Small Scale Plant Model
Understanding the layout and processes of AguaClara plants can be difficult if one has never seen a plant. This team will design and create a small scale plant that can be used to demonstrate how the plant is laid out, where each process takes place and how it can be taken apart for cleaning. Potential donors and partners, in particular, will benefit from the small scale plant as they will be able to more easily understand the plants.
- Design and construct a small scale plan that can be used to present the AguaClara design.
- The final product should look like a model from the design tool.
- Include labels and features to distinguish between different processes in the plant.
- Be able to take up square footage of a laptop and be easily portable.
- Can be taken apart in the same way as a full scale plant.
Spring 2013
The Spring 2013 team planned construction of a scale model of a 12 L/S AguaClara water treatment plant. The construction of this model was intended to educate and motivate individuals interested in the AguaClara water treatment process. The team edited AutoCAD drawings of the plant using the three-dimensional design software Rhinoceros; plant components were separated into individual planes and laid flat in templates. These pieces were optimized so that they would fit in a 12"x18" laser cutting area and aligned so that multiple pieces could be cut efficiently and at the same time. These finalized Rhinoceros files were then converted back into AutoCAD drawing files in preparation for laser cutting. The Rhinoceros files were also saved as PDFs so that the team could print paper templates to be used in the construction of the mock-up model. The mock-up's pieces were cut from chipboard using an X-ACTO knife and assembled with tape. The team finished certain pieces of the mock-up model this semester, including the main base, flocculator, filter, and filter inlet. The team also began work on other mock-up plant components, including the entrance tank and the staircase. Meanwhile, the Small Scale Plant Model team researched materials for building the final model, considering transparent and opaque Plexiglas, museum board, Plexiglas rod and tubing, and Plexiglue. After deliberation, it was decided that the entire model would be built in Plexiglas, and the team ordered and received 3 sheets of 12"x18" transparent Plexiglas, 6 sheets of 24"x24" white Plexiglas, and 1 sheet of 12"x12" blue Plexiglas. The team will laser cut these Plexiglas pieces through the school of Art, Architecture, and Planning, which offers a laser cutting service that is free to Cornell students.
Members
Theresa Chu
Amanda Rodriguez
Sarah Sinclair
Supplemental Material
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