This past week we kept working with a few water samples that were left and we also decided on one of the solutions that we would be moving forward with to prevent the membranes from fouling in the CERRO unit in the event of a power outage.

For solution #3 which is the one that we have decided to move forward with, to prevent the membrane from fouling in the event of a power outage, the system will have a separate bladder tank.  This bladder tank will be filled up with permeated water via a pump.  As the permeated water is pumped into the bladder tank, the balloon/bag that it has inside will have its volume decreased which in turn will create the PSI the water needs when it is released into the system.  The water from the bladder tank will be released via a solenoid valve that will be activated/spring loaded when the power goes out.  The water will then flush the membranes leaving it clean for when the system starts up again.

Also, we got to go to the desalination plant, TECH H20, to see how their RO systems worked and the other resources they provide the learning community with. There, I was able to get ideas on how to test the students knowledge via the use of magnets. With magnets students can put together a system and show you how it works. Its hands on and it keeps the visual and kinesthetics students engaged.