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Because of past problems involving grit clogging flocculators, the GRIT team explored grit removal design using plate settlers before flocculation, deciding on an iteration of design called the Channel GRU. It decreases the plant’s plan view area by reducing the size of the entrance tank, ensures even flow distribution using creative plate-to-floor geometry, and incorporates chemical dosing and rapid mix after grit removal. This design is currently being considered has been sent to Honduras for construction in Honduras. |
Current Research
The current AguaClara plant design requires a large entrance tank to settle out grit particles prior to the flocculator. Grit removal by horizontal flow sedimentation prevents the settling of these large particles in the flocculator (a phenomenon that has been observed in several AguaClara plants to negatively affect plant flow and operation). The purpose of the Grit Removal Innovative Technologies (GRIT) team is to redesign the current grit settling system by introducing plate settlers prior to the flocculation unit. In doing so, the plan-view area needed to settle out grit will be greatly reduced, decreasing construction costs and overall AguaClara plant size. This paper outlines the GRIT team’s process exploring plate settler design options that act either as sedimentation units only, or as combined flocculation and sedimentation units.
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