Instrumentation of environment lab filter columns, settling tanks and flocculators

Abstract

This project was focused on the installation of three water purification systems in the environmental lab of the University of Waikato. Each system consists of a flocculator, a settling tank(clarifier) and a filtration column. The settling tanks were different from each other, one conventional, one laminar and one hopper-bottom clarifier. The systems were then to be linked with instrumentation to measure and control the purification process in Arduino. The instrumentation included • One flowmeter • Two pH meters • Two Turbidity sensors • One zeta potential meter Turbidity meters at the inlet to the coagulation and flocculation system, after the coagulation and flocculation, after the clarifiers and after the filters. The instrumentation was also required to log their reading so students could collect and analyse the data. The instruments required for the project were purchased with a budget. Prior to the purchase, a list of all items to be purchased was made with comparison on the specification as well as the price. A P&ID diagram was made showing the schematic relations between instruments and the equipment. Once installation of the system was complete, calibration of the sensors were conducted before the runs of the system, whereupon data was collected and analysed.