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Foam Filtration
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Past Research
Flat Foam Sheet Experiments with coagulated particles
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Prior to considering the actual design of a proposed filtration unit, it is necessary to test the filtering capacity of the foam material we would like to use. Therefore, a number of experimental trials on foam with varying pore sizes and flow rates were conducted. Pore sizes are measured in the units pores per inch, which is a linear measurement. A smaller pore size corresponds with a larger number of pores per inch, i.e. a pore size of 90 ppi will have smaller pores than foam with 60 ppi. Briefly, it was found that the flat foam sheets alone do not provide enough colloid removal, under the conditions tested, to be an implementable method of filtration for the AguaClara plants. However, under more realistic conditions, where particles would be flocculated, rather than the worst case lab conditions as tested, foam filtration may in fact be feasible. Please see the results and discussion of each experiment for further explanation.
Foam Filtration Current Research
High Velocity Foam Filtration
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Since laboratory research showed that horizontal flow foam filtration was not a feasible method for achieving the desired standards, it is necessary to manipulate the geometry of the proposed foam filtration unit in another way. With a high velocity foam filter, the depth of the foam will be increased to accommodate the increased velocity. With an increased filtration velocity, the filtration unit will require less planned area, which reduces the associated construction and maintenance costs.
Foam Filtration Future Research
After laboratory tests on the filtering capacity of the polyurethane foam material are concluded, the following areas of research will be explored:
Effect of Natural Organic Matter
If we conclude from laboratory tests that the foam material provides adequate filtration, it will be necessary to test the effects of natural organic matter on the foam material.
Foam Filtration Unit Design
This filtration unit design should be optimized according to the required surface area and filtration velocity parameters determined through previous laboratory experiments. In addition, it should minimize the required plan area, as well as maximize the ease of maintence for the operator.
Cleaning Method
After determinig the effects of natural organic matter on the foam material, we will propose a standardized method for cleaning and replacing the foamLater this semester, we would like to further investigate a few different methods of achieving our goal of 1 NTU effluent turbidity, as outlined below.
Foam Media Upflow Design
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