Team Members -
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Summer 2008
Sara Schwetschenau #Gantt Chart - Sara
T. David McEvoy #Gantt Chart - Dave
Kevin Borden #Gantt Chart - Kevin
Rebecca Thompson#Gantt Chart - Rebecca
Narayana Pappu
Leah Buerman Automated Flow Control Info
Tapered Flocculation
- Jeff Bowser
Sedimentation
- Mike Costello
- Matt Tabacco
Meeting Time:
Motivation & Objective
The main objective Research for the Spring 2008 semester was to create a reliable testing set-up that allows us to draw a conclusion about the efficiency of tapered flocculation in dynamic environments. The second main objective is to build and test a sedimentation tank in series with the flocculation tank. This will allow us to isolate what process needs to be improved. Does our flocculation model need to be improved or does our sedimentation design need alteration. It is also a goal to observe how these processes interact, how does flocculation affect sedimentation, especially how it affects sludge blanket formation.
Semester Research Goals
As the semester has progressed research for the pilot plant has sort of split into three separate sections, data analysis, tank testing, and sedimentation tank design and construction. Goals have been split-up into these sections.
Over View of Goals
1. Make Necessary Tank Modifications
2. Analyze and Alter Tank Testing Procedure Based on Collected Data
3. Design Sedimentation Tank
4. Build Sedimentation Tank
5. Analyze Sedimentation Tank Results to determine Design Viability
Flocculation Tank Modifications Made in Spring 2008
- Pilot Plant Construction and Research
- Enlarged Port Holes - It was determined that the openings between the sections of the flocculator were too small
- Pressurized Turbidity Meters - Alter configuration of set-up drawing water from tube settlers to the turbidity meters. So that outlet is raised above the tank to ensure air stays in solution.
- Submerge Tube Settlers - to eliminate density gradients caused by temperature differences. This was causing the poor settling of flocs.
- Caulk Tank Bottom - to stop upflow surpassing the bottom panel of the tank
- Installation of Inline flow meter - to be used for comparison
- Install Inflow Bucket - Leah's flow measuring bucket required tank modifications
- Install Tank Light - Install submersibles light to provide better lighting in the tank
Tank Testing Procedure
- Our biggest goal is to establish a reliable experimental testing procedure. This method should include being able to visually analyze and classify, via a standardized reference, the flocculation in the tank. Week of March 28 A larger scale goal this smaller goal is of the testing is to develop a profile of floc formation along the length of the large-scale tapered flocculator - end of the semester.
- Development of Alternative Testing Procedure - In order to double check the validity of data from the tube settler and turbidimeter combination, we have developed an alternate testing procedure in which grab samples are taken near the inlet points of the tube settler and allowed to settle for a short period of time. Data using this procedure will be compared to data from the turbidimeters as a validity check. March 10 -development, March 28 implementation.
- Develop more detailed procedure for quantifying floc size in various parts of the sedimentation tank. This will be a combination of visual and data based analysis. If necessary, we may augment the turbidity level of the incoming water to simulate the higher turbidity levels found in Honduras.
Data Analysis
Data analysis techniques build off of work done by Carol Serna in previous semesters. Data will be analyzed using MathCADD, and in some simple cases using Excel. Data Analysis will begin March 31.
Comparative data of before and after tank improvements (cauking the tank, enlarging holes, and submerged tube settlers) is expected to be available.
Sedimentation Tank
- Pilot Plant- Sedimentation Tank
This semester a sedimentation tank was constructed to follow the flocculation tank. It was design to run with just a sludge blanket. This tank was constructed and testing began at the end of the semester. A preliminary design for a sedimentation tank, with settling via lamella was designed as well, but this design is currently still under review.
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summer of 2008 is will focus in three main areas. The Sedimentation Tank sub-section will focus on continuing research with sludge blanket formation and stability. Another sedimentation tank with lamella technology will also be constructed for comparison. The Tapered Flocculation sub-section will focus on continuing to analyze floc profiles, focusing on ways to create larger flocs faster. Suggested experiments with inline flow obstacles and possibly a redesign of the initial section of the flocculator are proposed. The Automated Flow Control sub-section is focusing on continued research of the linear flow measuring weir as well as the construction and testing of the float-lever chemical dosing system.
Research Goals
Goals have been made for each of the three sub-sections of the Pilot Plant group.
Overall Goals
- Consistently produce water that is under 1 NTU after sedimentation
- Determine the most efficient flocculation and sedimentation combination
- Determine the viability of the automated chemical dosing apparatus
Tapered Flocculation Tank Goals for Summer 2008
- Past Research
- Developing Floc Profiles
- Extend the length of the flocculator to increase Gtheta
- Add obstacles to the beginning sections to increase shear where the floc can handle it
- Redesign the initial sections of the flocculator for baffles to be closer together initially
- Add kaolin clay to the raw water to test technology at higher inlet turbidities
Sedimentation Tank Goals for Summer 2008
- Past Research
- Complete design of the second sedimentation tank with lamella
- Construct second sedimentation tank
- Determine the optimum upflow velocity for sludge blanket formation
- Alter set-up to allow for the inline turbidity meters to sample effluent turbidity from both sedimentation tank.
- Compare sedimentation technologies to determine the most efficient technology
Automated Flow Control and Chemical Dosing Goals for Summer 2008
Past Research
- The Research Log documents the reseach research that is being done in the current semester.
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In the Fall '07 semester, a tapered-baffle set-up was designed, constructed, and installed.
In the Spring '08 semester, the floc tank set-up was improved, floc formation profiles were developed a sludge blanket sedimentation tank was built and tested. The Automated Flow measuring weir was built and tested.
History of past research and details of current research can be found on wiki page entitled Pilot Plant Construction and Research. Details of the Sedimentation Tank Research can be found on the wiki page entitled Pilot Plant- Sedimentation Tank.