Water Filter Project
Define a Problem
Team responsibilities
Kyle- Gather materials , begin constructing prototype and test materials
Charlie- Documentation, weebly, and research
Together- Gantt chart, design brief, brainstorming, testing of materials, decision matrix, test prototype, revisions
Kyle- Gather materials , begin constructing prototype and test materials
Charlie- Documentation, weebly, and research
Together- Gantt chart, design brief, brainstorming, testing of materials, decision matrix, test prototype, revisions
Brainstorm
Research and Generate Ideas
http://all-about-water-filters.com/top-easiest-diy-water-filters-you-can-make-at-home/
https://lifehacker.com/make-a-water-filter-out-of-a-tree-branch-1636945955
https://home-made-water-distiller-diy-water-filter/diy//.com
The advantage of the biofilter is it is quick and easy and made of mostly organic materials so it can be made almost anywhere
Cons of the bio filter include not cleaning water all the way and
Pros of the tree branch water filter
https://lifehacker.com/make-a-water-filter-out-of-a-tree-branch-1636945955
https://home-made-water-distiller-diy-water-filter/diy//.com
The advantage of the biofilter is it is quick and easy and made of mostly organic materials so it can be made almost anywhere
Cons of the bio filter include not cleaning water all the way and
Pros of the tree branch water filter
Explore Possibilities
Select an Approach
Design Proposal
Prototype
Testing
When we created the original prototype we used a paper towels and shredded nylon. It filtered some of the dirt out but was nowhere close to bein gin the acceptable range. Instead of giving up on the idea we decided to add a coffee filter to the bottom the turbidly went from 120 NTU to 80.5 NTU which gave us hope for the idea. After that we tried a tissues which lowered it into the acceptable range but we wanted better so we combined all of those materials to come up with our final prototype with a turbidity value of 25.2 NTU.
Refine the Design
We started out our project thinking we were going to use a bio filter where we would have had a water bottle with stones then sand and then charcoal to filter the water. But that idea went out the window when we figured out that all the materials chosen by another group couldn't be used in our final design. So moving on we tested several other materials and then we came up with the brilliant idea of paper towels. after testing the paper towels we determined that they would work but they needed something else. after 5 trials we came up with a prototype including a Gatorade bottle with a small hole in the lid. then we packed it full of paper towels tissues coffee filters and nylon and we got the turbidity value to 25.5 which met the requirements and we were satisfied with. But after certain materials got taken we almost had to restart the design process because we needed to brainstorm research and test new ideas.
Conclusion
The Water Filter Project was definitely a very challenging project however Charlie and I did a good job overcoming all of the challenges and completing the project. By not being able to use certain items such as sand and charcoal and other items that different groups were using made it very difficult to come up with a unique that would filter the dirty water. However Charlie and I brainstormed and came up with the idea to use paper towels and tissues and they work great. Charlie and I also did a nice job of dividing up the work between us so we each had equal parts in this project. If I was to do this project again however I would be sure to research the perfect material and use that as the unique material before any other group called it. Overall I think the project was challenging and forced use to be creative and the only thing I would change would be just to have a little bit more time to complete the project so we can brainstorm and test other materials.