{"id":120216,"key":"Humboldt_SoE_oyster_filtration_demo","title":"Humboldt SoE oyster filtration demo","latest":{"id":1263684,"timestamp":"2026-09-03T13:03:54Z"},"content_model":"wikitext","license":{"url":"https://www.appropedia.org/Appropedia:Copyrights","title":"CC-BY-SA-4.0"},"source":"[[File:Creem Cheezy.png|thumb|Time's are tough but we're tougher]]\n\n{{Project data\n| uses = education, science\n| status = Deployed\n| made = Yes\n| replicated = No\n| authors = User:Quinmcn, User:BiggieVega03, User:Daniel Shaver, User:Fin Cantu\n| location = Arcata, California, United States\n| coordinates = 40° 51' 59.46\" N, 124° 4' 58.22\" W\n}}\n\n{{Engr205 notice}}\n\nHello! We are Creem Cheezy, the creators of the Oyster Filter. This filter was built to demonstrate water quality but in a more fun and innovative way. The Oyster filter is an educational filter, the audience is able to watch as the dirty water becomes cleaned.\n\n== Background ==\n\nAfter a rigorous debate, we decided to work on Man-made Oyster filter as our designated project. Our teammate Fin Cantu came up with this genius idea, inspired by the methods oysters use to filter the sea. Oysters let water run through their gills, this action filters nitrogen from the ocean. We incorporated this method into a 3D printed Oyster. The substrate would be placed into PVC capsules, with a steel hose adapter on each end. A tube is connected to the ends of the adapter. This Oyster Filter is a fun and educational filter, not only does it explain how Oysters function, but it also explains how filters work.\n\n== Problem statement ==\n\nThe objective of this project is to provide the School of Engineering with a water quality demonstration. There was a lack of educational demonstrations for engineers and those who come for experiencing the Engineering of Cal Poly Humboldt.\n\n=== Criteria ===\n\nThe following is a criterion we designed based off our clients agenda.\n\n{| class=\"wikitable\"\n! Criteria\n! Description\n! Weight (1-10)\n|-\n| Cost & Sustainability\n| Cost influences accessibility. Sustainability is a CPH priority.\n| 5\n|-\n| Ease of Setup & Breakdown\n| Easier to assemble more likely to be used\n| 7\n|-\n| Durability\n| More durable is more sustainable,.\n| 8\n|-\n| Size & Weight\n| More durable is easier to assemble,.\n| 6\n|-\n| Educational Value\n| Promotes what CPH Teaches.\n| 9\n|-\n| Engagement\n| More engagement means more outreach.\n| 10\n|-\n| Aesthetics\n| Better aesthetics means more attention and engagement\n| 9\n|}\n\n== Prototyping ==\n\nThrough this prototyping process, we learned a filter can be greatly affected by the setup the substrate is in.<gallery mode=\"nolines\">\nFile:Manmade oyster filter system.png|Project Sketch\nFile:Teammate Quin Oyster Chain.jpg|Quin holding Oyster connected through tubing.\nFile:First plan of capsule placed into oyster print.jpg|First prototype of \"PVC\" capsules placed into oyster container.\nFile:Container used before printing Oyster.jpg|Container used before the oyster was printed\n</gallery>\n\n== Final product ==\n\n[[File:Final Product Oyster.jpg|center|thumb|Final system set up]]\n\n== Construction ==\n\nFirstly, the shells where 3d printed with silky PLA, giving it a ''silky'' texture. The Shells are held to the board by two screws each, put through the foam board, and the shells are attached to one another by some springs melted into them, which act as a hinge. The PVC capsules were cut to length, and steel mesh screens were installed in the caps with hot glue after installing the metal ports/adapters. Later, in the rock and activated charcoal capsules, cheesecloth was also installed on both the input and output. The capsules were then filled with substrate (Activated charcoal, sand, or rocks), and then glued shut. They were chained together with 1/2\" vinyl tubing. The 3D printed shells had holes melted into them by using one of the steel adapters, heated up with a blowtorch.\n\n<gallery mode=\"packed-hover\" heights=\"250\" caption=\"Construction Gallery\">\nFile:Filtration system being tested and constrcuted.jpg|Filtration system being tested and constructed\nFile:Water quality demonstration fully setup.jpg|Finished Oyster Filtration System Setup\nFile:Teammate Quin Oyster Chain.jpg|Quin holding Oyster connected through tubing.\n</gallery>\n\n=== Video instructions ===\n\nA good way to display a process is by making a video explaining your process. See [[Template:Video]] for information on how to add and annotate videos.\n\n{{Video\n| video = Water Quality Demonstration Setup Video.mp4\n| align = center\n| title = Water Quality Demonstration Setup Video\n| description = Water Quality Demonstration Setup Video, from start to finish how to hookup the water input and how they chain together.\n| keywords = water, quality, demonstration, setup\n| authors = User:Quinmcn\n| date = 2024-05-05\n| location = California\n| language = en\n| license = Public domain\n}}\n\n=== Bill of materials ===\n\nIn the table below the itemized billing is listed. These items are found in your local hardware store online on Amazon.\n\n{{Bill of materials\n| currency = USD\n| item1 = Steel Adapters\n| item1-amount = 1\n| item1-cost = 14.99\n| item2 = PVC caps\n| item2-amount = 1\n| item2-cost = 10.74\n| item3 = Cheese Cloth\n| item3-amount = 1\n| item3-cost = 4.86\n| item4 = PVC\n| item4-amount = 1\n| item4-cost = 23.92\n| item5 = Glue and Caps\n| item5-amount = 1\n| item5-cost = 21.46\n| item6 = Barb Hose Adapter\n| item6-amount = 1\n| item6-cost = 21.57\n| item7 = Hose Clamps\n| item7-amount = 1\n| item7-cost = 8.07\n| item8 = Filament\n| item8-amount = 1\n| item8-cost = 39.99\n| item9 = Tank\n| item9-amount = 1\n| item9-cost = 42.99\n| item10 = Water Pump\n| item10-amount = 1\n| item10-cost = 19.99\n| item11 = Bucket\n| item11-amount = 1\n| item11-cost = 7.99\n}}\n\n== Operation ==\n\nSee Video Instructions above\n\n=== Maintenance ===\n\nMaintenance can be done by anyone who can lift 10 Ibs above their shoulders. Maintenance should be done after every use to prevent clogging and improper filtration. Items necessary for maintenance are listed in the table below along with the cost per unit.\n\n{{Bill of materials\n| currency = USD\n| item1 = Hot Glue\n| item1-amount = 1\n| item1-cost = 1\n| item3 = Cheese Cloth\n| item3-amount = 1\n| item3-cost = 4.86\n| item4 = 1\" diameter 3.5\" length PVC pipe\n| item4-amount = 1\n| item4-cost = 0.50\n| item5 = 1\" PVC Cap\n| item5-amount = 2\n| item5-cost = 2.78\n| item6 = 1/2 in. Barb X 1/2 in. D MPT Galvanized Steel Adapter\n| item6-amount = 1\n| item6-cost = 5\n| item5-text = (per filter unit in need of replacement)\n| item4-text = (per filter unit in need of replacement)\n| item6-text = (per filter unit in need of replacement)\n| item7 = 1/2 in. Barb X 1/2 in. D MPT Brass Pex Adapter\n| item7-amount = 1\n| item7-cost = 4\n| item7-text = (per filter unit in need of replacement)\n| item8 = Stainless Steel Mesh Screen (120x40cm)\n| item8-amount = 1\n| item8-cost = 15\n| item9 = Christy's Red Hot Blue Glue Blue Cement For PVC 4 oz\n| item9-amount = 1\n| item9-cost = 8.59\n}}\n\n=== Maintenance schedule ===\n\nBelow is the maintenance schedule per use as well as annually.\n\n;Per Use\n\n* Run clean water through a filtration device until runs clear\n* Backflow the filtration device to remove excess particulate (run clean water through the output end for 5 minutes)\n\n;Yearly\n\n* Construct 3 new filter pods.\n** Cut a 3.5\" length of 1\" PVC\n** With one of the adapters (input, steel), heat and twist into one of the PVC caps ~0.5-1cm. Cool directly after with water.\n*** Repeat with other adapter and cap\n**** Cut Steel Mesh into a circle fitting into the PVC cap. Hot glue around the adapter, and raised enough to glue the screen in place, directly on top of the adapter output.\n** If it is the sand or activated charcoal, add a 4-layer stack of cheese cloth on top of the steel mesh, to hold in the substrate(s).\n** Glue the outflow PVC cap to the PVC pipe with PVC cement, fill with substrate, then glue the inflow cap on.\n** Re-Attach to system, and you're all good to go!\n\n== Conclusion ==\n\n=== Testing results & Discussion ===\n\nThe methods we used for testing was trying our different ways to layer our substrate. We went through different trial and error. Mainly our biggest issue being the sand washing out as the water filtered out. Luckily we were able to figure out what the best option was which was separating the substrate into different capsules.\n\nWe also tested out how we were going to place the substrate. At first our team was going to use only one PVC capsule and layer all the materials in the correct order. But this plan did not work as the sand would wash out. Then our team tried using a cheesecloth to hold the sand up from washing out. This caused the water to struggle to pass through. It was also difficult to compact the materials causing the water to not pass through the center and to pass through the outer side of the materials. We decided to separate each of the materials by placing each into its own capsule. To fix our sand issue we purchased coarser sand and this helped the washing out problem. Each capsule had it's own material, sand, activated charcoal, and rocks. Connected through vinyl tubing, which are attached through hose clamps. The water would be pushed by a pump. This would help push water through quicker and be able to back wash to clean the tubing.\n\n=== Lessons learned ===\n\nDuring the process of building, we went through the trouble of trying to keep the sand from washing out. We used different methods. Trying to change where the sand is to adding a cheese cloth to keep it from washing out. Until we decided having different PVC capsules for each substrate type. We learned that having such fine sand also affects how easily it can wash out. So we decided getting coarser sand would fit better.\n\n=== Next steps ===\n\nFurther into the future, man-made oyster filter would become a great way for people to enjoy filtering their water. It would be a nicer experience, unlike when you fill your Brita and have to wait for the water to filter out before refilling it. Man-made oyster is fun, interactive, and entertaining.\n\n=== Troubleshooting ===\n\n{| class=\"wikitable\"\n! Problem\n! Suggestion\n|-\n| Tubing Clogging\n| Backwashing the system would help to unclog the tubing.\n|-\n| Leaking from Tubing\n| First check for any tears on the tubing. If none, push the tubing onto the hose clamp tighter, for a possible looseness. If this does not work, using plumbers tape can be another option.\n|}\n\n== Team ==\n\nSpring 2024\n\n* [[User:Daniel Shaver|Daniel Shaver]]\n* [[User:BiggieVega03|Brigitte Vega]]\n\n== References ==\n\n<references />\n\n{{Page data\n| part-of = Engr205 Introduction to Design\n| keywords = test, keywords\n| organizations = Cal Poly Humboldt\n| description = The Oyster Filter educates about clean water. Appropedia explains its interactive design and environmental importance.\n}}\n\n[[Category:Engr205 Introduction to Design]]"}