Define a Problem:
The Gantt chart below was made to organize everyday's work to help the team stay focus and on task to finish the project on time.
The team responsibilities are to brainstorm the materials and look of the filter, then go ahead and make individual sketches. That will later on be collaborated on to a final design. The team will need to purchase the material and assemble the full filter. Final provide a conclusion for the data of the filter and reflect on our work.
Brainstorm:
Research and Generate Ideas:
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/299419075205199172/
Advantages are it is easy to make, you can make it anywhere, affordable, portable.
Disadvantages are that is not the most efficient, time consuming, fragile to handle, and you can only use it a limited amount of times. |
http://www.watersoftenercritic.com/faucet-water-filter-reviews/
Advantages are that you get clean drinkable water at home without buying it, it looks good, very efficient, lasts long, and has a large output of clean water.
Disadvantages are that it is not portable since it has to be connected to a faucet, it is expensive to buy, and it might take to much room in the kitchen sink to do other chores like wash the dishes. |
http://www.waterfiltersonline.com/
Advantages are that this system is super effective and quick. It processes a large output of water instantaneously and also will last the user a very long time.
Disadvantages are that it takes up a big amount of space, most users wont need this high end of a filter, it costs a fortune to buy and install, and it makes more noise than you prefer. |
Explore Possibilities:
Select an Approach:
Develop A Design Proposal:
Make A Model Or Prototype:
Test and Evaluate:
Turbidity: 404.2 NTU
What I found out is that the prototype is no where near 50 NTU. When I looked at our design, I took a second look at the sand. The sand we got from masonry was super fine and I thought that's what caused the water to be blurry. SO from there we made a second prototype but this time without the sand. Along with that I decided to rearrange the levels to have charcoal and pebbles at the bottom of the funnel instead of the top. When we tested it again we found a significant difference as it went down to 39.1 NTU. Obviously our changes worked.
What I found out is that the prototype is no where near 50 NTU. When I looked at our design, I took a second look at the sand. The sand we got from masonry was super fine and I thought that's what caused the water to be blurry. SO from there we made a second prototype but this time without the sand. Along with that I decided to rearrange the levels to have charcoal and pebbles at the bottom of the funnel instead of the top. When we tested it again we found a significant difference as it went down to 39.1 NTU. Obviously our changes worked.
Refine The Design:
So what had happened with our project. We went ahead and built the prototype before testing any of the materials. So when we got the prototype below 50 NTU me and Cade thought we were done. However once seeing that charcoal alone filters it down to 10.4 NTU, we immediately thought to just add one material to the charcoal and see if that'll work for the final design. Since we needed a special material. From there we took the funnel with charcoal in it and added a different material to it each time. First e tried charcoal and pebbles which brought it to about 32 NTU, next revision was to use charcoal and steel wool. When we did that it brought it up to 73 NTU, at this point Cade and I were wondering if we should just stop there before we mess everything up. However we tried one last time with charcoal and cotton, which was our best try yet at about 10.8 NTU. So our final design came to a basic 3 level filter with a coffee filter, charcoal, and some cotton. Even though we back tracked a little through this revision it turned out to be worth it as it remains at 10.8 NTU.
PowerPoint:
Conclusion:
The fact that I had to take a pitcher of dirty water, pour it through everyday materials and filter was very unique. It was the first time ever I tried to filter water, and by the end of it I actually enjoyed this project. Being partnered with cade was a nice start because we are already close as friends so our team chemistry was outstanding. We listened to each others thoughts, help revised each others idea, and communicated very well every day which in result we got work done quickly. What we basically did was divide the work right in half, each of us both thought of ideas to use, designs to use, we both helped test materials, and as a team we meet all the criteria. What I learned most which kind of shocked me was that despite it leaving black stains everywhere, charcoal is a very good water filter. No wonder they use them in fish tanks. What I also learned was anything below 50 NTU is drinkable by human disregarding the fact it might taste horrible. Along with that I learned that if I were in a life or death situation or stuck in the desert, my prior knowledge thanks to this project would help me from dehydration/death. What I would've done differently next time is that i would've followed the design process in order. Me and Cade started the final design without testing the materials. Which backfired because when we tested the materials we found a much simpler and more efficient final design, so that set us back a little. What I suggest for next years class is to make it so that not every has the same set up. In class everyone used a bottle with material in it. Maybe next year kids could use different platforms and materials, or maybe step it up and make the filters motorized. I personally think it would be a good challenge to take up. Overall I loved this challenge it was nice, short, and a little challenging.