Liquid feed ends hydraulic hammering

Problem

Hydraulic hammering in the chemical feed pump system of Anchorage (Alaska) Water and Wastewater caused pump failures and leaks. The operators wanted to change out the system for a more reliable one before the warranty expired.

Solution

The facility purchased more than a dozen LF Series automatic vacuum-feed delivery systems from Global Treat. The design delivers reliable liquid feeds from 0.5 gph to 10 gpm and has few moving parts for minimal maintenance.

Result:

Eight years later, the facility is still successfully using the original units on well sites and at the wastewater treatment plant for disinfection and dechlorination. 800/370-4410; www.globaltreat.com.

Software optimizes energy usage

Problem

The Ann Arbor (Mich.) Water Treatment Plant processes 14 to 15 mgd. “Our peak electrical-demand charges accounted for more than half the energy bill,” says senior utilities engineer Brian Stegitz. “The operators needed real-time data to avoid nonessential tasks that affected those charges.”

Solution

The city invested in RSPower Plus software from Rockwell Automation and four Allen-Bradley Powermonitor devices with Ethernet that connect to the process control network. Data on electrical usage is sent to the SCADA system, enabling operators to make real-time decisions that optimize energy usage. The system also alerts them when the plant approaches peak limits, allowing them to ramp down electrical usage when possible.

Result:

The plant saves $30,000 to $40,000 annually by tracking and controlling energy consumption. Stegitz expects the savings to increase as energy-intensive water treatment technologies become more commonplace. 414/382-2000; www.rockwellautomation.com/rockwellsoftware.