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I was chosen for the Design team at the start of this semester. For this semester, I am focusing on making modifications to the Agua Clara design code for high flow conditions. First, I am researching potential solutions for entrance tank flow control under high flow. Currently, the flow control pipe allows the plant operator to dump water up to the entire plant capacity by opening a bronze gate valve. For plants with larger capacity, the bronze gate valve required is larger. This is problematic because the prices on these valves become exorbitant at sizes larger than 2'' or 3''. I am currently assessing potential solutions that include: multiple flow control pipes/valves at smaller sizes, and the use of different valve types that are readily available in Honduras. My goal is to minimize the cost of entrance tank flow control while providing a simple design with materials available in Honduras. This change may ultimately be implemented into the design code so that the design may be featured in high-flow designs created by the Design Tool.
First, I have assessed potential solutions which utilize multiple 2-inch gate valves to avoid using the larger, more expensive valves. Cost analysis has shown that this is only feasible for a 3-inch flow control pipe, with 2 2-inch valves/pipes feeding in. Larger diameters require too many valves and fittings to increase the cost, and are less friendly for the operator.