Maithili Gokarn's Individual Contribution Page

Fall 2013 Contributions

This semester I am a member of the Anaerobic Wastewater Treatment team.

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•  Reviewed existing literature and

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• research from the summer .

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• Familiarized self with the use of measurement equipments and techniques like Gas

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• Chromatography and Spectrophotometer , by conducting regular gas ,influent and effluent sampling .

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•  Learnt the use of Process Controller software .

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• Reactor construction-cutting  and drilling holes in pipes to fit reactor specifications,threaded the pipe holes and fit the pipes with fittings using plumber's tape.

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• Set up of  the newly constructed reactors by placing them on the stands , attaching the required tubings,valves and pressure sensors , testing the solenoid valves using Process Controller and fixing the pumps to the reactors .

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• Conducted tests to characterize the relationship between upflow velocity and bed expansion in order to more accurately control the size of the particle beds in the AFBR reactors
•  Inoculation of 6 six reactors and  addition of media to the AFBR reactors.
• Data Analysis 

Spring 2014 Contributions

This semester I am again a member of the Anaerobic Wastewater Treatment team.

This semester we have divided the team into three sub-teams  ,based on our work  and results obtained in the fall semester .The three groups are -UASB Team, Aerobic Treatment Team and the Reactor Modification Team. I am a part of the UASB team. 

• Last semester the actual methane produced by our reactors was relatively lesser than the theoretically produced methane.
• This semester,changed the process flow such that the UASB receives high strength wastewater resulting in more methane gas production per  gCOD destruction.
• Developed methods to test gas tightness and  achieve gas tightness by trying different methods- using Teflon tape and para film , change plastic tubing to copper tubing , and finally using epoxy glue on the fittings .
• Developed new frequency of sampling and added pH tests to sampling parameter

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