Tag: Monitoring

1. Introduction In the municipal water and wastewater sector, the “nervous system” of any treatment facility or distribution network is its automation system. While Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and HMI software provide the raw computing power and visualization, the successful implementation of these technologies relies heavily on the Systems Integrator (SI) or the Automation System […]

1) INTRODUCTION A staggering 60% of pump failures in municipal and industrial wastewater facilities are attributed not to mechanical defects, but to misapplication—selecting the wrong technology for the hydraulic and rheological conditions. Engineers frequently face a critical decision point when designing chemical feed systems, sludge transfer lines, or difficult process fluid loops: should they specify […]

Introduction For municipal and industrial treatment plant engineers, sludge handling often represents the single largest line item in the operational budget. With biosolids disposal costs frequently accounting for 30% to 50% of a facility’s total operating expenses, the efficiency of the dewatering process is not merely a technical detail—it is a critical financial lever. A […]

Introduction For municipal and industrial engineers, few operational challenges are as persistent and costly as the fouling of pumping equipment. The modern wastewater stream has evolved significantly over the last two decades, with the proliferation of non-dispersible synthetics (wipes) and an increase in solids loading. Consequently, “ragging” has shifted from an occasional nuisance to a […]

Introduction For municipal and industrial engineers, the centrifugal pump is the heartbeat of water conveyance and treatment infrastructure. However, a staggering number of pump installations fail to meet their expected lifecycle due to specification errors rather than manufacturing defects. Industry statistics suggest that over 60% of pump failures are attributed to operating outside the Preferred […]

INTRODUCTION In municipal and industrial wastewater treatment, the sludge dewatering process represents one of the highest operational expenditures (OPEX) outside of aeration. Engineers often focus heavily on the selection of the dewatering unit itself—the centrifuge, belt filter press, or screw press—while treating the feed and conveyance pumps as ancillary components. However, data from utility asset […]

Introduction   The escalation of non-dispersible solids in municipal wastewater—specifically the “ragging” phenomenon caused by synthetic wipes—has transformed solids reduction from a luxury to a necessity. For consulting engineers and plant operators, the failure to adequately protect downstream pumps and dewatering equipment results in catastrophic downtime. Industry data suggests that unscheduled maintenance due to ragging […]

1. INTRODUCTION The “flushable” wipe epidemic and the increasing fibrous load in modern wastewater have fundamentally changed the operational risk profile for lift stations and headworks. For municipal engineers and plant directors, the cost of derragging pumps is no longer just a maintenance nuisance—it is a significant operational expenditure (OPEX) driver and a safety hazard. […]

Introduction One of the most persistent inefficiencies in modern wastewater treatment plants is the misapplication of mixing energy. While aeration systems typically consume the lion’s share of plant power, submersible mixers often operate continuously in anoxic zones, sludge holding tanks, and equalization basins, accumulating massive lifecycle costs. A surprising industry statistic suggests that up to […]

Introduction   For municipal and industrial treatment plant engineers, solids handling frequently represents the single largest operational cost center, often accounting for 40% to 50% of total plant O&M budgets. While liquid stream processes often garner the most design attention, the failure to properly specify dewatering equipment creates a bottleneck that can jeopardize regulatory compliance […]