Filtration Fortune Design Project Packet
Filtration Fortune Design Project Packet
Filtration Fortune
Design Project Supervisor: Avery Olinde
Objective
As the LSU Monopoly renovations are underway, Mike decides he would love
some updates to his habitat! He recommends that you and your team develop a
new water filtration system that feeds into a water feature for his enclosure.
Your objective is to obtain as much water as you can with the highest possible
purity utilizing one or several engineering separation techniques. Then your
filtered water must feed through a water feature that you have designed.
Engineering Concepts
Separation
Separation processes such as filtration are an essential part of nearly
every engineering discipline. In the chemical and petroleum industry, separation
techniques come into play for the removal of contaminants from raw materials,
as well as the recovery of primary products. Environment conservation efforts are
concerned with separating and removing pollutants from chemical waste, as well
as water purification. Your kidneys even filter up to 180 L of your plasma every
day - that's your blood volume 36 times over!
Before water is sent to your shower or sink and even ponds and fountains, it first
must be purified to remove any contaminants such as unwanted microorganisms,
fecal matter, soil, etc. Different types of purification methods include:
pH
The pH of a solution is something that has to be closely monitored as it can
impact certain chemical reactions, determine the safety of drinking water, and
can indicate certain contaminants. It is measured on a logarithmic scale from 1
(acidic) to 14 (basic) with a pH of 7 being neutral. Most systems such as most of
your body’s organs and water are maintained at a pH of 7. If a solution is
extremely acidic, the addition of a basic component can neutralize it
Fluid Flow
The flow rate of fluids depends on the fluid’s velocity and the cross sectional area
of flow (usually this means a pipe’s inner diameter). In general, the larger the
diameter of flow, the greater the flow rate.
Water systems can utilize forces such as gravity and pumps to move water and
increase the flow velocity. The ancient Romans had a complex series of
aqueducts that utilized gravity and the hilly landscape of Italy to transport fresh
water to populated areas!
You will be judged by 3-4 people including the design project leader, a group
leader, and an industry professional/faculty member.
In the event of a tie, the winner will be decided based on the team’s ability to
answer a trivia question about any of the following topics: Geaux Engineering,
SPM, or water filtration.
Please include the following in an “elevator pitch” for your water purification
project:
● Brief introduction to your team members (i.e. name, major)
● Explain the problem your project will solve - why is this project
important
● Briefly walk the judges through your projects concepts and
operations
○ If your project is incomplete, talk about your concept and
planning! This is just as important as operation
● Your pitch should be no more than 1-2 minutes
Every team’s 60 minute demonstration time will start at the same time. As the
demonstrations are all happening simultaneously, the judges will walk around to
speak with the teams and hear your elevator pitches.
This time will be used to filter your team’s bottle of contaminated water and to
circulate the water through your water feature.
You will be judged on water purity (clearness and pH) as well as design creativity,
useability, and economics.
3) Preparation to answer questions from the judges about the following topics
● Application of the engineering separation techniques used in your
project to industrial or research settings
● Safety - what precautions you took during construction and
operation of your project
● Any issues you had during design and building - how did you resolve
them?
● Budget - were you over or under? How did this affect your design?
Materials Available for Purchase in the Tiger Vault Store
Project Budget = 350
Material (Regular Price) Cost per Unit
Activated charcoal (1/2 cup) 8
Alka Seltzer Tabs 8
Aluminum foil (1 sq ft) 2.5
Aquarium rocks (1/2 cup) 8
Baking Soda (1/2 cup) 8
Binder Clip 2
Cardboard (4 sq ft) 10
Cheese cloth 2.5
Circulation pump (1 per team) 24
Clothes Pins 1
Corks 1
Cotton balls (1 cup) 10
Coffee filters 1
Cups 3
Cup lids 2
Duct Tape (1ft) 4
Felt square (1 sq ft) 2.5
Fishing line (1 ft) 3
Florist foam 15
Funnels (any size) 10
Mesh (1 sq ft) 2.5
Miniature plants 3
Miniature sea creatures 4
Popsicle sticks 1
Plastic bags 1
Plastic bowls 10
PVC connectors 3
0.5" PVC Pipes (1ft) 12
Rubber bands 1
Straws (boba) 2
Straws (regular) 1
String (1ft) 4
Spoons 1
Vinyl tubing (1ft) 8
Small water bottles 5
Medium water bottles (0.5 L) 10
Large water bottles (2 L) 15
Wooden dowels 7
Wood shavings (1 cup) 10