Teaching Engineering Principles Using an Aquarium Dr Kauser

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Teaching Engineering Principles Using an Aquarium Dr. Kauser Jahan Associate Professor of Civil and

Teaching Engineering Principles Using an Aquarium Dr. Kauser Jahan Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering Rowan University Glassboro NJ 08028 U. S. A

Introduction to Aquariums v An aquarium is an exquisite combination of interacting systems which

Introduction to Aquariums v An aquarium is an exquisite combination of interacting systems which can be analyzed using multidisciplinary engineering principles. v Children typically have personal aquariums for their pet fishes and visit some large aquarium as part of a school field trip or as part of their family outing. v While these activities apparently raise the knowledge base in terms of nature and the environment, children seldom make a connection to the engineering principles playing out in the maintenance of a commercial or personal aquarium.

Water Quality An Aquarium Water Treatment Toxicology Biology Gas Transfer Ethics Materials Sustainability Heat

Water Quality An Aquarium Water Treatment Toxicology Biology Gas Transfer Ethics Materials Sustainability Heat Transfer Fluid Mechanics Fish Health Pollution Prevention Online Instrumentation Data Acquisition Digital Imaging

Outline v How engineering is applied towards the design, operation and maintenance of an

Outline v How engineering is applied towards the design, operation and maintenance of an aquarium. v Water quality parameters v Water Treatment v Heat Transfer and Evaporation v Material Properties v. Ethics v. Pollution Prevention v. Biology

Physical Water Quality Parameters v Turbidity v Color v Odor v Temperature

Physical Water Quality Parameters v Turbidity v Color v Odor v Temperature

Chemical Water Quality Parameters v Dissolved Oxygen v Hardness v p. H v Salinity

Chemical Water Quality Parameters v Dissolved Oxygen v Hardness v p. H v Salinity v Nitrates v Alkalinity v Nitrites v Redox Potential v Ammonia v Conductivity v Chlorine

Dissolved Oxygen v Dissolved oxygen is one of the most important water quality parameters

Dissolved Oxygen v Dissolved oxygen is one of the most important water quality parameters for aquariums. v DO needs to be maintained at 4 mg/L or above in order for fish to survive

Some pictures of diffusers Pad Diffuser Fine Bubble Diffuser Tube Diffuser Wood Diffuser

Some pictures of diffusers Pad Diffuser Fine Bubble Diffuser Tube Diffuser Wood Diffuser

GAS TRANSFER KINETICS

GAS TRANSFER KINETICS

Salinity v Salinity is the measure of the salt content of water. v Affects

Salinity v Salinity is the measure of the salt content of water. v Affects the p. H and the Dissolved Oxygen content v Measured by the Specific Gravity Freshwater – Specific Gravity of 1. 000 -1. 005 Salt Water – Specific Gravity of 1. 020 -1. 025

Biological Water Quality Parameters Nitrosomonas Nitrobacter v Microbes v Beneficial bacteria v The role

Biological Water Quality Parameters Nitrosomonas Nitrobacter v Microbes v Beneficial bacteria v The role of sponges Nitrogen-fixing

Nitrogen Cycle Ammonia Nitrosomonas bacteria Nitrite Nitrobacteria Nitrate Nitrogen fixing bacteria Nitrogen

Nitrogen Cycle Ammonia Nitrosomonas bacteria Nitrite Nitrobacteria Nitrate Nitrogen fixing bacteria Nitrogen

Water Treatment in Aquariums v Chemical v Mechanical v Physical v v GAC PAC

Water Treatment in Aquariums v Chemical v Mechanical v Physical v v GAC PAC Zeolites Sponge Filters

GAC and PAC v GAC v PAC Granular Activated Carbon Powdered Activated Carbon Scanning

GAC and PAC v GAC v PAC Granular Activated Carbon Powdered Activated Carbon Scanning Microscopic View

Zeolites Granulated Zeolites A picture of a Zeolite using a scanning electron microscope

Zeolites Granulated Zeolites A picture of a Zeolite using a scanning electron microscope

Heat Transfer and Evaporation v Surface Area v Volume v Humidity v Pressure v

Heat Transfer and Evaporation v Surface Area v Volume v Humidity v Pressure v Temperature

Heat Transfer via Convection Students cool hot water in two different types of closed

Heat Transfer via Convection Students cool hot water in two different types of closed coffee mugs. Uo = overall heat transfer coefficient

Materials Glass – aquariums made out of glass are harder to scratch then acrylic

Materials Glass – aquariums made out of glass are harder to scratch then acrylic tanks. Glass is also heavier than acrylic and less force is required to break a glass tank. For an equal amount of volume, a glass tank would be much thicker than an acrylic tank. Acrylic – aquariums made out of acrylic tanks are lighter but are easily scratched. Unlike glass tanks, acrylic tanks can be molded to form almost any shape desired.

Material Properties Ø Elasticity, Stress, Strain, Modulus of Elasticity Ø Compression and Tension Ø

Material Properties Ø Elasticity, Stress, Strain, Modulus of Elasticity Ø Compression and Tension Ø Refraction and Reflection of Light Ø Refractive Index

Ethics and Pollution Prevention Testing the Waters Toxic waste in our water - the

Ethics and Pollution Prevention Testing the Waters Toxic waste in our water - the attempted clean-up of the Niagara River. Empty Oceans, Empty Nets Examines the global marine fisheries crisis and the efforts to implement sustainable fishing practices.

Data Acquisition and Imaging R-QUARIUM Ø Real time data acquisition via p. H, DO

Data Acquisition and Imaging R-QUARIUM Ø Real time data acquisition via p. H, DO probes Ø Real time image acquisition to post on web

Website

Website

Field Trip On April 12 and 13, the Freshman Engineering Clinic Students went on

Field Trip On April 12 and 13, the Freshman Engineering Clinic Students went on a field trip to Cumberland County College Aquaculture Technology Program to see there Fish Barn and demonstration/training facility. At the facility, the students witnessed first hand the engineering that had been implemented to aquariums on a much larger scale than just a simple home aquarium.

Conclusions v. Engineering plays a large role in the upkeep of an aquarium v.

Conclusions v. Engineering plays a large role in the upkeep of an aquarium v. Aquariums lend life and excitement for students

Acknowledgement Freshman Engineering Class College of Engineering Rowan University Glassboro, New Jersey

Acknowledgement Freshman Engineering Class College of Engineering Rowan University Glassboro, New Jersey