Construction of AguaClara Plate Settlers
All of the plates for one module are stacked up with a slight offset between each plate to give the module a tilt. A 7/8" hole is drilled in 6 to 9 (depending on the size of the module) places through the stack plates. A 1/2" PVC tube fits tightly through these 7/8" holes. We cut lengths of 1/2" PVC as long as the module will be thick. At the end of each tube (I'll call them skewers from now on) we put a 1/2" union, which serves as a stopper, so nothing slides off the end. The 1/2" union is not glued, just stuck on tight. Then we start stringing the plates on the skewers like beads on a necklace, only that in each space between the plates we put a spacer made out of 3/4" PVC pipe. The 3/4" PVC slips right over the 1/2" PVC. After all of the plates and spacers have been put on, we stick another 1/2" union on to cap it off. No glue.
-John Erickson, AguaClara Engineer 2007-2009