Sarah Bolander's Individual Contribution Page

Fall 2012 Contributions

This semester I am on the Flocculator As a member of the Flocculation and Sedimentation Optimization team , and our goal for this semester is to incorporate floc recycling into the system. By recycling floc, it may be possible to use a lower coagulent dose if less of the coagulent is lost to the inner surface of the flocculator., I worked with my teammates to test the effects of floc recycle on the water treatment process. Though we obtained mixed results as to whether floc recycle proves beneficial to the system, we took the first step of incorporating a floc recycle option into the process and experimented with different placements of the location from which flocs are pulled.

Fall 2014 Contributions

This semester I will be working with the enclosed stacked rapid sand filter (EStaRS) team and will be working on getting the model in the lab to work smoothly both in filtering and backwash mode. Once we are able to obtain consistent and relevant data, we will work more on improving the design of the filters.

Spring 2015 Contributions

As a continuing member of the Enclosed Stacked Rapid Sand Filter (EStaRS) team, I will be working on obtaining data on the various changes in head loss through the system between forward filtration, backwash, and the gradual clogging of the entrances and exits from the filter column. I will also be working on  improving the design of the current filter column cap to address the problem of the cap becoming dislodged when the pressure in the filter is too high.