The research, development, and design project courses specific to AguaClara are focused on developing technology that can be used to improve the drinking water quality of surface water sources in Honduras. The project is structured to allow students with different levels of expertise to collaborate, share knowledge, and create new knowledge. Because the need for clean water is urgent and the cost of implementing the technology is minimal, the development effort includes multiple tracks.
The project tasks evolve from semester to semester as we develop sustainable water treatment technologies. We maintain a website as an active repository of what we are learning to help transfer knowledge from semester to semester. We also encourage students to participate in the project for multiple semesters so there is enough continuity of team members to aid in the transfer of knowledge from semester to semester.
Current examples of project tasks include:
detailed design of appurtenances for a water treatment plant in Honduras that will be constructed later this semester
pH control using a hydraulic lime suspension feeder
creating an alternative protocol to jar testing that is faster and does not require the expensive electric apparatus
developing an improved chlorination technique to deliver a reliable dose using either granular or tablet calcium hypochlorite
optimizing a tube flocculator design through determining: maximum shear before floc breakup occurs, Gθ, and optimal pipe diameter
pilot plant design, fabrication, and operation (for demonstration purposes to test all technology elements including alum feed, chlorinator, pH control, flocculation, and sedimentation)
cost analysis
quantifying community requirements prior to designing a treatment plant by developing a minimum data set that we will recommend be collected from communities before building water treatment plants
exploring methods of transferring technology and what we are learning to Honduran partners, and developing collaboration with Honduran Universities
Webmaster:
J. Capurso & M. Weber-Shirk
Copyright © 2007 AguaClara | All Rights Reserved