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My research set-up was not returned to the lab until the 3rd week of the semester, which is when I learned about the actual physical apparatus. Since then I have written After that I wrote a MathCAD sheet for the design. The sheet is not working completely yet, but it is largely done. I have also modified the apparatus prototype (and written wrote an explanation of it) from my experiences playing with it (and having it produce very erratic results) in the lab. There were some pieces that caused the tubes to balance incorrectly and cause "hidden headloss". I set up the improved apparatus with pressure sensors to collect precise data, and I have taken a few took data sets with it so farthat I have analyzed here.I plan to continue the data collection and get the MathCAD sheet working soon so I have plenty of time to compare the data to the theoretical expectations this semester. I have already found one more modification that I need to make to the apparatus from this preliminary data set, though
From that apparatus I worked with Paul to design and build a more robust set up for use in Honduras. It is described here. I performed two more experiments with the new "robust ACD", which are both described and have data analyses here, the same page as the prototype data collection for one experiment and here for the other experiment.
Finally I analyzed the data from both set ups to produce a plot of what the driving head to outflow relationship is for the system. That analysis can be found here.
The MathCAD sheet complete with my data sets and theoretical modeling of the system is attached to the ACD Laboratory Testing page. The model is not completely working yet since Leah and I did not have time to try to fit together our systems, but I plan to finish that part of the sheet in the next 2 weeks. The data analysis sections are all working well and fully commented, though.
I also am finishing up the ACD Parts List, which will be done after one more meeting with Paul. I have been in contact with the AguaClara engineers in Honduras and with Nadia from CEE 454 to make the winter installation run smoothly.
Spring 2008
This semester I have focused mainly on organizing team class meetings, organizing and populating the wiki, and outreach. I came up with a Calendar of class and forum times, and (attempted) to make outlines for each class. Some weeks this entailed just contacting groups to give teach-ins, while other weeks it involved more thoughtful attempts to construct discussions for forums.
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