Linear Chemical Dose Controller (LCDC/LFOM)
The linear Chemical Dose Controller (LCDC) is a critical piece of the AguaClara technology which couples the plant flow rate with the flow rate of the coagulant or disinfectant stock solution. The result is a semi-automated system in which the plant operator only needs to set a dose for the chemical and it will be administered automatically as the plant flow rate varies. The system has evolved steadily with major advances every year. The ability to accurately and predictably control the alum and chlorine dosages without electricity sets AguaClara apart from other water treatment technologies.
Fall 2012: The main challenges of the Fall 2012 team were to create, refine, and test a prototype of the lever arm assembly based on a design created during the Summer of 2012. The LCDC system was scaled up to a plant flow rate of 44 L/s and is currently ready for deployment in Winter 2013 for use in the Piedras Amarillas plant located in the town of Las Vegas, Honduras. The Fall 2012 team made the following changes to the Summer 2012 design: devised a drop tube connection design to reduce leakage, added cross bracing to the lever arm assembly to reduce bending of the lever arms, and devised a new calibration device to enable fine-tuned adjustments. In order to create an aesthetically pleasing design, the team had the lever arm anodized, added a modified weight, and had a label, scale and logo mechanically engraved on the lever arm. Finally, the LCDC system was tested for linearity with respect to the influent plant flow rate and percent dosage. Percent error for the percentage dose analysis and entrance tank height changes were highest at low chemical flows, which may be due to surface tension effects.
Team Members
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Challenges |
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Teach-In |
Presentation |
Final Report |
Fall 2012 |
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Spring 2012 |
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Fall 2011 |
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Summer 2011 |
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Spring 2011 |
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