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The flocculator needs to be cleaned as regularly as when flocs start to build up in the tank otherwise they will affect the turbidity measurements at the end of the tank. It should be obvious from looking at the last unused section of the flocculator that whether or not the tank needs cleaning. Flocs will have filled the the entire section. A pump and hose for cleaning the tank are next to the flocculator. Waste from the tank must be drained down the sink located in the far left corner of the plant (across from the tank)into the grit chamber next to the sedimentation tank. Waste cannot go into the grit chamber because the sludge contains aluminum compounds. Care should be taken when cleaning the tank- the sink clogs easily and floods the surrounding area. If the sink floods, the wet-vac is the easiest way to clean up the messsink because it clogs the sink. When cleaning is finished, water can be emptied from the hose by detaching it from the pump and elevating the end. Walking the length of the hose while elevating it should empty the entire hose.
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Turbidmeters should be checked before running any test is run in the flocculator. The turbidimeters tend to become clogged and usually give high highly 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.
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Remember to tightly seal the vials and to wipe with a Kim wipe before replacing in order to avoid fingerprints, which would cause inaccurate readings.
If the turbidimeter reads dessicant, the dessicant needs to be changed. When 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.
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