November 18-22

[kcf29]

This past week, UASB began testing of the first reactor, made progress on installment of the second reactor and began construction of the third reactor.

Testing indicated that the first reactor is likely still in the startup period. Literature review is being conducted in order to gain a better understanding of startup lengths and to propose methods of decreasing startup length.

The second reactor underwent water testing. A leak in the bottom of the influent line was reduced however not eliminated. A video will be attached to this issue to show where exactly the leak is in order to be fixed next week.

Monroe has requested we obtain a video of internal movement of the sludge following pulsated flow. A video was sent to him however he was looking for a longer, maybe 10 min, video of the sludge movement. Attached below are the questions he has which should be able to be deduced in the next video we take:

Does the sludge settle back down as one solid chunk or does it break up? Do you notice any jetting action at one location above the sludge where water is flowing quickly out of the sludge?
I'd also expect that you could get video of what happens at the bottom of the sludge bed. I think we'd also need video showing the entire top of the sludge bed so we can see if there are any locations where there is preferential flow.
-Monroe

Construction of the third reactor has begun. The team leads informed us that we cannot use the lab space after December 8th so we need to consider whether we can finish construction and move the third reactor to the plant before then. As we drilled holes in the reactor that are too large, we are awaiting new parts to arrive which will correct issues associated with the larger cutouts in the reactor.

The team will finish all literature review assigned by Ruth this Sunday and conduct a discussion of findings.

Thanks to everyone for all your hard work this week. It was a busy one!