The Rankin Laboratory has been designed to be a unique teaching and research seawater laboratory.  The 2,400 square foot wet laboratory can process up to 600 GPM of seawater through a high-flow pressurized distribution system. Water can be distributed untreated, filtered to 5 microns at 180 GPM, heated to a delta T of 20 degrees C at 30 GPM or chilled to a delta T of 20degrees C at 10 GPM. The distribution system also features a flexible design which allows for closed, semiclosed or open system flow configurations, depending upon experimental requirements. The high flow design minimizes the accumulation of fouling organisms in the piping and is intended to reduce the maintenance requirement. A simple but effective diffusion device has also been developed to minimize gas bubble disease which occurs during winter periods when seawater becomes super saturated with oxygen.

Introduction

This guide provides a general description of the system's capability of the John S. Rankin, Jr. sea water research laboratory as well as information about accessing the facility. University research policies and procedures, as they relate to the laboratory, are also included in the appendices.

The Marine Sciences program at the University of Connecticut was founded by Dr. Rankin in 1957 with the acquisition of the Marine Research Laboratory in Noank, CT. Under his leadership, the program continued to grow in size and developed an excellent reputation in the marine sciences community. Dr. Rankin was a remarkable individual whose boundless energy and indomitable spirit has left a lasting influence on a generation of marine scientists. This facility honors his 33 year contribution to the University and lifelong pursuit of excellence in research and education.   ^TOP

General Systems Design

The Rankin Laboratory has been designed to provide sea water in relatively large volumes of continuously flowing sea water to an enclosed laboratory building. Two basic systems have been installed, a raw water system and a filtered water system further divided into heated and chilled water headers. The water is distributed throughout the laboratory via six independent piping systems delivering raw water (two lines), filtered water (two lines), heated and chilled water. The piping system has twelve distribution stations positioned throughout the laboratory. Pipe diameters are incrementally reduced toward the end of each run in order to maintain flow rates above one meter per second, thus minimizing biofouling. Each distribution station is equipped with ample supply valves and a diffusion manifold designed to minimize or eliminate oxygen supersaturation in sea water. Each station is also equipped with a low pressure aeration delivery manifold.   ^TOP

To allow for maximum flexibility to accommodate experimental arrays, the entire sea water delivery system is located overhead. Large overhead doors on the east and west walls of the building allow vehicular access to the laboratory interior and east-west terraces. Water exits the laboratory through an integral fiberglass trench drain system covered by removable fiberglass grates. The floor is covered with a highly resilient, non-skid, methyl methacrylate polymer concrete and the walls are epoxy coated. Both surfaces are durable and easily maintained.   ^TOP

Electrical power (110VAC, 30 amp) is supplied at fifteen distribution points throughout the laboratory via ceiling mounted retractable cord reels, each fitted with a fourplex receptacle. Additional electrical power (208VAC, 50 amp, single phase) is available in wall mounted weatherproof receptacles along the perimeter walls of the laboratory.

Terraces located adjacent to the east and west walls have been constructed with trench drains integrated into the primary laboratory drain system. Although sea water and electrical power have not yet been extended to the terraces, the building was designed to easily accommodate the expansion of existing systems.   ^TOP

Raw Sea Water

Raw water is drawn directly from Long Island Sound from a depth of four meters at a location approximately forty meters seaward of the laboratory. Two 7.5 horsepower pumps provide up to three hundred and fifty gallons per minute to the distribution headers in the overhead of the wet laboratory. This water is not treated in any way and represents ambient water conditions at any season. The temperature and pH content of the intake water are monitored for reporting purposes only by the laboratory manager.   ^TOP

Filtered Sea Water

Filtered seawater is provided at the rate of up to one hundred gallons per minute for each of two systems. Their intakes are adjacent to the sections for the raw water system and, in the event of an emergency, any of the intake pipes can be cross connected to maintain intake flow. Each system consists of a 7.5 horsepower primary suction pump, a 7.5 horsepower filter and distribution pump and a shared 1.5 horsepower flushing and rinse pump, three filter vessels, and associated piping, control valves and sensors. The system is fully automatic in operation, filtering all water to the filter water headers, and all water to the heated and chilled water headers. Due to the requirement to periodically backflush and rinse the filter system, output of filtered water will drop to approximately eighty gallons per minute per system for a period of twenty minutes (on average) eight times each day for each system. Frequency of backflushing the system is based on the differential pressure across the filter medium, and is automatic. Thus, during periods of heavy suspended loads, backflushing occurs more frequently. However, a minimum of 100 gallons per minute of filtered water should always be available, as both filter systems are interlocked to prevent backflushing at the same time. The filter system is designed to filter water with a continuous suspended solids extraction above 5.0 microns. Filtered water is delivered to the laboratory through two headers running adjacent to the raw water piping. Filtered salt water is also distributed at a rate of up to 30 gallons per minute to the salt water heating system, and at a rate of up to 8 gallons per minute to the chilling system.   ^TOP

Temperature Controlled Filtered Sea Water

Temperature control equipment in the laboratory is capable of maintaining sea water between a range of 5.0-25.50 C regardless of the ambient sea water of atmospheric temperatures. Temperature fluctuations of sea water output vary approximately +-1.50 C. Finer temperature control or values outside the stated range are achievable only by means of supplemental equipment provided by the investigator. Please note that existing heating and chilling systems are designed to provide water at a single output temperature. Individual investigators are responsible for providing any equipment required to modify the general laboratory output temperature to meet their specific needs. The general system output temperature will be determined by the laboratory manager as deemed prudent to best serve the entire laboratory needs.   ^TOP

The only metal components in contact with sea water in the distribution system are titanium plates located in the heat exchangers. Although the tempered water has not been tested to determine if there is a detectable level of titanium ions, it is assumed that the potential toxicity of the exchange plates will be negligible.

Chilled/Filtered Sea Water System

Chilled sea water is produced by a twenty-five ton cooling unit installed outside the north wall of the laboratory. The system is automatic in operation and produces up to eight gallons of filtered water per minute down to 5.00 C. Chilled water can be provided through the distribution system at any of the twelve laboratory stations.

Since the output of chilled water produced by the system is fixed and relatively modest (i.e., 8 gpm), it is critically important for the laboratory manager to be aware of the projected need for chilled water when the laboratory use request is received. Every effort will be made to provide tempered sea water to everyone requiring it.   ^TOP

Heated/Filtered Sea Water System

A two million BTU per hour gas fired furnace has been installed in the first floor mechanical room solely to heat filtered sea water to a maximum temperature of 25.50 C regardless of ambient temperature conditions. The operation of the system from a users point of view is completely automatic. Up to thirty gallons per minute can be supplied through the overhead distribution system. This system is also designed to produce water at a single output temperature supplying the entire laboratory. Investigators who require a different output temperature or variable temperatures must provide their own equipment to manipulate temperature. The laboratory manager will determine the system output temperature based on best meeting the needs on the entire laboratory.   ^TOP

Because of the relatively high cost of producing heated sea water (i.e., propane consumption), there is a threshold level of demand which must be met to justify engaging the heating system. In order to be economically feasible, the demand for tempered water must exceed fifty percent utilization of the laboratory floor space. It is critically important that users understand this constraint and that projects be planned well in advanced and coordinated with the laboratory manager. The manager will make every effort to supply tempered water to everyone requiring it.   ^TOP

Dry Laboratory

The dry laboratory is a 600 square foot workspace designed for instruction of small classes (<10), research and integration of monitoring and control equipment with wet lab arrays. The lab has ample perimeter counter and cabinet space, a center island bench, fume hood, refrigerator, and general use sink. A large window permits visual monitoring of approximately 75% of the wet lab floor space and hardwire instrumentation links are facilitated by a through-wall mouseport. The laboratory also has a general use personal computer and modem.   ^TOP

Scheduling and use of the dry laboratory should be coordinated through the lab manager.

Systems Control

Mechanical systems in the laboratory are under the control of the laboratory manager and are, from a users point of view, largely automatic. Investigators only need to control flow at the distribution stations and maintain their own equipment. Question or concerns about any laboratory systems should be immediately brought to the attention of the laboratory manager. Under no circumstances are investigators to modify or adjust any laboratory systems without the approval and/or supervision of the laboratory manager.   ^TOP

Accessing the Rankin Laboratory

When preparing proposals routed through the MSTC you will receive a form requesting you to indicate which services you require for your research. Investigators who wish to use the laboratory will then receive a laboratory use request form which should be completed and submitted to the main office as soon as possible. The request will be reviewed by the scheduling committee and you will be contacted within seventy-two hours regarding the status of your request.   ^TOP

Requests not associated with a proposal package should be directed to Dennis Arbige (860-405-9142). Again, you will receive a laboratory use request form and be notified within seventy-two hours following submission. If you have any questions about the laboratory specifications or capabilities, or need technical advice please contact Peter Boardman (860-405-9181).

Investigator's Responsibility

The initial set up of experiments is largely the responsibility of the investigator. Center staff will, however, make every effort to provide technical and logistical support to help get projects underway. Advanced planning and notification will certainly help to minimize use conflicts or other constraints. At this time, unfortunately, there are only minimal resources available (i.e., tanks, monitoring equipment, etc.).

Breakdown and removal of experimental arrays is solely the investigator's responsibility as are daily monitoring and maintenance duties.  ^TOP

If vertebrate animals are intended to be used, the investigator must obtain approval from the university Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) prior to beginning experiments. A copy of the IACUC approval letter must be on file with the Rankin laboratory manager before any animals will be allowed in the laboratory. IACUC application forms are available from the University Research Foundation.

When completing the laboratory use request it is important to identify any chemicals or other potentially hazardous materials that may be used in the laboratory. Please be cognizant of the fact that the environmental discharge permit does not allow release of any chemicals in the discharge stream, regardless of concentration. The reclamation of any chemicals is the investigator's responsibility.  ^TOP

Laboratory Fees

General use laboratory fees will not be applied to users of the Rankin Laboratory. Investigators will, however, be responsible for all materiel required to set up and maintain experiments and any direct costs incurred to support projects. Projects will be invoiced on a quarterly basis. Undoubtedly, the production of tempered sea water (heated or chilled) will be the most significant single cost item. Center personnel can provide fuel cost estimates for budget planning purposes upon request.

Student investigators will be provided access to the laboratory at no cost. Student requests for laboratory space should be coordinated through their major advisors.  ^TOP