Orifice clogging experiment

Figure 1: Experimental Setup - Orifice Clogging

Overview

A linear dosing meter is currently being utilized in Honduras to control the flow of alum, based on varying plant flow rates. In this system, the alum flows from the stock tank to the constant head tank through a small 0.23 cm orifice. This orifice is becoming clogged with an unknown substance, preventing the flow of alum into the entrance tank and consequently reducing the effectiveness of flocculation. The constant head tank orifice has to be cleaned multiple times per day by the operator. A more ideal system would clog at most once per day. The objective of this experiment is to determine the cause of the clogging in Honduras (precipitant or foreign material) as well as estimate the frequency of clogging in the new non-linear dosing system. If the new orifice (0.1 cm diameter) clogs frequently with lab grade alum, the system will need to be redesigned to incorporate a larger orifice. If the source of the clogging is determined to be foreign material (little or no clogging occurs with lab-grade alum) a strainer will be included in the overall system design to remove the foreign material.

...