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1. Work with smaller, simpler experimental set-ups so that experiments can be run more easily and the important mechanisms can be isolated. Working with the large feeders, while important, can be tedious and their behavior can be too complex to draw strong conclusions from. Investigating the behavior of lime in suspension may be more fruitful in smaller-scale, more controlled tests.
One potential set-up for a smaller scale experiment would be to put several shorter vertical columns in series, connected by flexible tubing, and end with one final diagonal tube settler column. This is an experiment that could easily fit on the bench top and would be easier to control and run. Figure 1 shows a possible set up for this experiment:
2. Continue to run controlled experiments with both distilled water and tap water in order to characterize the effect that carbonate ions have on the reactor's performance. Our work from this semester did not yield results from which we can confidently draw conclusions about the importance of this effect.
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