Reevaluation of previous experiments with the new system
Objective
This set of experiments attempts to replicate the grain size research performed with the previous experimental setup. Additionally, the effectiveness of each of the components in the setup will be assessed with respect to theoretical expectations.
General Procedure
In Process Controller, configure the system so that the aerator air pressure is maintained at roughly 100 kPa. Fill the sand column with 60 cm of Sand 40 and adjust the flow rate on the pump forcing water through the sand filter to establish a bed expansion of 50%. For this experiment, manual measurements of flow rate were performed by unhooking the influent water tube into the sand filter and allowing the influent to fill a large graduated cylinder over the course of a minute. The flow rate was found to be 225 ml/min. (In order to minimize changes made to the system, measurements for future experiments will be taken at the system effluent tube.) Run the Process Controller method file here on the "On" state.
The "On" state regulates the air pressure in the aerator by releasing small amounts of air through a valve when the system exceeds the maximum aerator air pressure of 102 kPa. The water level in the aerator is controlled in a similar manner; however, the water wasting valve is also subject to a duty cycle in which the valve will open for a set period of time and close for a set period of time. If the "on" condition for the wasting valve is not met (that is, if the water level does not exceed the regulated height), the wasting valve will remain closed.
The water entering the aerator and leaving is maintained at a constant rate throughout the experiment via manually controlled pumps. The flow entering the sand filter column was adjusted so that a 50% expansion was met. The water is allowed to flow through the sand column, where bubbles can form. When bubbles grow large enough in the filter, they can float up to the top and out through a tube into the bubble collector.
Throughout the duration of the experiment, the bubble collector will go through refilling cycles. Initially, an air valve at the top of the bubble collector will open and the water effluent valve located at the bottom of the bubble collector will close, allowing the collector to fill like a sitting column of water. Once a maximum height is reached, the air valve will shut off and the water valve will open, resulting in a partial vacuum at the top of the collector. This causes the column of water in the bubble collector to be suspended. As bubbles enter the collector, gas in the bubbles fills the partial vacuum, allowing the water column to slowly leave the collector. Once the minimum water level in the collector is reached, the apparatus refills.
For each emptying period of the bubble collector, data is collected via Process Controller. Analysis of the data collected can be quantified as a gas removal rate (see below).
Results and Discussion
Experiment 1 - Replicate of the Previous Sand 40 Experiment
- This experiment was performed shortly after the installation of the new setup with the purpose of replicating previous grain size results and assessing the overall functionality of the setup.
Experiment 2 - Replicate of the Previous Sand 30 Experiment
- After making adjustments to the system to account for the issues found in the first experiment, this second experiment was performed to again test the functionality of the system and to replicate previous results.