Challenges Spring 2009

Team Leader: Nicole Ceci

Automated Design Tool

Design

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Spring 2009 Challenges

This team is responsible for maintaining and upgrading the automated design tool and for delivering AguaClara plant designs to implementation partners. This team will need to grow significantly expand this semester.

Subteam Leader: Sara Schwetschenau

Number of team members needed: 5

Additional for Spring spring 2009: 3

Important team member skills:

CEE 3310 , or equivalent Fluid Dynamics course
CEE 4540 co or prerequisite
Student must be comfortable with coding

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• Create an organized method of handling multiple designs so that we don�t don't have the confusion of not knowing what design assumptions correspond to the different facilities that are being designed. Put Perhaps zip all the final design files for a facility on the wikifiles to make a package that can easily be downloaded for review. Include ALL of the associated design files so that as design algorithms evolve it will still be possible to see the designs of each facility. If possible make the design files available from the wiki page where the project sites are listed.
• Document the designs of the existing facilities (as built) in a table format.
• Integrate lessons learned during the construction of the Cuatro Comunidades plant into the design and AutoCAD code.
• Add construction details including ledge that supports the plate settlers, inlet manifold plates, sludge drain channel, sludge drain plates, sedimentation tank inlet drop tubes, inlet channel port covers, etc.
• Draw the sedimentation tank so that it is possible to see order of construction. Begin with the rectangular tank, and then fill in the additional items (bottom slopes containing sludge channel, drop tubes, sludge weir, sludge port plates, manifold sloped plates).
• Create several series of plant designs to illustrate how the designs vary as a function of flow rate and design assumptions. Post these designs on the wiki.
• Flocculation program: include the Energy Dissipation Approach and to (eliminate G as a design parameter) and draw the baffles correctly for different numbers of flocculator channels.
• Sedimentation inlet manifold program :
  • Allow user to specify width of the plates used to create the manifold. Use the width of the plates to set the port spacing. Eliminate the dimensionless ratio of the port width to the port spacing.
  • Check the manifold design algorithm assumptions. Specifically the method of incorporating the pressure recovery term may be incorrect. It might be beneficial to create a full model of the flow out of each port and compare those results with the analytical model for the ratio of the flow between max and min flow ports.
  • Check
  • Correct arbitrary assumptions - 1/3 velocity factor, Square ports, Distance between ports.
  • Check for reasonable values
• Update the Variable Naming Guide
• Check AutoCAD dimensions
  • H.SedRectangle > B.Port Check to be added to Sedimentation Slopes Program
• Add pictures to programs pages
• Group related objects in AutoCAD to make manipulation of the drawings easier (plate settlers, baffles, inlet manifold plates, etc.)
• Work with potential new partners to deliver detailed designs based on their specifications.

Research

Pilot Plant Spring 2009 Challenges

Number of team members needed: 3 returning and 1-2 new members

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It would be helpful to have a "handy" person on the team that feels comfortable using power tools.

Challenges

Floc Tank

• Team members should test consecutive Use process controller to increment through a series of alum doses in order to familiarize themselves with the tank and floc formationfind the optimal alum dose for a particular raw water turbidity. Perform this experiment routinely when the turbidity changes significantly.
• Learn to identify symptoms of over and under dosing of alum
• Compare uniform and non-uniform baffle configuration results from the flocculation tank with both low and high incoming raw water turbidity

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FReTA

• Alter Lower the tube flocculat set-up to minimize air trapped from joints and it has a more permanent location at the plant.flocculator elevation so that water from the flocculator tank will flow through the tube flocculator by gravity
• Set up FReTA to be used with the tube flocculator
• Use FReTA to compare measure settling velocities at different points in of samples from the tube flocculator, pilot plant flocculator and also from samples taken from the CUWFP flocculator
• Compare raw water sedimentation rates and residual turbidity readings from the Pilot Plant FReTA with the laboratory results

Sed Tank

• Discover how much time it takes to form a sludge blanket.
• Can a sludge blanket form if the lamella are present? Can the lamella be designed differently so that this is possible?
• What is the best way to drain a sed tank so as to cause the least amount of disturbance and water waste. How often would this need to occur?
• What else could be done to optimize the sed tanks?
• Are the two sed tanks equal? Is the tank turbidity comparable? Are flocs remaining equally intact from the flocculator to the tanks?

• flocculator, the laboratory tube flocculator, the pilot plant tube flocculator, and the CUWFP flocculator
• Assess which flocculator will produce the lowest turbidity settled water

Sed Tank (possibly put this project on hold due to the dependency on the consistent performance of the pilot plant flocculator)

• How long does it take to form a sludge blanket at different raw water turbidities?
• What is the optimal upflow velocity through the floc blanket? Compare with the results of laboratory studies by Matt Hurst. For these studies keep the tube settler capture velocity at 10 m/day.

Plate Settler Spacing Spring 2009 Challenges

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Experiments

• Jet dissipation
  1. - Run experiments using a mesh with 1 cm diameter holes
  2. Run fluid mechanics experiments to determine the rate of jet dissipation with the coneif the mesh causes the floc blanket to form more rapidly
• Tube spacings

1. Vary flow rates with each tube size using process controller
2. Vary Floc blanket height
3. Vary alum dosage

Process controller

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• Develop some sort of video recording system to monitor floc blanket growth
• Work with Cameron to develop a floc blanket height detector
• Design a floc weir that can be used to maintain the floc blanket height to reduce the required wasting rate.

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Chemical Doser Spring 2009 Challenges

The Chemical Doser team will be responsible for the integration of the three technologies that form the dose controller (Flow Measurement, Flow Controller, and the float and lever system used to couple the two).

Subteam Leader:

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unknown

Number of team members needed:

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3

Important team member skills:

• Knowledge of data acquisition software
• Medium level understanding of fluid mechanics

Challenges

• Verify the possibility of internal deformation causing head loss within the tube
• different tubing diameters- how is the flow affected by different tube sizes? and is there still divergence from the equations in large diameter tubing?
• Non-negligible losses- Minor losses with major effects may be accumulating in the tube due to constant bending and are causing an accumulated substantial head loss. Due to internal deformation, should major losses be considered?
• Early transition to turbulent flow- induce turbulent flow to better understand the upper bound of the design technology
  • Is the flow control device feasible in the turbulent range?
  • Is there any benefit to pushing the technology to higher and higher laminar flow rates?
  • What is the viability of a dual dosing system or using a dosing tube which expands to control flow?

Linear Flow Orifice Meter Spring 2009 Challenges

Subteam Leader: Unknown

Introduction for New Members

In order to gain a firm understanding of the LFOM material it is necessary to review the posted material. The most important material is listed below

• The initial concept paper
• The LFOM Accuracy Experimental data provides a practical view of the LFOM in operation
• The MathCAD code

Number of team members needed: 1

The LFOM team is a one person team, with a narrow focus. It may be beneficial to combine the LFOM team with the Chemical Doser because integration between the two systems will be very critical.

Important team member skills:

• Strong background in Mathcad or at least some aptitude with computer programming
• Understanding of the fluids concepts would be beneficial, through courses such as CEE 4540 or CEE 3310

Challenges

• Familiar with AguaClara project
• Comfortable with MathCAD
• Willing to put in extra time to learn how flow controller and linear flow orifice meter (LFOM) work
• Communication skills to work with the team in Honduras to implement the dose controller

Challenges

• Create more comprehensive MathCAD program to design and model CD performance
• Find out (based on experiments) how small the chem doser vertical drop tubing can be before the open channel flow or free fall fails
• Create a robust algorithm for float sizing
• Develop methods for dosing with the CD when not next to the entrance tank (can use a small float tank that is connected hydraulically to the entrance tank or a pulley system)
• Work with the team in Honduras (and potentially UNAH students) to get the prototype in Tamara working
• Design a dose controller that will work for chemical flow rates in excess of 400 mL/min. This design is needed for the Gracias plant. This dose controller will use orifice flow in the entrance tank flow meter and in the flow controller.
• Last semester a point of failure experiment was conducted on the LFOM. The
• Currently the drill size is based on the diameter that is the best fit for the top hole, it would be interseting to see what the effect is on the error if different rows were used to determine the diameter. The very top hole has a relatively small flow rate based on other rows - there may be a critical row.
• Also the point of failure experiment was conducted and the results were contrary to the expected hypothesis. Instead of the LFOM working to a certain flow rate and then failing the flow rates were linear with depth but with a different slope than the predicted values, information . Information is available on the experiment page. The perplexing results may be due to the fact that there we were not witnessing a point of failure, a flow rate at which a LFOM will fail, but a complete failure. If We now suspect that if the pipe is sized too small to accomodate accommodate the flow rate which the orifice pattern is designed to support deliver then the LFOM will fail for all flow rates. This hypothesis would agree with the results. It would be beneficial in future research to test the LFOM created above with a diameter of 1.5 inches with an orifice pattern designed to handle could be easily tested by using the momentum approach to determine the maximum flow rate out of the bottom of the LFOM for the pipe, 62.5 L/min. It would also be interesting to apply a flow rate in excess of the 62.5 L/min and watch the system for evidence of failure.
• Thirdly it is important to work on interface between the LFOM and the automated chemical doser.

Chemical Doser Spring 2009 Challenges

• all water depths. This hypothesis should be tested by doing the analysis in MathCAD. This should be a trivial extension of the design challenge in 4540.
• Write an article for Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-AQUA documenting the design and performance of the dose controller. See the article on the Flow Controller as an example. The paper should document the design algorithm for the LFOM. Ideally the paper would include design guidelines for dose controllers in the flow range up to 400 mL/min and in the next larger flow range where orifice flow will be appropriate.

Floating Floc Spring 2009 Challenges

This team should add an experimental component to first replicate the floating floc problem and then test methods to eliminate them. The laboratory research will be a new strong focus for the spring semester.

Subteam Leader: Tiffany McClaskey

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Number of team members needed:

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3 total

Important team member skills:

• Familiar with AguaClara project (not a brand new member)
• Comfortable with MathCAD
• Willing to put in extra time to learn how flow controller and linear flow orifice meter (LFOM) work

Challenges

• Combine design with the sutro weir/LFOM
  • Create series of calibrations for CD to match each of the pre-designed LFOMs
• Create more comprehensive MathCAD program to design and theoretically model CD performance when coupled with weir
• Find out how small the chem doser tubing can be before flooding occurs
• Create a robust tool for float sizing
• Assess feasibility of CD use in chlorine dosing
  • Develop methods for dosing with the CD when not next to the grit chamber

Floating Floc Spring 2009 Challenges

Subteam Leader: Tiffany McClaskey

Number of team members needed:

2 or 3 total

Important team member skills:

• Programming in MathCAD
• Comfortable with fluid dynamics

• Laboratory experience
• Programming in MathCAD
• CEE 3310 or equivalent

Experimental Challenges

The first step is to replicate the problem that is occurring at Tamara and Marcala and then devise a method to solve the problem. Given that we are confident that the problem is due to excessive dissolved oxygen, it would be possible to immediately begin research on methods to strip excess oxygen from the water and use dissolved oxygen probes (available in the Environmental Teaching Lab) to measure the effectiveness of the oxygen stripping methods. This simple method of measuring the air stripping methods should be started before beginning on the more complicated method of actually creating floating flocs.

• Design a laboratory setup to create floating flocs
  • High pressure aeration to create water supersaturated with oxygen
  • Hydraulic flocculation
  • Sedimentation could be conventional horizontal flow to easily illustrate the problem of floating flocs
• Test various methods to strip excess air from the water to eliminate floating flocs
  • Sub atmospheric pressure aeration using either a high velocity zone or more likely, a zone that is above the hydraulic grade line.
  • Atmospheric aeration
  • Bubble flotation zone to release the bubbles prior to adding coagulant to prevent entrainment of the bubbles in the flocs.

Modeling Challenges

• Review program and make sure everything is correct. Especially look into the head loss calculations
• Determine the optimal hole size, number of holes, length of pipe and diameter of pipe
• Give the numbers to the guys in Honduras and have them try it
• If it works calculate fittings for any other plants having this issue, if it doesn't choose a different set up and try again

CFD 3D Floc Tank Simulation Spring 2009 Challenges

Subteam Leader: Unknown

Number of team members needed: 2

Important team member skills:

• Comfortable with coding;
• Basic knowledge of fluid mechanics;

Challenges

• Appropriate mesh in 3D
  • Mesh interval size and boundary layers
  • Validate: Check grid convergence, etc.
• Define the model in FLUENT
  • Turbulence model and other parameters
• Validation of the model
  • Numerical stability: convergence, accuracy
  • Compare with experimental data: find similar flows and related experimental data (free/confined jets, back step,etc. )
  • Compare with 2D model: verify the assumptions and validity
• Automation of mesh generation and FLUENT setup
• Data/Parameter analysis and recommendations
  • Recognize important variables and parameters
  • Write user defined functions to extract analysis data
  • Investigate the performance of different geometry

Outreach

Outreach Spring 2009 Challenges

Subteam Leader: Unknown

Number of team member needed: As many as possible

If more than 5 people join, subteams should be created

Important team member skills:

• At least one returning Outreach team member
• Experience with AguaClara is helpful, but this is a good team for new members
• Communication
• Graphic design
• Grant writing

wiki updating

• Update the top level wiki pages to reflect the current state of the project.
• Coordinate translation to Spanish with Leopoldo Rodriguez (mailto: leoaryroar@hotmail.com)

Challenges

Fundraising

Overview: In the Spring 2008 the Outreach team worked to make contacts to develop relationships for future funding and potential partners. The Fall 2008 Team took the opposite approach and devoted much effort toward applying for grants and creating the materials that would make it easier. The next Outreach Team needs to go back and reach out to the contacts made last spring through presentations, newsletters, and any other applicable means you feel would be effective. In the future we hope that communities will be able to outright buy an AguaClara plant based on their affordability. Until that day comes we rely on grants and donations to see us through. It has also been proposed that microfinance partnerships could benefit us, although it seems that it would be a direction that needs to be well research and thoroughly planned before implementation could occur. (See Business Team below).

Specific Fundraising challenges:

1. Follow up with and maintain contact with organizations and contacts from both D.C. trips in Spring 2008 (another trip to DC?)
2. Plan events to present to Alumni (Reunion, Cornell Clubs?)
3. Apply to some grantsfor some grants: search for foundations that share our goals and then contact them to discuss the possibility of gaining their support
4. Write an update to thank donors who supported the Cuatro Comunidades plant when the plant comes online (expected mid February)
5. Raise funds for Agalteca plant in coordination with the team in Honduras

Publicity

Overview: Publicity Awareness
Overview: Awareness ties in with both our fundraising and recruitment efforts. Our current awareness initiatives include the conferences we attend, the fliers, brochures, and posters we create, and the presentations we give. Awareness challenges include those that we already do, but a few new ones have been suggested.

Specific Publicity Challenges:

1. Update brochure about the project and keep a constant supply in rack next to the engineering admissions office.
2. Work with Anne Ju (Cornell Chronicle writer) to create new stories on the AguaClara project
3. Write a blurb and submit it for inclusion in the Water Advocates listserve
4. Follow up with and maintain contact with organizations and contacts from both D.C. trips in Spring 2008
5. Continue with AguaClara newsletter using the Google Group on an every 3 month schedule Continue with AguaClara newsletter (quarterly? electronically sent to all contacts/ potential donors/ aguaclara alumni etc.)
   1. Update AguaClara Alumni to include past semesters grads from last semester
   2. In the future ask students if they wish to be on the list serve for the newsletter.
6. Finish the Demo Plant Instructions Manual, laminate for the suitcase, and make available on the wiki
7. ESW Conference scheduled for Fall 2009, keep an eye out for any new deadlines or correspondancecorrespondence
8. Lesson plan for local schools present about Honduras/water/aguaclara AguaClara at local schools
9. Organize trips/events for people to presentteam members to publicize the project

Recruitment

Overview: Recruitment initiatives continue to be based on Presentations to freshmen's Intro 1050 Classes. Other initiatives have included attempting to get CEE 255 2550 cross listed, so more non-engineering majors might enroll, but hasn't proceeded very far.. Assess what is required to get students from other disciplines into the project. The goal is to recruit students interested in graphic design, communication, education, and business.

Recruitment Specific Challenges:

1. Organize ENGRG 1050 presentations, host meetings open to class to go over using the demo plant and the presentation aka training for 1050 presentations If you still think it's a good idea (less important than other challenges):
2. Get CEE 255 listed for interdisciplinary courses for the fall
3. Work on syllabus for interdisciplinary purposes
   

Business Team?

If there is interest in creating a separate business team, it could be 2-3 members. Tasks (suggested by last spring team) could include:

1. Need to decide grants/microfinance
2. Microfinance proposal with help from someone with business experience (there is interest in a revolving low interest loan to make it possible for communities to self finance the water treatment plants)
3. Better projections of global demand
4. Better generic public health statistics about the importance of water
5. Follow up on contacts made by Larry Harrington...lots of contacts so figure out a way to reach more of themLearn more about microfinance specifically towards AguaClara
6. Contact Engineering firms/Government Agencies about the potential for partnerships.
7. Follow-up with SEA and figure out a strategy that can work for both groups to keep them involved