Tag: filters

1. INTRODUCTION In the hierarchy of unit processes within municipal and industrial wastewater treatment facilities, solids conveyance systems often receive less design scrutiny than liquid stream biological processes. However, the mechanical transport of dewatered biosolids, screenings, and grit represents one of the most mechanically intensive and maintenance-critical operations in a treatment plant. The failure of […]

INTRODUCTION One of the most persistent challenges in municipal and industrial treatment plant design is the “Proprietary vs. Custom” dilemma. Engineers frequently encounter this when selecting equipment for specialized unit processes—such as high-rate clarification, tertiary filtration, or anaerobic digestion auxiliaries. A surprising statistic from lifecycle audits reveals that while proprietary high-rate systems can reduce civil […]

1) INTRODUCTION UV disinfection systems are frequently over-simplified during the preliminary design phase as “pipes with lights,” leading to significant operational headaches down the line. A common challenge engineers face is distinguishing between conventional UV reactor designs and newer optical technologies when high-level pathogen log removal (e.g., Adenovirus) or difficult water matrices are involved. Statistics […]

1. INTRODUCTION The trickling filter is one of the oldest and most established biological treatment processes in municipal and industrial wastewater applications. Classified as an attached-growth (or fixed-film) process, a trickling filter operates by passing wastewater over a stationary medium—historically rock or slag, but increasingly structured plastic modules—where a biofilm establishes itself. This biomass metabolizes […]

Introduction to Tertiary Filtration Selection For municipal and industrial engineers, the tertiary filtration stage is frequently the final safeguard between regulatory compliance and permit violations. As National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits tighten—particularly regarding total phosphorus (TP) limits of < 0.1 mg/L and strict turbidity requirements for Title 22 water reuse—the margin for error […]

1. Introduction In the hydraulic architecture of municipal and industrial wastewater systems, continuity of service is the paramount directive. While permanent infrastructure—lift stations, treatment plants, and gravity mains—forms the backbone of these systems, the ability to bypass these components during failure, maintenance, or rehabilitation is a critical engineering requirement. Emergency bypass and temporary pumping systems […]

INTRODUCTION One of the most persistent debates in municipal water treatment and tertiary wastewater polishing centers on the choice between proprietary membrane technologies and versatile packaged filtration systems. Engineers are frequently caught between the absolute barrier protection of ultrafiltration (UF) and the robust, forgiving nature of adsorption clarifiers or conventional multimedia filtration. This decision affects […]

Introduction One of the most frequent debates in municipal advanced treatment design centers on the selection of tertiary filtration technology. Engineers are often tasked with balancing the stringent pathogen rejection of low-pressure membranes against the energy efficiency and simplicity of depth filtration. This dichotomy is best represented by analyzing DuPont – Memcor vs Aqua-Aerobic for […]

The Authoritative Technical Resource for Engineers and Industry Professionals FACILITY BASIC INFORMATION Plant Name: 69th Street Wastewater Treatment Plant Location: 2525 S/Sgt. Macario Garcia Drive, Houston, Harris County, Texas Operating Authority: City of Houston Public Works (Houston Water) Design Capacity: 200 MGD (Permitted Daily Average Flow) Peak 2-Hour Flow: 400 MGD Population Served: Approx. 1.2 […]

Introduction In the complex infrastructure of municipal water and wastewater treatment, the actuation of valves is the muscle behind process control. While electric actuation has gained ground due to advances in network connectivity, pneumatic valve actuators remain a cornerstone of industry reliability, particularly in applications requiring rapid response, high duty cycles, and fail-safe operation. For […]