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The influent tubes to the sedimentation tank are getting clogged. We think either flocs are building up at the exit of the influent tubes or they are settling inside the tubes. We think flocs may be building up at the end of the influent pipes because of the new sloped floor design for the sed tanks. Maybe flocs are getting trapped in the V. We plan to raise the level of the influent tube exits so that there is more space between the tube and the floor. Instead of having equal flow into the three sedimentation tanks, it is clear that the sedimentation tank closest to the flocculation tank has the highest flowrate because the influent tubes are not clogged there. There is probably less build up of flocs in the first sedimentation tank because there is the most turbulence in the channel bend from the flocculation tanks at this point.
On Thursday 9/4/08 we shut down the plant and cleaned out all the sedimentation tanks and discovered just how bad the floc/sludge build up is. It is possible, that because the plant is functioning at below the designed flow rate, (currently averaging 50-100gal/min instead of the designed 195gal/min) flocs are starting to settle earlier than they should in the sedimentation tank.
The plant data from Tamara is not currently being inputted by the Junta. Ideally, the Junta would input plant performance data in their computer, and then monthly we would pick up the data to upload to the WIKI. We hope to discuss this with the Junta this week.
Ojojona
Antonio picked up the data from Ojojona, they are putting the plant performance data in Excel.
On Friday 9/12 we have a meeting with students from Universidad Autonoma de Tegucigalpa. We met the Professor _____ at the RASHON presentation on Friday.
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On Thursday 9/11/08 we have a scheduled presentation with the Peace Crops Sanitation and Water Engineers in Siguatepeque.
Marcala
We plan to meet Chris Bordlemay and Fred Stottlemeyer in Marcala on Tuesday 9/16.