Ecieno Carmona, Mechanical Engineering
Mentor: Dr. Sesha Srinivasan
This project looks for ways to maximize the effects of UV-visible light to break down the organic contaminants in waste water. A series of 3D printed batch reactors have been designed and successfully commissioned that have act as a shield against the UV light and protect the eyes of the lab personnel. The reactor enclosure design was based on precise measurements of the various parts of the reactor and then creating a model in Solidworks, a CAD software program, which allowed the student to model the pieces needed for this project.
Another important aspect of the reactor enclosure design was the installation of a window on the side with a removable shutter, allowing one to view the waste water discoloration status during photocatalytic oxidation treatment. An acrylic lid was custom made with a laser cutter tool so that it bears the heat due to UV-Vis light source while also enabling for the water cooling and air purging plumbing lines. The design and fabrication of the batch reactor was successfully completed in-house and calibrated for photocatalytic oxidation of organic contaminants in water. (Funding for this project is supported by Florida Polytechnic University)