Overview of Status of Analysis, Design, Fabrication, Tests, etc.
The last round of testing will be completed, and so the design phase may begin if data is satisfactory.
Design phase will include the machining of parts, and also the coding via simple microcontroller if necessary.
Accomplishments from Previous Week
(Team) Revisit the compost facility to conduct experiments to gather data.
(Paulie) Purchase respirators. Perform basic testing using the ESI probe on biosolids and place samples into convection oven.
(Armando) Write pseudo-code for calibration of data. Find out which pin in the 4-pin connector transmits data, so that it can be modified via microcontroller.
(Evan) Contact competitors and obtain information about their technology. site: compostmanager.com
(Tim) Analyze collected data, taking into account density and temperature and instructor comments on graphs.
Goals for Next Week (list names after each item). Use specific and measurable objectives.
<Placeholder. Must meet with Nate on Thursday>
Sponsor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
4 Feb 2016 meeting at Reotemp:
Visit El Corazon Compost Facility (hopefully) one last time and perform the following experiments:
Keeping density constant, monitor % moisture vs. temperature using ESI Probe.
Using the ASTM box, let the probe sit in the box and let it cool whilst taking periodic measurements at regular intervals.
Monitor % moisture vs. density using the ESI probe.
Using the ASTM box, let the probe sit in the box + compost and after taking several measurements, pick up and drop the box from a set height and take additional repeated measurements until maximum compaction.
Re-calibrate previous data using updated validation/modeling
Re-test bio-solids using the probe and gravimetric methods.
We have decided to use an "insertion" approach, so the usage of the final design will generally follow: insert, wait, read, remove.
Instructor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
2 Feb 2016 Presentation:
Visual data requires improvement. Clearly label units and include annotations if required (e.g. 4 data points from 1 sample, the other 4 from another sample)
Comments from Other Students in the Class (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
2 Feb 2016 Proof of Concept Presentation
Vibrate the probe before the measurement starts to promote settling of compost
Is calibration affected differently depending on region?
Taper the end of the ramrod for easier insertion (especially if the cross-sectional area is larger in the final design)
Better body language (e.g. hands out of pockets), secure ESI probe via fasteners or bolts/nuts.
How to compensate for temperature? Redundancy in presentation slides
Risks and Areas of Concern
Resources or Information Required but not Available
4 ft probe from ESI still not available
Schedule
Describe upcoming milestone
Update Gantt chart.
Budget (list amount spent and amount remaining)
Progress on Report and Webpage
First final draft completed.