This work presents an interactive simulation software package for delivering an environmental engineering design project. The primary goal of the effort is to supplement theory-based course content with a complex and relevant design project, and to do so without increasing student course loads or placing excessive time demands on instructors. An additional goal for research-based instructors is to provide an efficient mechanism for infusing current research findings and experimental techniques into the curriculum. The software that administers the design project is called Interactive Site Investigation Software (ISIS). This paper summarizes the rationale for the development of ISIS, outlines the instructor-generated input required by ISIS, and details current ISIS features. These features allow students to drill boreholes, collect core samples, construct wells, collect groundwater samples, submit samples for laboratory analysis, and execute hydraulic and transport experiments at a virtual hazardous waste site. Initial feedback on the usability and usefulness of ISIS was generally positive, and the automated data requisition and dispensation substantially reduced the project's administrative demands on the instructor. Common student complaints pertained to controlled access to the software in the face of deadline pressure, uncertain expectations regarding their work product, and the need for real-time advice.
The size of the filters used in a water treatment pilot study has a big impact on the cost of the pilot facility itself. It has been shown that errors can be avoided by maintaining an adequate ratio between filter column diameter and media diameter (D/d). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of this same scaleup parameter on the filtration process itself. Five pilot‐filter columns were operated in parallel with a full‐scale filter. In these tests, (D/d) ranged from 26:1 for the smallest column to 6,000:1 for the full‐scale filter. No significant differences were observed in the mean rate of head loss buildup, the effluent turbidity, or the effluent particle count for any of the filters, although the variance in the estimate of rate of head buildup was much greater for the smallest filter. A D/d ratio of 50 or greater is recommended for most pilot‐filter operations.
Core sampling filter media can be a difficult and time‐consuming task if a large amount of media must be removed. However, “wet‐or‐dry” vacuum cleaners can reduce the time and effort spent. This technique was developed in the process of obtaining core samples of anthracite coal from a full‐scale filter bed for a pilot‐plant project.
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