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The experimental apparatus is designed to be as robust as possible allowing for various experiments to be conducted using the same setup. The setup is made up of three unit processes, the constant turbidity control, flocculation, and sedimentation. Our focus for the experiment is on the settling column, where we will be varying certain parameters. We optimized the turbidity control system and the flocculator to create ideal conditions for floc blanket formation and sedimentation in the settling column. Each process is controlled by process controller, which is also used for data collection.
Schematic
Schematic Map for the Setup
--Bucket 1 has the concentrated clay that is being stirred.
--Bucket 2: (1)The gold labeled tube evaluates that the flow is maintained at 100 Ntu by checking the flow with the turbidity meter.
--The gold colored tubing indicates the water and clay mixture is going through Pump 1 to the turbidity meter to maintain a constant flow of 100 Ntu influent water.
--Turquoise labeled tubing indicates the main flow that leads to the ultimate goal: measuring the plate settling tubes' turbidity. The blue tubing goes from Bucket>>>Pump 3>>>Flocculator>>>Flou Blanket Column >>>to the Plate Settler Tubes >>>Turbidity Meter >>> Waste.
--The Pressure Sensor in Bucket 2 is connected to the computer monitoring the water level in the bucket to control whether or not water is flowing into the system.
--The blue tube from Bucket 2 is where the water coming from the main water source comes into the setup.
\The Alum Stock is where the Alum Aluminum Sulfate is stored and mixed with the magnetic stirrer.
--The purple tubing shows the flow of Alum comes into the setup from the Alum column to Pump 2. It is mixed into the water and clay mixture before entering Pump 3.
--The Flou Floc Blanket Column receive receives the water mixture from the bottom of the column. Then the water mixture is either go goes into the plate settler tubes or the waste tube.
--The plate settling tubes are placed at sixty degrees with a metal splint that is fastened to the manifold of the plate settling tubes.
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These values are found using the following equations:
Velocity Gradient
!:Plate Settler Spacing Research^G.png\|height=32px,width=32!
Residence Time
!:Plate Settler Spacing Research^theta.png\|height=32px,width=32!
The high G value and long residence time helps create the large amount of flocs needed for the initial formation of the floc blanket. The flow rate through the flocculator (545 mL/min) is separated into two equal flows of 272 mL/min, based on the maximum flow through the peristaltic pumps.
Based on the allowable space in the settling column the floc blanket height will be 50 cm.
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