May / June, 2004

2004 Biosystems Engineering Design Projects
Bovine Bio-Filtration

Bakerlads Dairy Farm must treat 18,000 gallons of water, including 7,200 gallons of dairy parlor house wash-water per day, prior to discharging to a constructed wetland. A bio-filter can reduce the total solids and chemical oxygen demand (COD) from the wash-water, lengthening the wetland's life span.

The student engineers designed, built, and tested a bench-scale bio-filter to test the removal efficiency of different filter materials and application rates. After nine weeks of testing, the team designed an inexpensive full-scale filter that can operate from spring to early fall, utilize readily available substrate materials, be easily constructed, and be maintained with farm equipment.

Advisors: Dr. William Northcott, P.E.
Dr. Gary Van Ee, P.E.
Dr. Theodore Loudon, P.E.
Mr. Blaine Baker, Bakerlads Dairy Farm
Mr. Thad Cleary, MDEQ

Instructors: Hope Croskey, P.E., Dr. Gary Van Ee, P.E.
Design Assistants: Richard Wolthuis, Steve Marquie

June 3, 2004