Overview of Methods
In order to experimentally define the critical velocity at which floc roll up begins, a ramp state function must be employed. Instead of cycling through constant velocities, a method used in previous experiments, the capture velocity starts at a specific point and gradually increases over a given length of time until it reaches the highest set caputure velocity.
By incrementally increasing the capture velocity through the ramp state, we can compare the effluent turbidity to the capture velocity and identify the capture velocity at which floc roll up begins, and this will be the critical velocity.
Using the same experimental apparatus as was used in Summer 2009 and Spring 2009, and the ramp state process controller function, we hope to prove that the model of floc roll up behavior is accurate, so that we can minimize the floc roll up in the plate settlers and further reduce the effluent turbidity.
Results and Discussion
By running the ramp state function on different tube settler diameterrs, we hope to further develop the relationship between plate settler size and floc roll up
Experiment 1: Ramp State with 9.5 mm tube