Sarah Sinclair's Individual Contribution Page

Continuing on the Low Flow Stacked Rapid Sand Filter subteam, I worked to finalize the construction of the 12" (30 cm) diameter filter begun last semester. We succeeded in having the filter up and running by the end of the semester. This involved designing a sand drain, slotted manifolds, and pipe stubs, as well as a method of recycling water through the plant so it could be run continuously. I contributed to the design and machining of the slotted manifolds for the filter, and worked to machine and install valves for the pressure sensors that were inserted into the side of the main filter column. I 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.

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.

As a part of the Small Scale Plant Model team, I contributed to the construction of a portable, scaled model of an AguaClara plant that will clearly represent AguaClara treatment processes and can be used for educational and fundraising purposes. I was responsible for the creation of the majority of our team's Rhinoceros templates representing flattened plant components. I contributed to the later optimization of these templates, and I compiled three-dimensional composite shots of our model's components in order to facilitate future construction. I also assembled our model flocculator, filter, and filter inlet, and worked to cut out our model entrance tank from chipboard.