Kadambari's Individual Contribution Page
Spring 2014 Contributions
Foam Filtration
We aim to re-design the foam filter such that the cleaning procedure is simplified, the LFOM and dose controller components have the potential of being dexterously installed, and the draining technique is more "user-friendly." An underlying goal in all of this is to make the foam filter an emergency unit such that the filter will be ready to use upon arrival/ basic set-up.
Fall 2013 End of Semester Contributions
Foam Filtration
As promised, since the last "check in," the Foam Filtration team did look into implementing a single column design. After various calculations and drawings, the final design consists of a single 55-gallon drum, 23" in diameter that uses a ratchet lever hoist and pulley system for "plunging" the dirty water out, as well as a siphon for removing dirty water that resides on top of the compressed foam. The system will also be equipped with an LFOM, chemical doser, and chlorination system-- which will all, including the drum and cleaning system, be mounted on a wooden frame. Similar to the previous semesters, the filter will still consist of 30 and 90 PPI foam, however, it will now be in 4" blocks to allow the operator to manipulate the amount of each to be included as per the turbidity of the water. This system will be taken down to Honduras by myself and a fellow team member in order to exhibit the new system to the AAP there and was submitted as a part of an EPA P3 to be used as an emergency design.
For next semester, we are hoping to therefore, not only work on our design of the foam filter serving as a [permanent component] of an Agua Clara plant, but also improve its capacity of being used as an emergency system,
Fall 2013 End of Semester Contributions
Foam Filtration
As promised, since the last "check in," the Foam Filtration team did look into implementing a single column design. After various calculations and drawings, the final design consists of a single 55-gallon drum, 23" in diameter that uses a ratchet lever hoist and pulley system for "plunging" the dirty water out, as well as a siphon for removing dirty water that resides on top of the compressed foam. The system will also be equipped with an LFOM, chemical doser, and chlorination system-- which will all, including the drum and cleaning system, be mounted on a wooden frame. Similar to the previous semesters, the filter will still consist of 30 and 90 PPI foam, however, it will now be in 4" blocks to allow the operator to manipulate the amount of each to be included as per the turbidity of the water. This system will be taken down to Honduras by myself and a fellow team member in order to exhibit the new system to the AAP there and was submitted as a part of an EPA P3 to be used as an emergency design.
For next semester, we are hoping to therefore, not only work on our design of the foam filter serving as a [permanent component] of an Agua Clara plant, but also improve its capacity of being used as an emergency system,
Fall 2013 Mid-Semester Contributions
Foam Filtration
We are currently in the midst of ploughing through our task list. We have already tested the lifetime of the foam and compression/ decompression abilities. From our tests, we were able to conclude that the foam does not encounter too many problems with mechanical failure, however the structure upon which it sits requires an immense amount of work. There is a need for a more stable structure because of which we are looking into using circular, plastic drums; they would allow for a "tight seal" (between the foam and the filter wall), a sturdy base, and a filter that can visually display its contents. Also, it was discovered that the foam cannot decompress on its own and the string-method of decompressing the foam is extremely tedious, especially when only one of the filter columns is being compressed. The team will look into creating a single column filter system and implementing a mechanical arm to create a more efficient and user-friendly system.
Fall 2013 Contributions
Foam Filtration
We aim to determine a design in which cleaning and draining the filters is most efficient, the controller has the ability to turn individual filters on/ off, and a chemical doser is incorporated. We will also try to establish some basic information by researching the lifetime of the foam filters, as well as, the level of turbidity that the foam filters can handle. We are hoping to improve the foam filtration system with the purpose of not only increasing its capacity/ variability, but also having it ready to go for implementation in Honduras this winter.