UASB - Summer 2019

Nina Blahut, Shania Fang, Emily Liu, Kanha Matai, Cara Smith

Abstract:

Since the spring of 2017, the AguaClara Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) team has been working on a the design and fabrication of a pilot-scale UASB reactor. An UASB reactor is a form of primary wastewater treatment that uses anaerobic digestion to treat the wastewater. The team has created Python code and various CAD models to record the design process and the calculations behind the reactor.

In the summer of 2019, the team will be fabricating six UASB reactors at the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility for testing and data collection.

UASB - Spring 2019

Cara Smith, Rafael Heryapriadi, and Jahin Aishee

Abstract:

For the past two years, the AguaClara Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket Team, also known has UASB, has been in the works of designing and fabricating a pilot-scale Upflow Anaerboic Sludge Blanket reactor, a system which treats wastewater via anaerobic digestion, producing biogas in the process. UASB's design is completely gravity-powered and is a low cost solution to treating wastewater in rural communities that cannot afford typical wastewater treatment plants.

This semester, the UASB Team divided into the two sister teams of UASB Research (UASB-R) and UASB Design (UASB-D). UASB-R is focused on benchtop testing of a model UASB, researching ways to increase the reactor's efficiency, and test out designs in lab before being implemented by UASB Design.

Humic Acid, Kaolin, Floc/Sed Model - Spring 2019

Matthew Lee, Walter Guardado, Carolyn Wang

Abstract:

This semester, samples of HA at 5 mg/L, 10 mg/L and 15 mg/L and concentrations of clay at 10 NTU, 100 NTU and 100 NTU are tested separately to find the respective absorbances. The individual absorbances recorded are used to compare with the mixture of different concentrations of clay and HA to find the additive aspects of the mixture. The results of these tests will investigate how absorbance and spectrophotometry can be used to quantify the concentrations of humic acid and clay in water mixtures. A mathematical model that relates the concentrations of clay and humic acid to the stream's absorbance and turbidity will be developed. This model will increase the capabilities of AguaClara plants and technology in measuring the dirtiness of nearby water sources. The model will also give insight on how efficient and effective current processes are in removing humic acid from water

Humic Acid, Floc/Sed Model - Fall 2019

Lawrence Li, Maya Shanti, Carolyn Wang

Abstract:

The Fall 2019 Humic acid subteam seeks explore the relationship between optimal coagulant dosages and effluent absorbance. Past teams have tested optimal concentration for removing HA. Based on previous work, the optimal coagulant concentration appears naround 1.5 mg/L. For this semester, the team plans to test more coagulant concentrations and humic acid concentration and find the optimal dosage to lower the absorbance of the effluence. The AccuView spectrophotometer will be used to measure the effluent absorbance and measure the efficiency of removing color. The concentrations of HA and coagulant is set based on the data collected from water plants.

Fluoride Removal - Summer 2019

Fluoride Auto - Cindy Jin, Melissa Louie, Mike Rees

Abstract:

The Summer 2019 Fluoride team investigated issues related to the Automated and Gravity systems, with the goal of determining ideal conditions for removing fluoride. Initial qualitative tests prompted fabrication changes, such as an increase in the plate settler angle in the sedimentation tube. Jar testing was also done to examine if a floc blanket is needed for fluoride removal. Several changes in the sedimentation tube were tested to develop an optimal system for fluoride removal. Fluoride concentrations were measured with an ion electrode to determine removal efficiency and to continue developing the Langmuir Adsorption Isotherm model.