side pillars and cant rail connections, reinforce gussets around side pillar and floor joints, and additional members on front and rear mask.

The strength of the chosen design was confirmed by highspeed cameras that no part of any structural components intruded into a residual space during the real rollover test. Furthermore, the design was also developed by taking into account the availability of existing materials in the market, and a manufacturing capability of bus assemblers such as welding workmanship. Therefore, the output of this study could be of definite beneficial to the Department of Land Transport as part of its new regulation regarding an approval of new buses or refurbished ones with a height of 3.60-meter or greater in the near future.

Research team

Dr. Chi-na Benyajati, Dr. Sarawut Lerspalungsanti, Dr. Chadchai Srisurangkul, Jenwit Soparat, Piyapong Premvaranon, Piyamabhorn Uttamung, Apichart Teralapsuwan, Papan Panyavan, Pasayapurin Promprapai, Wuttipong Sritham and Setthaluth Pangkreung

> Commercial Prototype

Charun Business 52 Company Limited

Marisa Kuntanawong — Sat, 04 Dec 2021 04:11:26 +0000

1,336 Views

Charun Business 52 Company Limited is a manufacturer and distributor of precast concrete slab, and a subsidiary company of Thai Beverage Public Company Limited or “ThaiBev”, which is a manufacturer and distributor of spirits, beer, non-alcoholic beverages, and food with more than 43 factories. ThaiBev has placed importance on 3 aspects of sustainable business growth, namely, economy, society, and environment. However, each year a large amount of by-product is produced by the production processes. Therefore, the company has established a policy to reduce the impact on the environment and add value to wastes for sustainable business operations, thus satisfying stakeholders and benefiting the environment and society as a whole.

Ms. Aunchalee Autchimatorn, Managing Director of Feed Addition Company Limited and Acting Managing Director of Charun Business 52 Company Limited, is a leader in charge of waste management of all subsidiary companies in ThaiBev Group. She said that ThaiBev sees that currently, waste management is still in its infancy and the company wants to be informed of the downstream product development, therefore, its staff had been sent to participate in a training program at the National Science Technology Development Agency (NSTDA). As ThaiBev’s beer group produces a large quantity of malt residues from the brewery every year, it was found that these residues can be value-added in order to meet the animal feed stakeholders’ satisfaction and create a circularity in the system. As for a large amount of ashes generated from the production processes of 19 breweries, only the factory in Bang Yi Khan had invested in an incineration system. However, ashes are still wastes that need to be further developed in various ways.

Ms. Aunchalee recalled that before working with MTEC, the company had extensively searched for the practical use of ashes until it found MTEC research, a synthetic lightweight aggregate “G-Rock” developed by Dr.Pitak Laoratanakul, which matched its objectives. This “G-Rock” research had received an outstanding research award from NSTDA. Thus, the company had acquired this technology and further developed it to build a production factory with a quite large capital expenditure at a level that ThaiBev had never invested before. The company appreciates that ThaiBev Executives have placed importance on research and development for further commercial development and is grateful for MTEC’s assistance for the past four years.

Ms. Aunchalee said that the company had focused on the preparation for further construction of the factories with 3 important principles, which are (1) it is believed that the research is completed and will yield green products, (2) the company vision had to be reframed so that its environmental products will be of practical use, and (3) the company must plan for the machinery and personnel for technology transfer. All of these were supported by MTEC research team.

Ms. Aunchalee, who has been playing a leading role in driving this project forward and convinced ThaiBev Executives to approve of the investment, comments that if the company does not start the project today and keep learning theories without practice, it will never know whether its vision conforms to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) or not. As ThaiBev is a large conglomerate, it has to start the project early. This is why the company dare to take action and is readly to accept its consequences, whether successful or not. For the commencement of this project, a support of Mr.Kosit Suksingh, Deputy Director of ThaiBev Group, is greatly acknowledged since he gave the opportunities and provided assistance so that now the production is being realized.

“Working on this project, the company has successfully built an environmental engineering team and, furthermore, created a waste database for managing the data from all subsidiary companies in the ThaiBev Group”

At present, the company has been able to employ the technology received from MTEC to develop a synthetic lightweight aggregate under the trademark name “Green Rock”. It is lightweight and can be used as building materials with enhanced thermal insulation properties. Its strength is comparable to that of conventional concrete. The building materials that contain “Green Rock” can be applied in various applications, such as prefabricated walls, autoclaved aerated concrete, and artificial stones. “Green Rock” can also help the construction works in terms of reducing labor force, providing good soundproofing, lowering the temperature inside the house, saving energy and electricity costs, as well as creating green innovative products for accommodations.

Lastly, the company greatly appreciates working with MTEC. MTEC research team had given the company very good suggestions. Ms. Aunchalee said that as NSTDA is the main organization responsible for the BCG, the company would like MTEC to help promote “Green Rock” to the society, especially in the green business, as well as drive and shorten the accreditation process of innovative works, and provide support equipment. The company is willing to be a part of the cooperation and support the green economy model.

The Department of Land Transport

Marisa Kuntanawong — Sat, 04 Dec 2021 04:03:12 +0000

3,161 Views

The Department of Land Transport (DLT) has a mission on the administration of systems and regulations of land transport by managing and controlling for compliance of laws and regulations, as well as coordinating and planning the connection with other transport systems to ensure that the land transport system is flexible, convenient, fast, and safe. The Department of Land Transport’s vision is to be an innovative organization in managing and controlling the road transport system with high quality and safety.

Mr. Cheep Nomsian said that the Automotive Engineering Bureau has the main responsibility on the automotive standards by applying the United Nations (UN) standards as a guideline for developing automotive standards and educating transport operators in Thailand. The Department of Land Transport, therefore, has cooperated with the agencies that have expertise in the field of automotive standards and testing.

The Department of Land Transport has a policy to urgently develop the automotive standards for trucks and buses to prevent and reduce unexpected accidents. It is clear from the accident records and empirical evidence from the media on the daily accidents that severe accidents occur when the trucks are crashed into by other vehicles or buses with understrergth structure overturn.

These tragedies are consequences of, the trucks not having protective equipments to reduce the severity at the side and rear, as well as inadequate design of bus structure.

The Automotive Engineering Bureau, DLT, therefore, had cooperated with MTEC on the project of “The preparation of the standard design of the protective equipment for the sides and rear the vehicle used for transporting animals and items” and “The study on the design of the bus structure according to the rollover safety standards” by applying the requirements of the United Nations as a guideline.

Mr. Cheep Nomsian said that in order to put law enforcement into practice, all stakeholders must be involved from the beginning. For both projects that Department of Land Transport had cooperated with MTEC, representatives from the association of truck and bus body builders, transport operators, and other stakeholders had been invited as the project committees in order to communicate with the members, as well as provide critical and useful information for the project and the promulgation of the law.

As MTEC is an organization with well respected research team the Department of Land Transport had cooperated with MTEC on law enforcement to ensure vehicle safety on the road by assigning an engineering team to work with MTEC research team. MTEC research team had given the Department of Land Transport very good suggestions. The team greatly appreciate working with MTEC, and the results are in line with the operation plan and time. However, there were some difficulties due to the COVID-19 situation but both teams had efficiently worked together to solve the problems.

Lastly, the Department of Land Transport wants MTEC to spread awareness about the side and rear protective equipment of the trucks and the structure standards to the entrepreneurs and general public, as well as increase MTEC’s ability to become an automotive testing unit conforming to international standards to support the operations of the Department of Land Transport in law enforcement.

Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited

Marisa Kuntanawong — Sat, 04 Dec 2021 04:00:13 +0000

2,054 Views

Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT) operates an airport service business complying with the country’s air transport policy. AOT is a state enterprise under the supervision of the Ministry of Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, which are the country’s aviation regulators.

On September 28, 2006, Suvarnabhumi airport was officially opened for all international commercial flights. The government had established it as the main Bangkok international airport in place of Don Mueang International airport and aimed it to be the hub of aviation in Asia. Inevitably, the airport area and its surroundings soon had been receiving negative impacts, such as noise pollution and air pollution, as well as aviation safety issues.

The Ground Run-up Enclosures (GRE) at Suvarnabhumi airport has been constructed to test the operation of jet engines after an aircraft undergoes maintenance and the engine performance under the conditions of normal use and maximum power during take off.

To study the effects of GRE operation on aviation safety, AOT had cooperated with MTEC in applying computer-aided engineering as a tool for fluid dynamics analysis of the simulated airflow behavior during the jet test.

Commander (CDR) Sutheerawat Suwanawat, General Manager of Suvarnabhumi Airport, said that Suvarnabhumi Airport aims to be a hub airport that can support large aircrafts. One of the requirements to achieve this goal is that there must be a GRE for aircraft engine maintenance and testing, which has been used worldwide and certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). There are issues regarding the suitability of the location of the testing station at Suvarnabhumi Airport. The decision was thus made that an agency with technical competence, therefore, should provide assistance in this matter, assess all possible impacts and make recommendations.

MTEC research team had done a very good job. AOT had received crucial information for the consideration of using the testing station and the feasibility of relocating the GRE to a more appropriate location. The results of this study will be given to all stakeholders for collaborative consideration. The methodology used in this study could be employed for use with other GREs around the world.

In the future, the aviation business will focus more on safety and sustainability and Thailand should raise its technological capability in order to reduce its dependence on foreign countries. Some technologies could be developed in-house, but others have to be transferred from foreign countries and then further developed into our own knowledge and skills. Certain issues could also be supported by MTEC, such as safety and environmental studies. AOT also plans to develop the airport into a “Green Airport”. All these goals are global future trends.

Lastly, AOT greatly appreciates working with MTEC since the results are not only in line with AOT’s plan within the specified time, but also valuable as a basis for AOT’s capability building. The General Manager of Suvarnabhumi Airport suggested that MTEC should assist in providing more technical information, especially that of the testing station.

Siam Modified Starch Co., Ltd.

Marisa Kuntanawong — Sat, 04 Dec 2021 03:52:36 +0000

5,632 Views

Siam Modified Starch Co., Ltd. is a global leader in the native tapioca starch and modified tapioca starch industry. The company is a pioneer in applying modern technology to add value to tapioca starch for use in various industries including food, paper, textiles, glue, as well as building and construction. More than 50% of modified tapioca starch products are used in the food industry, which is one of the company’s core business, and more than 80% of all products are exported. The company has three modified tapioca starch factories located in Pathum Thani, Chaiyuphum, and Buriram provinces with a total production capacity of approximately 400,000 tons per year, making it the largest manufacturer of modified tapioca starch in Thailand.

Dr. Siwarutt Boonyarattanakalin, Assistant Innovation Director of Siam Modified Starch Co., Ltd., said that the company’s core value is innovation, which gives the company a distinct advantage over most other starch manufacturers. The company has had a long-established research team for the past 36 years, resulting from the vision of Dr. Werawat Lertwanawatana, the chief executive officer of Siam Modified Starch Co., Ltd. He has created the research team and has long been a champion of the company’s R&D activities. It has been proven many times that the research results have made the customers interested in purchasing products from the company.

The company places importance on thermoplastic starch research conforming to the BCG (Bio Circular Green) Economy and is aware of the problems caused by plastic waste pollution and fossil fuel depletion. The company’s products are mainly produced from starch derived from cassava plants that absorb carbon dioxide, which could be considered part of the Circular Economy, and the ones produced from trees are in alignment with Green Economy and Bioeconomy.

“Biodegradable polymer is one of the crucial factors in making the use of plastic more sustainable. However, the global biodegradable polymers market size is very small, only 1% compared to that of the global plastic market. This poses a challenge for anyone trying to increase this number.”

“As the prices of biodegradable polymers, namely, PLA, PBAT, PHA, and PBS are quite high, the company, therefore, promotes the way to lower the prices by blending low-cost thermoplastic starches into biodegradable polymers. The company expects that this method would encourage people to use more biodegradable polymers, thus contributing to more sustainability for the world.”

For all these reasons, the company has thus cooperated with MTEC on the R&D of thermoplastic starch, and a polymer blend between biodegradable polymer and thermoplastic starch produced by twin screw extrusion process.

The company realizes that MTEC has various expert research teams and pilot-scale equipment. At the early stage of the project, the company had done a risk assessment, made a project plan but still had not put much money into investment. At that time, MTEC and other government agencies had been helping the company, then the company continue to develop products with more investment as the project had achieved more success.

Dr. Siwarutt remarked that MTEC had provided the necessary equipment which helps the company’s research team takes off to a good start. The skill and expertise of MTEC research team are vital to the success. The collaboration between the two research teams is excellent.

Once the research had been completed, the company proceeded to apply the basic knowledge and preliminary research work to further develop its business at the industrial level and manufactured the products named “TAPIOPLAST® series.”

The company also places importance on the development of food products for people with dysphagia by developing a thickening powder to meet the needs of patients and the elderly, of whom the number is growing.The company had cooperated with MTEC on the research and development of a mixture of maltodextrin base that can be used as a thickening agent to adjust the viscosity of food for people with dysphagia.

Dr. Siwarutt said that after the research is completed, the company had created a product prototypes and developed its production processes conforming to international standards under the name “HI-PERSE CLEAR”. As of 2021, the products have been tested by customers.

The preliminary research is considered successful and the products work well. However, the thickening agent is the company’s new product for the elderly and classified as a medical food in Thailand, which could take time to be further developed and there are a number of barriers to overcome. Furthermore, cooperating with hospitals is also a new challenge for the company. The company must be prepared and study various rules and regulations related to the hospital, as well as set up a specific team to carry out these undertakings.

The company greatly appreciates working with MTEC and the results are in line with its plan and the specified time. MTEC research teams have provided knowledge transfer in both theory and practice, and assistance to the company more than planned. In the future, the company plans to continue to conduct R&D with MTEC to further develop the research results.

Lastly, Dr. Siwarutt suggested that it would be great if MTEC could provide more pilot-scale equipment to support the need for the diversification of product development services.

Antifog masterbatch

Marisa Kuntanawong — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 09:40:44 +0000

1,053 Views

An optical property in term of high clarity without any fog on film surface is one of the most important properties of flexible packaging using for chilled food products. Apart from antifog coating on film surface, using of internal antifog additives will provide a cost effective and clean process for plastic film manufacturing.

The antifog masterbatch – high concentration antifog agent in polyolefin carrier resins – has been successfully produced through a twin screw extrusion process. This continuous compounding process can incorporate a high content of antifog agent in liquid form into molten plastic. The intensive (distributive and dispersive) mixing between antifog and carrier resin was achieved by specific screw design and process parameters. Our developed antifog masterbatch provides an outstanding antifog performance with high evaluated score in cold fog test was delivered in either single layer film or multilayer film. Currently, our compounding technology has been transferred to Avient Colorants (Thailand) Co., Ltd. and the antifog masterbatch has been launched to the market.

Research team

Dr. Noppadon Kerddonfag, Dr. Bongkot Hararak, Dr. Witchuda Daud, Pramote Kumsang, Nantaya Sirikitkarnkool, Dr. Supanut Phattarateera, Ajcharaporn Aontee and Dr. Wannee Chinsirikul (National Nanotechnology Center)

PETE (Patient isolation and transportation chamber)

Marisa Kuntanawong — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 09:38:22 +0000

1,286 Views

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the patient isolation chamber is crucial as it helps reduce the infection, numbers of medical personnel while transferring patients, and time, as well as protect their safety while taking good care of the patients. Thailand also suffered from the expensive cost of the imported medical equipment, especially the patient isolation chamber. However, this device still possesses a number of limitations, for examples, it can not be put into an X-ray machine and requires cleaning every time after use.

MTEC research team, therefore, has developed PETE (Patient Isolation and Transportation Chamber), a device for transferring patients with respiratory tract problems. The PETE consists of 2 main parts; the first one is a clear plastic patient isolator that fits the patients’ body, and the second part is a negative pressure unit designed to control the air circulation inside the chamber when the patient is placed inside, and the zipper is closed. The PETE unit has an automatic pressure adjustment system to allow the outside air to flow into the chamber, so that the patient can breathe normally. A HEPA Filter personnel use the PETE to move patients from place to place, it will not only help limit the spread of infection but also reduce the risk towards the medical personnel and other people in the hospital.

Therefore, PETE developed by MTEC is an innovative device that will suit the manufacturers to develop and produce local medical devices. At present, MTEC had delivered 26 sets of PETE to the various institutions like Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University, Erawan Field Hospital 2 of Wetchakarunrasm Hospital, Ruamnamjai (Klongtoey) Foundation, Vibhavadi Hospital, and Saint Mary’s Hospital to support the medical personnel during the relocation of COVID-19 patients to various places. At present, PETE is a Thai research result that passed the ISO 14644 and in the process of establishing the IEC 60601-1, and Suprera Innovation Co., Ltd. is recently a licensee for the technology transfer of PETE’s production and distribution.

Research team

Dr.-Ing. Sarawut Lerspalungsanti, Pornpipat Yoosa, , Dr.-Ing. Chadchai Srisurangkul, Prasit Wattanawongsakun, Teerapong Boonma, Perakit Viriyarattanasak, Narongrit Suebnunta, Foifon Srisawat, Dr. Jomkwun Munnae