David Buck and Meg Fitzgerald
Abstract:
The objective of this research was to design a floc break up device to test the concept of floc break up at full-scale and improve flocculation performance of the AguaClara plant located in Atima, Honduras. Recent research suggests that using ow constrictions to break up flocs improves performance and reduces settled water turbidity. Using this hypothesis, we designed a device to cause floc break up. We used a perforated plastic sheet which constricts ow and creates many jets, which dissipate energy and break flocs. The proposed design for the prototype for Atima includes 21 orifices and an orifice diameter of 5.1 cm (2), which results in approximately 9.3 mm of head loss per device and 40% open area. We also determined that the devices should be optimally placed in the flocculator so that water flows upward through them. We plan to attach the devices between the baffles and walls of the flocculator with foam blocks. Our design can be fabricated in Honduras with locally sourced materials, so although the fabrication will require local labor, it does not rely on shipping materials from the United States. We will send our design to Drew Hart in Honduras who will fabricate the perforated plates and test them at full scale.
