AALSO Life Support Practice Exam

These flashcards cover vocabulary and key concepts related to life support systems, mechanical components, and safety regulations relevant to the exam.

Peristaltic pump

A positive displacement pump that uses rollers to compress and rotate across an elastomeric tube to pump a fluid.

Centrifugal pump

A type of pump where the motor connects to the impeller, converting rotational energy into kinetic energy.

Mechanical filtration

A method of filtration that uses physical barriers to filter water, demonstrated by a rotating drum filter.

High pressure sand filter

A filtration system that uses high flow rates and pressures to filter water mechanically.

Gate valve

A valve that uses the guillotine action of a solid wall to control the flow of water.

Globe valve

A valve that uses a plug and baffle mechanism to control the flow of water.

Foam fractionator efficiency

Can be decreased by large disruptive bubbles in the reaction column.

Confined space safety

Before entering, one should lock out/tag out equipment, ensure ventilation, and test gases, but NOT securely tie a rope.

Chemical filtration

A filtration method utilizing chemical reactions, exemplified by a carbon filter.

Channeling in a sand filter

Can be caused by improper backwashing frequency, leading to a failure in effective filtration.

Media flow rate range for a sand filter

Typically operates within 10-15 Gal/min/ft².

Disposal of burnt fluorescent bulbs

They should be disposed of as hazardous waste due to the presence of mercury.

Sump tank volume calculation

An aquarium sump tank that is 1/3 full can hold approximately 60 gallons.

OSHA regulations

Require Safety Data Sheets to be accessible unless certain conditions apply.

Refilling a tank

A tank with 10,000 gallons, when 25% removed, will take approximately 41.66 minutes to refill at 3,600 gph.

Total static head

For a pump drawing from a tank 10 feet below and discharging 100 feet above is 110 feet.

Foam fractionating efficiency factors

Can be decreased by too little air, dirt intake, or inconsistent flow rates.

Turnover time in recirculation pumps

For a 68,000 gallon system with 4 pumps, the turnover time is about 50 minutes.

Cubic feet per second (cfs)

For a pump rated at 960 gpm, it converts to approximately 2.14 cfs.

Hazards of UV bulbs

Include containing mercury, being sharp when broken, and high voltage when operating.

Disinfection of water with ozone

Most influenced by the concentration of ozone.

LOTO

Stands for lock out, tag out, a safety procedure in hazardous work environments.

HDPE

High density polyethylene, a common material used for tanks.

Powerheads effect

Using powerheads can lead to a decrease in ORP and increase in water temperature.

Dead heading a pump

Commonly caused when the valve directly downstream from the pump is closed.