Project Description
The objective of this research is to downscale the current prototype laboratory column flow-through device for teaching groundwater flow and solute transport, a.k.a., The Milwaukee Column. The current prototype is working well but it is too large in size; it needs to fit inside a briefcase for better ease of shipping and to better suit space limitations at the laboratory/teaching benchtop. This can be achieved methodologically by simply decreasing the size of the fluid reservoirs from 5 liters to 1 liters or less and by decreasing the length of the column from 1 foot to 0.5 feet; once this is done, more tests must be run to ensure mass balance is achieved, Darcy's Law is obeyed (laminar flow), and that a single test can be performed within a 3-hour time limit (typical length of a lab teaching session).
Tasks and Responsibilites
The student will have the following tasks: 1) purchase new equipment and supplies to downscale the column, 2) assemble and troubleshoot the construction of the downscale column and make sure it doesn't leak, 3) run several flow and transport tests with dye tracer and chloride tracer to test for laminar flow and ideal breakthrough curves, 4) make sure column test can be run in less than 3 hours. The student will have the following responsibilities: 1) work safely!, 2) follow CDC and UWM COVID guidelines, 3) communicate with me when work will be performed and what work tasks will be performed, 4) communicating the results of these test at the annual GSA meeting this October in Portland, Oregon.
Desired Qualifications
None listed.