This week we tested the 0.5mm (3 pieces of black tape) influent device and were able to use a lower flow rate than with the 1.8 mm device. However, the highest setting on the peristaltic pump still did not supply enough pressure to get a good spray from the device outlet. So we decided to set up the device so the blue water line fills a cylinder with water which creates a high pressure flow out the bottom of the cylinder. Then tubing connects the bottom of the cylinder to the device with a valve in between to regulate the flow rate.
We also glued the small metal rods into the plastic backing of the bench-top model with spray superglue and glued 11 beads onto each rod. The subteam discussed ways to make an influent system where we could vary the height of the spray opening without remaking the entire device and looked into 3D printing. We decided to 3D print a device to regulate the spray and made a CAD design with an opening for spray that is 0.02" by 1".
Some goals for the next couple of weeks include testing the 3D printed device, setting up the string matrix on the model, and thinking about ways to design a completely enclosed system. We might also revisit the capillary action experiments.
This week we tested the 0.5mm (3 pieces of black tape) influent device and were able to use a lower flow rate than with the 1.8 mm device. However, the highest setting on the peristaltic pump still did not supply enough pressure to get a good spray from the device outlet. So we decided to set up the device so the blue water line fills a cylinder with water which creates a high pressure flow out the bottom of the cylinder. Then tubing connects the bottom of the cylinder to the device with a valve in between to regulate the flow rate.
We also glued the small metal rods into the plastic backing of the bench-top model with spray superglue and glued 11 beads onto each rod. The subteam discussed ways to make an influent system where we could vary the height of the spray opening without remaking the entire device and looked into 3D printing. We decided to 3D print a device to regulate the spray and made a CAD design with an opening for spray that is 0.02" by 1".
Some goals for the next couple of weeks include testing the 3D printed device, setting up the string matrix on the model, and thinking about ways to design a completely enclosed system. We might also revisit the capillary action experiments.