Design Projects
Fall 2008
Feedback from the interns in Honduras has shown that settling is occurring in the slopes at Marcala. This is thought to be occurring because the bottom angle is too shallow and because the exit velocity from the slopes is too low. Some literature review showed that to prevent settling and floc break up, the velocity should be around 5 cm/s. When possible, the lower angle for future designs was changed from 10 deg to 30-40 deg.
An algorithm was needed to automate the design of the slopes. After several versions, it was decided that exit ports would be needed at the slope exit. A description of this algorithm can be found here.
Cuatro Communidades
The Cuatro Communidades design was smaller than other recent designs completed. Single width sedimentation tanks were used for the design. This plant will be the first to be designed to include the sedimentation tank slopes, and an exit channel. Details of the design can be found below.
Gracias
We began the semester trying out new set-ups for the Gracias community which required a flowrate much higher than previous designs. The results can be seen below.
It was ultimately decided that Gracias would have a triple width sed tank. The variable widths of the sed tank will later be automated to account for higher flowrates.
Gracias Experimental Set ups
Gracias Design
Ecuador Design
The Ecuador pilot plant was designed for a University professor. The plant was designed to have a flow rate of 3L/s. This pilot facility is designed to be viewed by other communities in the hope of encouraging the AguaClara technology as a water treatment option.