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Turbidmeters should be checked before any test is run in the flocculator. If they are dirty they should be cleaned with distilled water and kim wipes. The turbidimeters tend to become clogged and give high inaccurate readings usually after running for over 6 hours. Due to the low flow rate through the turbidimeters flocs tend to collect in the turbidimeter vials and settle out. This means that they need to be checked before a test is run and sometimes data collected after this length of time should be assessed carefully.
Turbidimeter vials should be emptied and washed out with tap water. There is a bottle near the tube settler pump for this purpose. Swish for about 10 seconds and empty (note: if acid is used the water needs to be dumped down the lab sink). If there is still buildup or the glass is dirty wrap two Kim wipes around a brush until it is covered and use that to scrub the inside of the vial.
Remember to tightly seal the vials and to wipe with a Kim wipe before replacing.
If the turbidimeter reads dessicant, the dessicant needs to be changed. This can be done by unscrewing the lid of the turbidimeter and replacing itWhen looking down on the turbidimeter from the top there are four silver screws, one on each corner. When these are removed the entire top of the turbidimeter including vial and display can be lifted. It is inside this compartment that the desiccants are located. The desiccants are important because they keep the compartment with the turbidimeter vials dry. A humid chamber can cause condensation on vials that will give false readings.
When this occurs bring the desiccant back to Hollister room 150 and leave it in the heating oven overnight at 100ºF. This will regenerate the desiccant and it will become active again.
Sampling line
A common problem that occurs is that the lines from the sampling point to the turbidimeters fill with sediment and the pump is unable to get water through them. If this happens, you should remove the clogged line, including all connections, and clean them. As this is a common problem, you may want to clean the lines before starting an experiment to increase your chances of a successful experiment. Back washing them may also help solve this problem. Some times clogs form the inlet valve for the raw water sampling line. Toggling the valve to increase and decrease pressure in the line should solve this problem.
Make a folder in AguaClara data with the date
Example - 6.18.07. This way all information for tests run that day can be saved in a separate file, making data analysis quicker and easier.
Save datalog and statelog in correct folder
Go to the configuration tab, At the bottom under and to the left of Data directory path there is a button with the picture of a folder. Click on the button and choose the folder for the directory (this will save the statelog and the datalog to the chosen folder, if a statelog and datalog already exists for that day it will start a new one in this folder)
Save a copy of the setup
Look in the folder of the last date that data was collected. The most up to date version of the setup should be in there. In this excel sheet is where variables are listed; if you change any of them note it here. This is also where the location of the tube settlers should be moved/changed. Make sure before you change anything you save it in the correct folder and call it SetUp "date"
Save a copy of process controller method
Save in the folder with the date and call it PC setup. This will allow future users to see what the logic and variables were set to the day of the experiment. If for some reason a variable is changed and not noted this will allow the user to check to see what was used. Also, if for some reason Process Controller isn't working properly and states or set points disappear then this file can be used to re-install them and is the most up to date.