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- Always check tube connections and make sure there is no clogging in the connections.
- Check the stock solutions. Make sure that there is no sedimentation occurring in clay and alum stock solutions.
- Check the influent turbidimeter. If it displays lower turbidity, then check the clay and alum stock solutions. Check if the flow coming out of the pumps (You can check clay/alum flow rates with timer and graduated cylinder) Change in the process controller so that it will give correct value of clay/alum.
- Check bubbles in the flocculator and settling tubes, especially at the entrance of the settling column. Flocs could get trapped in the bubbles and get broken.
Tube Flocculator is too dirty! How should I clean tube flocculator? (Credit to Monroe)
I opened up a Process Controller method, but all the states are gone.
cleaning Protocol
After running After you run many sets of experiments, the particles get attached and accumulate in the flocculator tubes, so it's harder to observe what's going on in the tubes and might break up flocs.this might contribute to a false effluent turbidity reading. Additionally, if the setup sits too long without any action, particles can build up in horizontal pieces of tubing and any connections.
Flocculator Cleaning
The flocculator should be cleaned regularly. Since the tubing is clear, it is visually obvious when the tubes need to be cleaned. Ideally, cleaning can be done between each major experiment, as it is not hard and takes only moments. Procedure:
- Turn the Process Controller to the OFF state
- Prepare a small peg piece of sponge (cleaning sponge) by the size of tube inner diameter by cutting the sponge with scissors
- Insert the peg piece of sponge at the starting point of the tube flocculator (right at the beginning of the clear flocculator tube)
- Press the pressure bottle (200kPa) to move the peg sponge in
- Turn the Process Controller ON (State 2 1 - Clean Flocculator)
- Watch it does its magicThe piece of sponge will move through the flocculator tubing, cleaning the sides of the tubes of any flocs as it moves
- Turn the Process Controller OFF when it almost reaches the end of tube
- Clean out the sponge and repeat if the flocculator tubing is excessively dirty
Influent Turbidity Vial
The vial inside the influent turbidimeter accumulates dirty water and does not do adequate self-cleaning.
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The influent turbidimeter vial should be cleaned just as often as the flocculator, as it contributes to false influent turbidity readings.
- Turn off the Turbidimeter
- Twist in the plastic stoppers on the tubing before and after the turbidimeter to stop flow from coming into the turbidimeter
- Follow the directions on the module to open the top
- Carefully unscrew the vial
- Leave the top of the turbidimeter vial in a careful place (facing up) while cleaning the vial
- Rinse out the vial and fill it with clean water
- Screw the vial back onto the top
- Wipe the outside of the vial with a Kimwipe to remove all fingerprints and other blemishes
- Place the top back into the module and into the lock position, unscrew the plastic stoppers on the tubing and turn the turbidimeter on
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