Environmental
Last Update 4/1/2019
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We have added a Captain's Meeting on Wednesday night (see question 23 for more information)
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We have added a Captain's Meeting on Wednesday night (see question 23 for more information)
1. Is there a list of the exact items (name/brand) that will be used to make the solution at the competition?
We prefer to not give specific brands this year, but do acknowledge that there are varying concentrations between options. Any traditional brand from a common retailer (ex. Costco, Target) will be acceptable. Also follow the below modifications for help when purchasing:
Topsoil: Any commercial topsoil is acceptable; as long as it is free of fertilizers, animal or food wastes, or biosolids. Ideally, it will have an organic composition between 10-15%, sand < 70%, silt < 70%, and clay < 30%.
Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil
Distilled White Vinegar: 5% acidity
Ferrous Sulfate Granules: Ferrous Sulfate Heptahydrate (Crystalline/Certified ACS) from Fisher Chemical
2. Will there be any restrictions of coagulants or chemicals?
We are not restricting any chemical or chemical process. Teams are free to use coagulants if that is what the team decides to do.
3. For the scoring of the rate of treatment, do teams receive more points for treating more than 5 gallons in the allotted 20 minutes or does the collection score end once 5 gallons is achieved?
The collection cuts off once 5 gallons is achieved. However, the faster a team reaches 5 gallons, the more points they will earn. For example, a team who treats 5 gallons in 15 minutes will score higher than a team who treats 5 gallons in 20 minutes.
4. For the 24 hour period after the contaminated water is mixed, will the 5-gallon buckets sit opened or covered?
The 5-gallon buckets will be left open for the 24-hour period after the contaminated water is mixed.
5. For the following phrase "Ten minutes for teams to load their system...In which 2 operators from each team may add any treatment chemicals to their effluent." Is there any form of decanting/separation/pouring between buckets allowed during this 10-minute period?
There will not be any way to decant/separate/pour between buckets during the loading phase because the 5-gallon buckets will be almost completely full of the contaminated water. However, teams may add chemical constituents to the effluent bucket during the loading phase.
6. Do we need a poster to place beside our construction area? If not, could we still have a poster beside our construction area?
This year, we decided to omit the poster requirement from the competition and allow a Project Manager to join the team in answering the judge's questions. In a sense, the Project Manager is like a living poster - they should know everything about the project and be able to explain the design in detail. Additionally, we are striving for sustainability by reducing materials and ease of transport for each team so they do not need to carry around a poster and stand. Therefore, to keep the competition fair and even, we will not be allowing posters this year.
7. Will tap water or distilled water be used to fill the 5-gallon buckets?
Tap water (most likely from a hose) will be used to fill the two 5-gallon buckets.
8. Instead of pouring between buckets, are we allowed to hand pour the 5-gallon contaminated water bucket into a different bucket or into our treatment system by using plastic cups?
No, you must pour the 5-gallon buckets directly into your filtration system. There are no additional buckets or cups allowed outside of your constructed treatment system.
9. Can you clarify what you mean by "Treatment systems must be designed to allow for a Home Depot-size, 5-gallon bucket to fit below the filter?" Are we allowed to have our own collection basin? Can we pour the treated water in the collection basin into the Home Depot 5-gallon bucket after the treatment?
We will be providing the collection basin for each team, which will be a Home Depot 5-gallon bucket. You do not need to bring your own collection basin, nor will you be allowed to use your own since we are providing them. Make sure your treatment system is designed to allow for the bucket to fit below the system.
10. Is the use of pumps (battery powered) allowed in the filtration system?
Yes, battery-powered pumps are allowed in the treatment system. They cannot be electrical/requiring an outlet, but they can be battery-powered. Keep in mind that the lower the scale-up cost of your system, the more points you will receive for the "Cost of Treatment System" section.
11. When we pour the solution into our system, do we have to pour all in at once? Do we need to pour all 10 gallons that we will be given?
You do not need to pour all 10 gallons into your system at once, nor do you necessarily need to pour all 10 gallons. However, your treatment time is factored into the scoring for your "Rate of Treatment," and once you successfully treat 5 gallons (5-gallon effluent bucket is full), the stopwatch will stop. Therefore, you want to achieve 5 treated gallons as soon as possible.
12. Can we add anything else to our effluent (such as weights) during the loading phase, or is it only exclusive to chemicals? Can we have chemicals in our treatment system?
Per the rules: "At a designated start time, the 10-minute loading period will begin, in which only 2 operators from each team may add any treatment chemicals to their effluent" (under "Treatment Phase" subheading under "7. Construction and Loading"). You can add only treatment chemicals to the effluent basin. However, you can have chemicals in your treatment system, which you will need to add during the construction phase. You may not add additional chemicals to your treatment system during the loading phase; only the effluent basin can be added to during the loading phase.
13. Are we allowed to add chemicals in the form of aqueous solutions? Or would they have to be strictly solids (water-free) so that we do not add any water volume to the system?
Since part of your treatment score will be determined by the volume of treated water you achieve, you may not add chemicals in the form of aqueous solutions to any part of your treatment system, including the effluent bucket. Chemicals must only be added in solid form. (Please see revision for FAQ #14.)
14. We were planning to add 80 mL of a liquid chemical to the effluent basin. Is this chemical not allowed for the competition then since it is a liquid? Could we collect an additional 80 mL of water past 5 gallons to make up for the 80 mL displaced by the liquid chemical?
(Revision from FAQ #13.) We will allow you to add the 80 mL of the liquid chemical, but we will collect the first 80 mL of water your treatment system produces in a graduated cylinder to offset the liquid chemical addition.
15. The rules state that the design report must include a discussion of the capital cost of the system, specifically the total cost to construct the demonstration treatment unit and estimated scale-up costs. Would this capital cost include the construction tools used to build the demonstration treatment unit?
The capital costs do not need to include the construction tools used to build either the demonstration treatment system or the scaled-up system.
16. For the estimation of the project scale up costs, should we base our estimations on the exact units and materials used for the demonstration treatment unit or can we make our estimations based on an adjusted treatment train for industrial use (ex. powered pumps for chemical delivery or high-tech technologies such as RO units)?
For this competition, the intent is that your small-scale design would mimic your full-scale design in terms of materials and treatment technology. A pump may be acceptable for scale-up, but RO is a different technology that doesn't support the goal of the competition.
17. I understand that we are allowed to add chemicals and stir during the loading phase, but are we allowed to touch/move any part of our treatment system as well?
You are not allowed to touch, move, or adjust any part of your treatment system after the construction period ends. Once the loading phase begins, you are only allowed to pour it into your system without physically utilizing or adjusting your system.
18. Are there any restrictions on water purifying powders?
No, there are no restrictions on water purifying powders.
19. Are we allowed to decorate our filter materials before the competition?
You are allowed to decorate your filter materials before the competition, as long as the decorations do not contribute to the functionality of the materials. Otherwise, this may be considered pre-assembled.
20. If we add paint or any type of decorative piece to the water treatment system, would that be included in the cost?
If the paint is purely decorative, then it does not need to count towards your overall cost. However, if the paint serves a purpose, such as waterproofing part of your system, then it does need to be counted.
21. Are we allowed to place the collection basin under the system after we pour the 5- gallon mixture into our system? Also, is there any restriction where we can have three people pouring the 5-gallon mixture into the system?
The collection basin must be placed under your system during the construction phase of the competition, not after. It is considered part of the treatment system and therefore must be placed during construction. You cannot adjust or otherwise touch your filter after loading has commenced.
22. Can we have pre-cut tapes?
The tape will not be on the system. You are allowed to pre-cut materials, so tape would count in that category. You may bring it to the competition pre-cut.
23. Will there be a captain’s meeting for the Environmental Design project this year?
There will be a captain's meeting this year; it was accidentally left out of the program, but it has since been updated. The captain's meeting for this year is on Wednesday, April 3rd at 8 PM in Building 13, Room 118. The Project Manager must attend this meeting, as well as any other team captain or advisor who would like to attend with them. Please make sure at least 1 representative is present at the meeting.
We prefer to not give specific brands this year, but do acknowledge that there are varying concentrations between options. Any traditional brand from a common retailer (ex. Costco, Target) will be acceptable. Also follow the below modifications for help when purchasing:
Topsoil: Any commercial topsoil is acceptable; as long as it is free of fertilizers, animal or food wastes, or biosolids. Ideally, it will have an organic composition between 10-15%, sand < 70%, silt < 70%, and clay < 30%.
Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil
Distilled White Vinegar: 5% acidity
Ferrous Sulfate Granules: Ferrous Sulfate Heptahydrate (Crystalline/Certified ACS) from Fisher Chemical
2. Will there be any restrictions of coagulants or chemicals?
We are not restricting any chemical or chemical process. Teams are free to use coagulants if that is what the team decides to do.
3. For the scoring of the rate of treatment, do teams receive more points for treating more than 5 gallons in the allotted 20 minutes or does the collection score end once 5 gallons is achieved?
The collection cuts off once 5 gallons is achieved. However, the faster a team reaches 5 gallons, the more points they will earn. For example, a team who treats 5 gallons in 15 minutes will score higher than a team who treats 5 gallons in 20 minutes.
4. For the 24 hour period after the contaminated water is mixed, will the 5-gallon buckets sit opened or covered?
The 5-gallon buckets will be left open for the 24-hour period after the contaminated water is mixed.
5. For the following phrase "Ten minutes for teams to load their system...In which 2 operators from each team may add any treatment chemicals to their effluent." Is there any form of decanting/separation/pouring between buckets allowed during this 10-minute period?
There will not be any way to decant/separate/pour between buckets during the loading phase because the 5-gallon buckets will be almost completely full of the contaminated water. However, teams may add chemical constituents to the effluent bucket during the loading phase.
6. Do we need a poster to place beside our construction area? If not, could we still have a poster beside our construction area?
This year, we decided to omit the poster requirement from the competition and allow a Project Manager to join the team in answering the judge's questions. In a sense, the Project Manager is like a living poster - they should know everything about the project and be able to explain the design in detail. Additionally, we are striving for sustainability by reducing materials and ease of transport for each team so they do not need to carry around a poster and stand. Therefore, to keep the competition fair and even, we will not be allowing posters this year.
7. Will tap water or distilled water be used to fill the 5-gallon buckets?
Tap water (most likely from a hose) will be used to fill the two 5-gallon buckets.
8. Instead of pouring between buckets, are we allowed to hand pour the 5-gallon contaminated water bucket into a different bucket or into our treatment system by using plastic cups?
No, you must pour the 5-gallon buckets directly into your filtration system. There are no additional buckets or cups allowed outside of your constructed treatment system.
9. Can you clarify what you mean by "Treatment systems must be designed to allow for a Home Depot-size, 5-gallon bucket to fit below the filter?" Are we allowed to have our own collection basin? Can we pour the treated water in the collection basin into the Home Depot 5-gallon bucket after the treatment?
We will be providing the collection basin for each team, which will be a Home Depot 5-gallon bucket. You do not need to bring your own collection basin, nor will you be allowed to use your own since we are providing them. Make sure your treatment system is designed to allow for the bucket to fit below the system.
10. Is the use of pumps (battery powered) allowed in the filtration system?
Yes, battery-powered pumps are allowed in the treatment system. They cannot be electrical/requiring an outlet, but they can be battery-powered. Keep in mind that the lower the scale-up cost of your system, the more points you will receive for the "Cost of Treatment System" section.
11. When we pour the solution into our system, do we have to pour all in at once? Do we need to pour all 10 gallons that we will be given?
You do not need to pour all 10 gallons into your system at once, nor do you necessarily need to pour all 10 gallons. However, your treatment time is factored into the scoring for your "Rate of Treatment," and once you successfully treat 5 gallons (5-gallon effluent bucket is full), the stopwatch will stop. Therefore, you want to achieve 5 treated gallons as soon as possible.
12. Can we add anything else to our effluent (such as weights) during the loading phase, or is it only exclusive to chemicals? Can we have chemicals in our treatment system?
Per the rules: "At a designated start time, the 10-minute loading period will begin, in which only 2 operators from each team may add any treatment chemicals to their effluent" (under "Treatment Phase" subheading under "7. Construction and Loading"). You can add only treatment chemicals to the effluent basin. However, you can have chemicals in your treatment system, which you will need to add during the construction phase. You may not add additional chemicals to your treatment system during the loading phase; only the effluent basin can be added to during the loading phase.
13. Are we allowed to add chemicals in the form of aqueous solutions? Or would they have to be strictly solids (water-free) so that we do not add any water volume to the system?
Since part of your treatment score will be determined by the volume of treated water you achieve, you may not add chemicals in the form of aqueous solutions to any part of your treatment system, including the effluent bucket. Chemicals must only be added in solid form. (Please see revision for FAQ #14.)
14. We were planning to add 80 mL of a liquid chemical to the effluent basin. Is this chemical not allowed for the competition then since it is a liquid? Could we collect an additional 80 mL of water past 5 gallons to make up for the 80 mL displaced by the liquid chemical?
(Revision from FAQ #13.) We will allow you to add the 80 mL of the liquid chemical, but we will collect the first 80 mL of water your treatment system produces in a graduated cylinder to offset the liquid chemical addition.
15. The rules state that the design report must include a discussion of the capital cost of the system, specifically the total cost to construct the demonstration treatment unit and estimated scale-up costs. Would this capital cost include the construction tools used to build the demonstration treatment unit?
The capital costs do not need to include the construction tools used to build either the demonstration treatment system or the scaled-up system.
16. For the estimation of the project scale up costs, should we base our estimations on the exact units and materials used for the demonstration treatment unit or can we make our estimations based on an adjusted treatment train for industrial use (ex. powered pumps for chemical delivery or high-tech technologies such as RO units)?
For this competition, the intent is that your small-scale design would mimic your full-scale design in terms of materials and treatment technology. A pump may be acceptable for scale-up, but RO is a different technology that doesn't support the goal of the competition.
17. I understand that we are allowed to add chemicals and stir during the loading phase, but are we allowed to touch/move any part of our treatment system as well?
You are not allowed to touch, move, or adjust any part of your treatment system after the construction period ends. Once the loading phase begins, you are only allowed to pour it into your system without physically utilizing or adjusting your system.
18. Are there any restrictions on water purifying powders?
No, there are no restrictions on water purifying powders.
19. Are we allowed to decorate our filter materials before the competition?
You are allowed to decorate your filter materials before the competition, as long as the decorations do not contribute to the functionality of the materials. Otherwise, this may be considered pre-assembled.
20. If we add paint or any type of decorative piece to the water treatment system, would that be included in the cost?
If the paint is purely decorative, then it does not need to count towards your overall cost. However, if the paint serves a purpose, such as waterproofing part of your system, then it does need to be counted.
21. Are we allowed to place the collection basin under the system after we pour the 5- gallon mixture into our system? Also, is there any restriction where we can have three people pouring the 5-gallon mixture into the system?
The collection basin must be placed under your system during the construction phase of the competition, not after. It is considered part of the treatment system and therefore must be placed during construction. You cannot adjust or otherwise touch your filter after loading has commenced.
22. Can we have pre-cut tapes?
The tape will not be on the system. You are allowed to pre-cut materials, so tape would count in that category. You may bring it to the competition pre-cut.
23. Will there be a captain’s meeting for the Environmental Design project this year?
There will be a captain's meeting this year; it was accidentally left out of the program, but it has since been updated. The captain's meeting for this year is on Wednesday, April 3rd at 8 PM in Building 13, Room 118. The Project Manager must attend this meeting, as well as any other team captain or advisor who would like to attend with them. Please make sure at least 1 representative is present at the meeting.