Manali Paradkar's Individual Contribution Page

"Fall 2009" Contributions

In the beginning of this semester (September), I worked on the Dissolved Air Flotation of Flocs team where my work included learning the process controller software and then trouble shooting errors related to the functioning of the apparatus (pumps, sensors) as well as configuring working conditions and limits of the same in the process controller software so as to successfully conduct a coordinated experiment with the plate settler spacing team.

Since October 2009, I had been part of the new ANC team. It was created to find a solution to neutralize acidic source water in Honduran plants because the flocculant used - alum - could not perform well under very low pH ranges. My contribution included summarizing the work done by the previous ANC team (in 2005), the problems associated with the designs tested by them and finally proposing and testing newer and more efficient models for the lime feeder. I was actively involved in the running of all the vertical glass column lime feeder experiments, analysis of tube length calculations for the new lime feeder model (in MathCAD software), discussing the problems and solutions with team members and Matt or Monroe and coordinating with Paul (at the workshop) for the construction of the sloped column lime feeder with minimal expenditure.

After its construction, we ran several experiments on the new lime feeder using tap water, distilled water and lime from 2 different manufacturers which required me (and other team members) to take turns inspecting the experimental runs in rotations. After each run, I contributed in cleaning the apparatus from chocked lime and setting up it up again for the subsequent run. I have also contributed to the analysis of pH data collected at the end of each experimental run to understand what parameters need to be changed in order to improve the lime suspension process as well as increase the number of hours that the lime feeder can consistently provide a saturated Calcium Hydroxide solution. Lastly, as the sub-team leader, I contributed majorly in systematizing as well as documenting the detailed task lists, weekly minutes as well as organizing, writing and revising the team's wiki report.

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