DELOACH BLOG

In water treatment systems it is often important to measure the rate at which water is flowing through the system. Data from flow measurement devices can be used to control chemical dosing, set pump speeds, control filter loading rates, inform maintenance programs, and other tasks necessary for the operation of a water treatment facility or on key components such as Degasification and Decarbonation systems or Biological Odor Control Systems. As with most types of instrumentation, there is an array of technologies that can be used for the task, each one with various strengths and optimal applications. For modern electronically controlled systems, the most common types of flow sensors used are axial turbine flowmeters, paddlewheel flowmeters, differential pressure/orifice plate flow transducers, and magnetic flowmeters. This article will briefly discuss the technology and features of each of these types.

A turbine flow meter,

consists of a tube that contains supports to hold a multi-bladed metal turbine in the center. The turbine is designed to have close clearance to the walls of the tubing such that nearly all of the water is made to flow through the turbine blades as it travels through the pipe. The turbine is supported on finely finished bearings so that the turbine will spin freely even under very low flows. As the turbine spins, a magnetic pickup located outside of the flowmeter housing is used to sense the tips of the turbine blade spinning past the pickup. An amplifier/transmitter is then used to amplify the pulses and either transmit them directly or convert the pulse frequency into an analog signal that is then sent to a programmable controller for further use elsewhere in the system. One advantage of a turbine flowmeter is that the electronics are separated from the fluid path. The magnetic pickup is the only electronic component, and it is installed outside of the turbine housing, reading the presence of the turbine blade tips through the wall of the sensor body. In clean water applications, this can be advantageous because the magnetic pickup can be replaced if needed without removing the turbine from service. However, the turbine itself covers most of the pipe area and creates back pressure in the system, requiring increased pumping energy to move a given amount of water. In Industrial Water Treatment or Filtration Treatment,  turbines can also easily become fouled or jammed if they are used to measure water or other fluids with entrained solids, algae or bacteria cultures which cause significant accumulation, or corrosive chemical components that can degrade the turbine bearings.

One of the largest consumers of energy in the US is water and wastewater treatment plants.

Because of the need for large horsepower pumps and blowers, a municipal water and wastewater treatment plant consumes a tremendous amount of kilowatt hours of electricity. The energy cost is factored into the “cost of production” of water or wastewater treatment, and the “rate base” charge is increased accordingly to the consumer.

Does Renewable Power Work in a Water Treatment Plant?

Because solar energy is “space intensive,” you do not see a lot of solar power being deployed across the USA at water treatment plants. In our opinion, this is a mistake, and most likely, the decision was made back when solar power output was much lower. With the increased efficiency of solar panels and decreased production cost, it makes tremendous sense to revisit the use of Solar energy to offset the operational cost of a water treatment plant or wastewater treatment plant operation.

Providing solar energy for specific pieces of process equipment is also a viable option when you consider deploying solar energy. For example, operating a Degasification tower or Decarbonator utilizing 10 350-watt solar panels will generate 3500 watts during peak daylight hours and enough to offset the cost of smaller horsepower blower motors. If the solar panels are configured as a canopy, they can also provide a nice shade or protective barrier above the piece of equipment if installed outdoors, as most packed column towers are located outside.

What about other forms of renewable energy? Do they work?

At water treatment or wastewater treatment facilities. Co-generation use has been around for many years at Wastewater plant facilities wastewater treatment plants. A cogeneration unit is a combination “Generator” to produce power and a “Thermal” energy source to produce heated water. The water can be used domestically or can be used to produce chilled water with the help of a Chiller system. The wastewater treatment plant provides a critical component by producing gases such as “Methane,” which can be used as a cogeneration unit fuel source. Water treatment plants do not produce methane or other combustible forms of gases like a cogeneration plant would produce, so you normally do not see Cogeneration system units deployed at a Water treatment facility.

In the past two decades, there has been a remarkable development and improvement in wastewater technologies, driven by both necessity and stringent governmental regulations.

Today, municipalities and countries worldwide are recognizing the vital importance of recycling wastewater into clean drinking water. In certain regions like the Caribbean and other foreign nations, the wastewater to the drinking water industry is not merely a choice but a necessity.

To address our global needs and challenges, the recycling of wastewater to produce safe drinking water has become an everyday practice, empowered by cutting-edge technologies such as "Ultra-Filtration" and "Membrane Bio-Reactors" (MBR). These technologies continue to advance, offering much-needed solutions to the world's water scarcity issues. Moreover, due to stricter governmental requirements for wastewater recycling, the purity standards achieved through this process often surpass those of conventional water treatment methods. To foster global growth, it is crucial for professionals and consumers alike to acknowledge and embrace wastewater recycling whenever and wherever it is applicable to meet our evolving needs.

One of the key elements in the wastewater recycling process is the removal of contaminants, such as hydrogen sulfide gas, through advanced treatment methods. Hydrogen sulfide gas, a common byproduct of various industrial processes, can pose significant risks to water quality. Through technologies like Ultra-Filtration, this harmful gas can be effectively eliminated, ensuring the production of safe drinking water.

Another crucial aspect of wastewater treatment is addressing water turbidity. Turbidity refers to the cloudiness or haziness of water caused by the presence of suspended particles. By employing techniques like Membrane Bio-Reactors (MBR), wastewater can undergo thorough filtration, effectively removing suspended solids and improving water clarity. This ensures that the recycled water meets stringent purity standards and is suitable for drinking.

Water treatment in the Caribbean poses unique challenges due to the specific characteristics of the region.