Flow rate monitoring helps minimize water pollution

Problem

 In heavy rainfalls, a wastewater treatment plant near Cleveland could not handle the deluge; combined wastewater and stormwater flowed directly into the lake. To gain control, the sanitary district needed to measure the flow at various points in the system and correlate the data with rainfall. 

Solution

 CAS DataLoggers supplied an automated flow rate monitoring solution in a sewer line as part of an environmental project. A dataTaker DT82E Intelligent Environmental Data Logger was packaged in a waterproof enclosure with a bracket that allowed it to be installed in a manhole, mounted on the sewer wall or used outside. One of the analog inputs was connected to an ultrasonic sensor with a 4-20mA output to measure the water height in the channel. A tipping-bucket rain gauge was then connected to the digital/counter input of the data logger.

Result:

 Operators were able to measure the output from the height sensor and the precipitation measured by the rain gauge. This enabled the district to accurately determine the channel’s flow rate, know the time between rainfall and flow changes, and measure the changes in the channel’s water level. This enabled targeted modifications to the system and reduction of sewage overflows. 800-956-4437; www.dataloggerinc.com

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Municipality seeks continuous chlorine analyzer

Problem

 A Florida municipality needed a new analyzer to continuously monitor free chlorine for more than 20 groundwater treatment plants. 

Solution

 After a free demonstration, an HF scientific CLX chlorine analyzer was installed, and JAW reagent was provided for evaluation at the plant with the most potential hardness issues. During the demonstration lasting more than three months, the analyzer proved easy to install, required little maintenance, and improved reliability.

Result:

 The CLX analyzer was determined to have the lowest cost of operation among analyzers, considering maintenance, time and parts. The municipality now has a durable and reliable monitoring system for its groundwater treatment plants. 888-203-7248; www.hfscientific.com

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Real-time control optimizes extended aeration processes

Problem

 The Valrico Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant, which serves several small communities west of Tampa, Florida, was built with a 4 mgd capacity. It was expanded several times to accommodate growth and is now rated at 12 mgd. To achieve optimal efficiency and prepare for heightened demand, operators looked at alternatives to hands-on adjustments to handle peak flow.

Solution

 The extended aeration plant has two nitrification/denitrification basins; surface aerators in both are controlled with real-time information from a single Online Process Analyzer from ChemScan, an In-Situ Co. After the nitrification/denitrification processes, the analyzer tests the nitrate and ammonia levels using fully automated UV-visible spectrometry. It then sends control signals via SCADA to increase or decrease aerator speeds.

Result:

 “Before we had access to real-time information on our processes, our operators relied on their experience and educated guesses to adjust the process,” says Kevin Grant, plant manager. Real-time data now gives them current information and the confidence to adjust the process even during times of significant change in influent flows. 800-665-7133; www.chemscan.com

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Remote monitoring and control reduces false alarms

Problem

 False alarms from lift station pumps required frequent evening and weekend operator attention at a California community services district. Seven lift stations had aging instrumentation comprised of auto-dialers with traditional SCADA, which required operators to respond in person to each alarm. Operators needed a reliable way to monitor wet well levels and pumps remotely to address alarms efficiently and act when needed to avoid overflows.

Solution

 The district installed XiO’s Lift Station Control System throughout the collection system. The cloud-based system allows operators to view statuses on sensors and pumps, as well as wet well levels, from any web-enabled device. They can receive alarms and control equipment, such as turning pumps on and off, via smartphones, greatly reducing the time required to respond to alarms.

Result:

 The system immediately reduced false alarms. Data collected gave operators insights to the health of the pumps, enabling a proactive maintenance schedule. 877-946-0101; www.xiowatersystems.com

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Asset management software helps keep track of control valve information

Problem

 The city of Redlands, California, has two water supplies that feed into seven pressure zones. Tim Neumann, a water plant mechanic, studied 18 automatic control valves and produced a maintenance database, recording everything relating to the valves. Using his own spreadsheet program, he spent hours inputting records and pictures of the valves. He soon was responsible for 92 control valves, but his program was not an efficient way to log valve data.

Solution

 Cla-Val was just launching its Link2Valves asset management software for control valves. It enables operators to log data and photographs using a mobile phone app; the data is uploaded to a database via the app or a dedicated website portal.

Result:

 Neuman can record all the valve settings, log the maintenance, take pictures, include the valves’ geolocations, and know when a valve is due for maintenance. The system graphically lets him know by changing the map icon color and sends him email reminders. 800-942-6326; www.cla-val.com