Carrie Smith's Individual Contribution Page

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Spring Semester Contributions

This fall, I and my teammate Jenny Guan are continuing work on foam filter for deployment in Spring 2013. This device is intended for small communities such as a school.  

Our tasks for this semester include the following:

Since last semester I worked on finishing up an AguaClara research project, I thought that it would be an interesting change of pace to work on starting up a new research project! I, along with three others, will be working on making the AguaClara lab arsenic ready. Our detailed task list is available on the Arsenic Research Page .

As of May 10th, we have completed our research into getting the AguaClara lab ready for arsenic experiments.  We anticipate that in the fall the next arsenic team will be able to set up the experimental device and perhaps even start running experiments.  We have written a detailed guide that outlines the steps the next team should take: 

1. Determine appropriate location for arsenic testing 

(a) This may be within the AguaClara lab

(b) They may need to explore other labs on Cornell's campus that are better equipped to handle arsenic

2. Create disposal satellites

(a) Contact Bill Leonard at Cornell EH&S (wl68@cornell.edu)

3. Design system

(a) Start with the existing AguaClara FlocSed model to get a sense of bonding efficiencies between different coagulants and arsenic

(b) Using the data obtained through experimentation, input parameters into Mathcad file

(c) Through trial and error, determine the necessary type and dosage of coagulant for different arsenic concentrations

4. Obtain arsenic

I enjoyed this project and learned a lot about arsenic handling and interaction with other metals.  I hope that future teams can benefit from the research we did on this topic.  Below is a link to our final paper (also available on the Arsenic research page):

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Fall Semester Contributions

This fall, I and my teammate Jenny Guan continued work on foam filter for deployment in Spring 2013. This device is intended for small communities such as a school.  

This semester we attempted to complete the following tasks.1. Add a chemical dose controller for coagulant and chlorine to the filtration system. To be completed by Sept. 28 
(a) Add the necessary chemicals to stock tanks and chemical dosers using the latest technologies. 
(b) Create a frame design that can be obtained and easy to assemble in Honduras.
(c) Determine the foam breakpoint. 
2. Develop an operator friendly method of determining when to clean the filter. To be completed by Oct. 10
(a) Observe past team members setting up the system and record the difficulties encountered. 
(b) Develop recommendation to make the system more user friendly by creating a 1 page illustrated guide and testing the system by having an individual operate the system.
(c) Develop a protocol to minimize spikes in filtered water turbidity after cleaning and guidelines for setting up coagulant doses.
(d) Determine what the operator should use as feedback to determine whether the dose should be increased or decreased. 
3. Communicate with Agua Para el Pueblo about the best method to deploy the technology. By Nov. 27 
(a) Explore the possibility of using such a system permanently at a school or community. 
(b) Create plans for deployment as an emergency system and pack a test system for transport.
(c) Coordinate plans so there is an opportunity to display a model at a school or community.
(d) Research the supplies for reticulated foam in Honduras. 
4. Find a correlation between NTUs and time to breakthrough/overflow. Completed throughout project.
(a) Investigate relationships between breakthrough and plunged effluent
(b) Run more tests
5. Find a way to run the filter without electricity. Completed throughout project. 

1. Add a chemical dose controller for coagulant and chlorine to the filtration system. 

• We were able to add a CDC for the coagulant and chlorine to the filtration system. We calibrated them with clean water, so a future team will need to re-calibrate with the correct fluids in case there is a difference in the viscosities of coagulant and chlorine.

2. Communicate with Agua Para el Pueblo about the best method to deploy the technology. 

• We did not communicate with Agua Para el Pueblo as we struggled to create a completed filter device for deployment within the allotted time span.

3. Find a correlation between NTUs and time to breakthrough/overflow. an operator friendly way of determining breakthrough

• We were able to develop a Secchi Disk that can be used by an operator at a fairly high turbidity. It should still be calibrated by a future team to establish the best location to place the Secchi Disk and at what turbidity the disk disappears.

4. Find a way to run the filter without electricity. 

• We were able elevate the tank to an appropriate level to allow the system to operate without electricity.

5. Create a user manual in Spanish

The tasks in bold are ones that are still in progress. 

• We created an illustrated user manual in Spanish for operators. 

We recommend that a future team investigate the following:

1. Re-calibrate CDCs with the corresponding fluids to reflect the differing viscocities. 
2. Find the appropriate Secchi depth at which the Secchi Disk disappears.

Here is a link to the final paper that Jenny and I wrote on our work this past semester:

Image AddedThus far, we have been able to create a chemical dose controller, have raised our tank up to allow the filter to run without electricity, and have created a Secchi disk to measure the turbidity easily.