Improving the Performance of Drinking Water Filters for Developing Countries
Department
Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
Major
Environmental Engineering / Biological Sciences
Research Advisor
Oerther, Daniel B.
Advisor's Department
Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
Funding Source
John A. and Susan Mathes Chair
Abstract
According to the United Nations, approximately 1/6th of the worlds population lacks access to adequate drinking water supplies resulting in 2.2 million deaths annually. Biosand filtration has been shown in laboratory and field studies to be a cost effective means of improving the microbiological quality of drinking water in developing countries. Unfortunately, in the poorest regions the costs to construct biosand filters remains prohibitive due to the lack of appropriate building materials needed to construct a sand bed with a minimum height of 46 cm. The purpose of this project is to explore alternative designs for biosand filters that effectively utilize the available resources in the poorest regions to improve access to safe drinking water. Fluid modeling was used to analyze potential modifications and experimental models were used to test concepts.
Biography
Alexander is an Environmental Engineering junior at Missouri S&T. He attended Fulton High School and is expecting to graduate from Missouri S&T in spring of 2014. Alex has been involved in several organizations, including leadership positions in Kappa Mu Epsilon, Phi Eta Sigma, and Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He plans on attending graduate school after obtaining his Bachelor’s degree.
Research Category
Engineering
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Location
Upper Atrium/Hallway
Presentation Date
10 Apr 2012, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Improving the Performance of Drinking Water Filters for Developing Countries
Upper Atrium/Hallway
According to the United Nations, approximately 1/6th of the worlds population lacks access to adequate drinking water supplies resulting in 2.2 million deaths annually. Biosand filtration has been shown in laboratory and field studies to be a cost effective means of improving the microbiological quality of drinking water in developing countries. Unfortunately, in the poorest regions the costs to construct biosand filters remains prohibitive due to the lack of appropriate building materials needed to construct a sand bed with a minimum height of 46 cm. The purpose of this project is to explore alternative designs for biosand filters that effectively utilize the available resources in the poorest regions to improve access to safe drinking water. Fluid modeling was used to analyze potential modifications and experimental models were used to test concepts.
