Tag: frequently asked questions
Introduction In the municipal water and wastewater sector, the electric actuator is often the single most critical interface between the control room (SCADA) and the physical process. Yet, despite their importance, actuators are frequently treated as commodity items or last-minute additions to valve specifications. This oversight often leads to a staggering statistic: industry analysis suggests […]
Introduction Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) is frequently the unit process of choice when dealing with low-density solids, algae, or fats, oils, and grease (FOG)—contaminants that defy gravity settling. However, a surprising number of DAF installations fail to meet performance guarantees not because the tank is the wrong size, but because the whitewater system is improperly […]
Introduction One of the most visible failures in municipal water distribution is the overflow of an elevated storage tank. Beyond the public embarrassment of a “waterfall” cascading down a tower in the town center, the engineering consequences include structural icing loads in winter, erosion at the foundation, and significant wasted pumping energy. While SCADA systems […]
Introduction The catastrophic collapse of a pipeline due to vacuum conditions or the rupture of a force main caused by trapped air pockets remains a persistent threat in municipal water and wastewater infrastructure. Despite the critical nature of air management, air valves are often the most undervalued component in the hydraulic profile, frequently selected based […]
Introduction One of the most persistent yet overlooked threats to municipal pipeline integrity is the mismanagement of entrapped air and vacuum conditions. Design engineers often treat air valves as commodity items, specifying them based on nominal pipe diameter rather than hydraulic performance or operational longevity. This oversight frequently leads to catastrophic line failures due to […]
Introduction One of the most frequent causes of pipeline failure in municipal water and wastewater infrastructure is not structural weakness of the pipe itself, but rather the mismanagement of entrained air and vacuum conditions. A startling number of force main bursts and transmission line collapses can be traced back to improper sizing, placement, or selection […]
Introduction to VAG Flow Control Technologies One of the most persistent challenges in municipal and industrial water infrastructure is the management of high-energy water streams without inducing catastrophic mechanical failure. Engineers frequently underestimate the destructive power of cavitation and water hammer, leading to premature valve degradation and pipeline ruptures. Within the global water sector, VAG […]
Introduction In the hierarchy of water and wastewater treatment plant assets, the electric valve actuator is often treated as a commodity—a “black box” expected to turn a valve stem upon command. However, incorrect specification or selection between major OEMs can lead to catastrophic process failures, unmanageable maintenance burdens, and integration nightmares. For decades, two manufacturers […]
Introduction One of the most persistent challenges in municipal and industrial fluid control is ensuring process safety during a catastrophic power loss. For decades, engineers relied heavily on mechanical spring-return mechanisms or complex hydraulic systems to force valves into a safe position when the grid went down. However, as automation complexity increases and space constraints […]
Introduction In the modern wastewater treatment landscape, the “ragging” phenomenon has evolved from a nuisance into a critical operational crisis. With the proliferation of non-dispersible synthetic wipes and fibrous materials entering collection systems, the reliable operation of downstream pumps, heat exchangers, and centrifuges hangs in the balance. For engineers and operators, the failure of a […]