Theresa Chu's Individual Contributions Page

Spring 2013 Contributions

I was a member of the Small Scale Plant Model team. We planned to build a model of a water filtration plant that will be built to scale within the dimensions of a carry-on suitcase and will be used for educating others and encouraging donations to the AguaClara team. This semester, I used the software Rhinoceros to lay out individual plant pieces in order to have templates ready for laser cutting the pieces, saved these pieces in usable AutoCAD drawing files, and researched laser cutting, Plexiglas, and other materials for building the final model. I also worked on the construction of the mock-up model, which has been partially completed.

Summer 2013 Contributions

This summer I was a member of the SRSF Theory team. I researched the different variables that cause clogging of the subsurface injection filter as well as measured the effect on effluent turbidity and head loss. The stacked rapid sand filter was compared to the conventional downflow rapid sand filter.

Fall 2013 Contributions

I was a member of the SRSF Theory team. We redesigned and built the filter apparatus so that it better represents the Stacked Rapid Sand Filter. Several issues in designing the experimental apparatus included keeping influent turbidity constant and reducing coagulant loss. We implemented and tested PID control so that influent turbidity stayed at a constant value and I monitored influent turbidity and clay pump control to test whether PID control was effective. I created part of the Process Controller method file to run experiments efficiently. I also compiled and analyzed data on effluent turbidity and head loss to evaluate filter performance.