Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Filter Update 6/5/2013
Week Nine and Ten Completed Tasks
Final Turbidity Readings
The turbidity readings for week nine were 2.2 NTU for the river and 2.15 NTU
Flow rate: 240 mL / hr
Final Turbidity Readings
The turbidity readings for week nine were 2.2 NTU for the river and 2.15 NTU
Flow rate: 240 mL / hr
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Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Filter Update 5/29/2013
Week Eight Completed Tasks
Filter Readings
Glue used to affix outflow hose to main filter body was found to be completely permeable. This was fixed by coating with nail polish. Filter no longer leaks, outflow hose functioning properly. Last week's results were promising, I expect this week's to be better.
Turbidity readings to date:
Wk 5: .73 influent, .03 effluent (turbidity meter was improperly calibrated)
Wk 6: 8.01 influent, 3.79 effluent
Wk 7: 16.26 influent, 1.69 effluent
Wk 8: 11.56 influent, .55 effluent
Breaking up the rust layer has more than doubled the flow rate.
Filter Readings
Glue used to affix outflow hose to main filter body was found to be completely permeable. This was fixed by coating with nail polish. Filter no longer leaks, outflow hose functioning properly. Last week's results were promising, I expect this week's to be better.
Turbidity readings to date:
Wk 5: .73 influent, .03 effluent (turbidity meter was improperly calibrated)
Wk 6: 8.01 influent, 3.79 effluent
Wk 7: 16.26 influent, 1.69 effluent
Wk 8: 11.56 influent, .55 effluent
Breaking up the rust layer has more than doubled the flow rate.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Filter Update 5/21/2013
Week Seven Completed Tasks
Turbidity and Flow Rate Measurements
The turbidity measurements were 16.26 (river water) and 1.69 (filtered river water). In class we also decided that everyone would let their filter run dry and let it remain dry for 12 hours before feeding it again. We also attempted to measure the flow rate.
Flow rate had decreased to nil. I suspect this is due to iron filings fusing together as they rust, forming an impenetrable layer. I broke up this layer by poking it, and flow rate has returned to normal. New flow rate measurement to come.
Turbidity and Flow Rate Measurements
The turbidity measurements were 16.26 (river water) and 1.69 (filtered river water). In class we also decided that everyone would let their filter run dry and let it remain dry for 12 hours before feeding it again. We also attempted to measure the flow rate.
Flow rate had decreased to nil. I suspect this is due to iron filings fusing together as they rust, forming an impenetrable layer. I broke up this layer by poking it, and flow rate has returned to normal. New flow rate measurement to come.
Monday, May 6, 2013
Filter Construction Photo
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Progress Update 5/5/13
Week Six Completed Tasks
Initial Filter Testing
The river water and the water run through the filter were tested for turbidity. The reading for the turbidity of the river was 0.73 and the turbidity of the water that had been through the filter was 0.03. Before running the river water through the filter, it had first been flushed with approximately 8 oz of tap water, and this might have been why the second reading was so low. Because of this, all filters were required to be flushed with 32 oz of tap water following this reading for standardization purposes. After, the filter returned to receiving river water so that the biofilm could be cultivated without drying out and dying.
Initial Filter Testing
The river water and the water run through the filter were tested for turbidity. The reading for the turbidity of the river was 0.73 and the turbidity of the water that had been through the filter was 0.03. Before running the river water through the filter, it had first been flushed with approximately 8 oz of tap water, and this might have been why the second reading was so low. Because of this, all filters were required to be flushed with 32 oz of tap water following this reading for standardization purposes. After, the filter returned to receiving river water so that the biofilm could be cultivated without drying out and dying.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Progress Update 5/2/13
Week Five Completed Tasks
Filter Construction and Initial Testing
The paper towel was removed from the bottom of the filter, and it was sealed with rubber and a bottle cap. There is a hole in the bottle cap to allow the filtered water to drain out. The rubber hose is still not exactly attached because currently it is taped in place. The iron filings were also added on top of the fiberglass, even though they had not finished rusting. The filter was tested, but the output water ended up with more color than the input. It's predicted that the water is being colored by the fiberglass.
Filter Construction and Initial Testing
The paper towel was removed from the bottom of the filter, and it was sealed with rubber and a bottle cap. There is a hole in the bottle cap to allow the filtered water to drain out. The rubber hose is still not exactly attached because currently it is taped in place. The iron filings were also added on top of the fiberglass, even though they had not finished rusting. The filter was tested, but the output water ended up with more color than the input. It's predicted that the water is being colored by the fiberglass.
Week 5 Group Assessment
Group 5 Team Evaluation
Each member of the group estimated how much time put into the project so far for themselves and also the other group members. Then each member shared their results with the group in order to investigate how much time each person spent on the project on average. In general, the members of the group tended to overestimate how much time their peers had spent on the project. Other then that, the results were not surprising and gave a fairly accurate representation of the work being done by each member. Overall, the the group is aware of the contributions made by each person.
Each member of the group estimated how much time put into the project so far for themselves and also the other group members. Then each member shared their results with the group in order to investigate how much time each person spent on the project on average. In general, the members of the group tended to overestimate how much time their peers had spent on the project. Other then that, the results were not surprising and gave a fairly accurate representation of the work being done by each member. Overall, the the group is aware of the contributions made by each person.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Progress Update 4/28/13
Week Four Completed Tasks
Filter Construction
Fiberglass, rubber hose, and cap were purchased. Cap is too large for filter housing so group will find a new way to seal off the bottom. Filter is mostly assembled. Rusted filings will be added once the rusting is complete. The bottom is temporarily sealed with papertowel.
Filter Construction
Fiberglass, rubber hose, and cap were purchased. Cap is too large for filter housing so group will find a new way to seal off the bottom. Filter is mostly assembled. Rusted filings will be added once the rusting is complete. The bottom is temporarily sealed with papertowel.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Progress Update 4/25/13
Week Three Completed Tasks
Preparing for Filter Construction - Obtaining Supplies
1.5 gallons of river water obtained during class today.
http://water.weather.gov/resources/hydrographs/padp1_hg.png
Indicates no flooding or conditions that would worsen water.
Filter housing (1''x3' clear tubing), gravel, and 5.6grams of unrusted iron filings obtained today. Prerusted iron nails will no longer be used. Instead, iron filings will be rusted and placed at the top of filter. Filings will be rusted by moisturizing with water and also appling table salt. Ratio of solution not yet determined. Challenges may include separating the filings from the salt. While water can be evaporated, salt will remain.
Fiberglass insulation, rubber hose, and possibly a bottom cap will be purchased on Friday and filter will be assembled over weekend. Base and sheath to be determined.
Preparing for Filter Construction - Obtaining Supplies
1.5 gallons of river water obtained during class today.
http://water.weather.gov/resources/hydrographs/padp1_hg.png
Indicates no flooding or conditions that would worsen water.
Filter housing (1''x3' clear tubing), gravel, and 5.6grams of unrusted iron filings obtained today. Prerusted iron nails will no longer be used. Instead, iron filings will be rusted and placed at the top of filter. Filings will be rusted by moisturizing with water and also appling table salt. Ratio of solution not yet determined. Challenges may include separating the filings from the salt. While water can be evaporated, salt will remain.
Fiberglass insulation, rubber hose, and possibly a bottom cap will be purchased on Friday and filter will be assembled over weekend. Base and sheath to be determined.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Progress Update 4/14/13
Week Two Completed Tasks
Preparing for Filter Construction
We put nails in a salt water bath on this day and began researching optimal sizes and quantities for the final water filter design.
4/17 Final sizes confirmed, suppliers found - filter housing will be 3' long by 1" diameter clear aquarium tubing with an outer sheath to keep it stabilized and shielded from light. About 2 quarts of fiberglass will be needed, weight unknown, we'll use fiberglass insulation. Hydraulic loading rate for testing is 2 m/h, meaning a flow rate of ~900 ml/h, feeding is to be 1% of this and constant (outflow tube opening will be constricted to achieve this). Final quantity of nails unknown.
4/19 First signs of rust on test nails, larger quantity soaked for use in final design. Final quantity still unknown.
4/22 Water container obtained for sample collection on Thursday, 4/25. One gallon to be used by group
Preparing for Filter Construction
We put nails in a salt water bath on this day and began researching optimal sizes and quantities for the final water filter design.
4/17 Final sizes confirmed, suppliers found - filter housing will be 3' long by 1" diameter clear aquarium tubing with an outer sheath to keep it stabilized and shielded from light. About 2 quarts of fiberglass will be needed, weight unknown, we'll use fiberglass insulation. Hydraulic loading rate for testing is 2 m/h, meaning a flow rate of ~900 ml/h, feeding is to be 1% of this and constant (outflow tube opening will be constricted to achieve this). Final quantity of nails unknown.
4/19 First signs of rust on test nails, larger quantity soaked for use in final design. Final quantity still unknown.
4/22 Water container obtained for sample collection on Thursday, 4/25. One gallon to be used by group
Monday, April 15, 2013
Research Results
Bacterial Hazards
Most common bacteria: Camplyobacter
- size: minimum below .45 microns (can pass through)
- prevalence: extremely common, even in developed world
- effects: diarrhea for a week or longer, not usually lethal
- size: 1 micron (small dimension)
- prevalence: rare, but can cause epidemics
- effects: diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, shock, death, usually lethal if untreated
- size: .5 microns (small dimension)
- prevalence: extremely common, but pathogenic strains rare
- effects: haemolytic uraemic syndrome, death, deadly strains rare
- size: .5 micron (small dimension)
- prevalence: less common, mainly in children of developing countries
- effects: dysentery, death, not usually lethal
- death is rare for majority
- typically >2 microns
Chemical Hazards (removable by filtration)
Aldrin and dieldrin
- require coagulation
- chlorinated pesticides
- highly toxic
- generally requires coagulation
- can be deadly
- can be removed by bankside filtration and nanofiltration
- herbicide
- can cause reproductive and immune problems
Chlorpyrifos
- requires coagulation
- insecticide
- inhibition of cholinesterase activity
- requires coagulation
- carcinogen
DDT
- requires coagulation
- pesticide
- hazardous
Mercury
- coagulation
- from electronics, industrial waste
- highly toxic
Nickel
- coagulation
- potential allergic reaction
Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons
- coagulation
- industrial
- uranium
- coagulation
- radioactive
References
Rollins, David M. "Campylobacter Summary." Life.umd.edu. N.p., Aug. 2000. Web. 07 May 2013. <http://www.life.umd.edu/classroom/bsci424/pathogendescriptions/Campylobacter.htm>.
Formadi, Herman. "Vibrio Cholerae." Cv.vbi.vt.edu. N.p., 5 July 2007. Web. 07 May 2013. <http://ci.vbi.vt.edu/pathinfo/pathogens/V_cholerae_2.html>.
"Shigella." Cdc.gov. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 9 Feb. 2011. Web. 07 May 2013. <http://www.cdc.gov/pulsenet/pathogens_pages/shigella.htm>.
"Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality, Fourth Edition." WHO. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 May 2013. <http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/publications/2011/dwq_guidelines/en/index.html>.
Additional Research
Optimal Biofilm Growth Conditions
- higher temperature is better, as long as it is not too high to kill the microbes
- optimal hyduaulic loading ~3m/h
- *note, figures for sand filter
- **3 m/h is for testing, corresponds to ~900 ml/h flow rate
Filter Dimensions and the Use of Iron
According to one study, this group used 5kg iron nails to remove arsenic in a filter of 30'' diameter and 61 cm height. They put the iron nails in the top of the filter separated in a 'diffusion box'
Relative to our dimensions we would need ~7g scaled for radius and height. Scaled for only radius we need 6g - a study later showed the iron did not propagate very far through the filter, accounting for the full height may be unnecessary
References
Fengbing Tang, et al. "Effects of Bio-Sand Filter on Improving the Bio-Stability and Health Security of Drinking Water". Mechanic Automation and Control Engineering (MACE), 2010 International Conference on. 2010. 1878-1881. Print.
"Effects of Bio-Sand Filter on Improving the Bio-Stability and Health Security of Drinking Water". Mechanic Automation and Control Engineering (MACE), 2010 International Conference on. 2010. 1878-1881. Print.
Ngai, Tommy, and Sophie Walewijk. "THE ARSENIC BIOSAND FILTER (ABF) PROJECT: DESIGN OF AN APPROPRIATE HOUSEHOLD DRINKING WATER FILTER FOR RURAL NEPAL." N.p., 2003. Web. 8 May 2013. <http://web.mit.edu/watsan/Docs/Other%20Documents/KAF/NgaiWalewijk-%20ABF%20Report2003.pdf>.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Gantt Chart, Master Task List
Tasks to be completed:
1. Create tasks to be completed list/schedule
2. Create master task list
http://bit.ly/10OZ4Nz Gantt Chart
http://bit.ly/10P30he Master Task List
3. Update daily
1. Create tasks to be completed list/schedule
2. Create master task list
http://bit.ly/10OZ4Nz Gantt Chart
http://bit.ly/10P30he Master Task List
3. Update daily
Literature Study
Information Sought:
-fiberglass density? can biofilm grow inside if of lower density?
-filtration capability w/o biofilm
-fiberglass water retention
-iron nails + fiberglass - does the iron stick? Arsenic-removing filters*
-encourage a biofilm that's better at filtration/eating microbes
General Resources:
World Health Organization website http://www.who.int/en/
Web of Science website http://thomsonreuters.com/products_services/science/science_products/a-z/web_of_science/
Specific Resources:
Wound Fiberglass Depth Filters as a Less Expensive Approach for the Concentration of Viruses from Water
Abstract
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2843272
Article about fiberglass-based filters, reference for packing factor, pore size, etc. These cartridges specifically were used for concentration of viruses.
Citation
Payment, Pierre, and Michel Trudel. "Wound Fiberglass Depth Filters as a Less Expensive Approach for the Concentration of Viruses from Water." Canadian Journal of Microbiology 34.3 (1988): 271-72. Print.
Glass Fiber Filter
http://www.membrane-solutions.com/download/Glass_Fiber_Filter.pdf
Product spec sheet for glass fiber membranes (very thin), qualitative description of filtration ability plus mass and thickness can give us an idea of what density should be
Citation
"Glass Fiber Filter." Membrane Solutions, LLC., n.d. Web. <http://www.membrane-solutions.com/download/Glass_Fiber_Filter.pdf>.
Water safety plan manual (WSP manual): Step-by-step risk management for drinking-water suppliers
Abstract, PDF download
http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/en/
WHO, drinking water quality, links to information about potential hazardous drinking water contaminants
Citation
Water Safety Plan Manual Step-by-step Risk Management for Drinking-water Suppliers. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2009. Print.
Effects of Bio-Sand Filter on Improving the Bio-Stability and Health Security of Drinking Water
Abstract
http://bit.ly/ZlQ7gv
I'm having trouble finding articles about fiberglass filters + biofilms, this is about sand+biofilms, this may have some useful information about biofilms
Citation
Fengbing Tang, et al. "Effects of Bio-Sand Filter on Improving the Bio-Stability and Health Security of Drinking Water". Mechanic Automation and Control Engineering (MACE), 2010 International Conference on. 2010. 1878-1881. Print.
Effects of Hydraulic Loading Rate and Filter Length on the Performance of Lateral Flow Sand Filters for On-Site Waste Water Treatment
Abstract
http://ascelibrary.org/action/showAbstract?page=639&volume=16&issue=8&journalCode=jhyeff&
Citation
Wilson, Janice, Leah Boutilier, Rob Jamieson, Peter Havard, and Craig Lake. "Effects of Hydraulic Loading Rate and Filter Length on the Performance of Lateral Flow Sand Filters for On-Site Wastewater Treatment." Journal of Hydrologic Engineering 16.8 (2011): 639. Print.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Progress Update 4/10/13
Week One Completed Tasks
Literary Study and Proposal
The group assembled to write the proposal. Previous lab findings were reviewed to determine the best way to go about constructing a water filter that would be effective at removing turbidity. In addition, supplies were assessed in order to gain a rough estimate of the finances needed. Then a timeline was created to ensure that parts of the project would be completed weekly. The information gathered was combined in the proposal.
Literary Study and Proposal
The group assembled to write the proposal. Previous lab findings were reviewed to determine the best way to go about constructing a water filter that would be effective at removing turbidity. In addition, supplies were assessed in order to gain a rough estimate of the finances needed. Then a timeline was created to ensure that parts of the project would be completed weekly. The information gathered was combined in the proposal.
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