Page History

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• Continuing on the Low Flow Stacked Rapid Sand Filter subteam, I will work worked to finalize the construction of the 12" (30 cm) diameter filter begun last semester. Ultimately, we hope to have We succeeded in having the filter up and running by the end of the semester. This will involve involved designing a sand drain, slotted manifolds, and pipe stubs, as well as a method of recycling water through the plant so it can could be run continuously. So far, I have contributed to the design and machining of the slotted manifolds for the filter, and I have worked to machine and install valves for the pressure sensors that will be were inserted into the side of the main filter column. I have assembled the backwash pipe for the filter and helped test the column for watertightness. I generated a design for the sand drain and helped the team transition from fabrication into testing by introducing measures like secondary containment. Towards the end of the semester, I assisted in testing the filter, and helped succeed in initiating backwash under substandard conditions.

Fall 2013 Contributions

• As a part of the Low Flow Stacked Rapid Sand Filtrer subteam, I contributed to the ongoing construction of a new, 12" diameter filter that will be used to model LFSRSFs currently being built in India. I helped create a simplified, accessible design for the filter hydraulics, and formalized design constraints for the filter through myriad head loss calculations. I helped pioneer a new way of joining filter components using gaskets, stainless steel shim stock, and hose clamps, and applied this method in the construction of a filter column, entrance tank, and exit tank. I led efforts to replace filter inlet and exit piping with flexible PVC, and created a construction method to insert couplings and barbed-to-male adapters through filter column walls. I began construction of the backwash pipe and investigated the uniformity of flow distribution through inlet piping via the flow ratio. I created various schematic diagrams and documented design motivations and procedures that will be helpful when the construction of this filter is eventually replicated.

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