Introduction In municipal water distribution and industrial fluid handling, the “valve selection paradox” is a frequent challenge for consulting engineers: the most expensive valve upfront is often the cheapest over 20 years, yet the wrong hydraulic application can destroy even the highest-quality equipment in weeks. A surprising statistic from hydraulic efficiency studies suggests that up […]
Introduction In municipal and industrial hydraulic systems, the management of high pressure differentials presents a distinct physical challenge: cavitation. When water accelerates through a valve restriction to the point where the static pressure drops below the fluid’s vapor pressure, vapor bubbles form. As the fluid recovers pressure downstream, these bubbles collapse with violent force, generating […]
Introduction In the landscape of municipal and industrial water and wastewater treatment, the dry pit pump configuration remains a cornerstone of reliability, maintainability, and hydraulic versatility. Unlike submersible installations where the pump and motor are submerged in the process fluid, dry pit installations separate the fluid handling equipment from the wet well. The pump is […]
Introduction The sudden urgency surrounding PFAS/PFOA compliance, combined with the perennial need for taste, odor, and organics removal, has placed Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) technology at the forefront of utility capital planning. For many consulting engineers and plant directors, the challenge is no longer just selecting a media type, but specifying the mechanical vessel systems […]
1. Introduction In the context of municipal and industrial water and wastewater treatment, the term “sleeve valve” primarily refers to valves utilizing a flexible elastomeric sleeve as the flow control element. While nomenclature varies—often overlapping with pinch valves or specific energy-dissipating inline valves—the fundamental engineering principle remains consistent: a resilient, tubular sleeve isolates the operating […]
Introduction to Submersible Pump Specification in Municipal and Industrial Systems The submersible solids-handling pump represents the backbone of modern municipal wastewater collection systems, storm water management, and industrial effluent transport. Unlike dry-pit configurations where the prime mover is separated from the hydraulic fluid, the submersible pump integrates the motor and hydraulic end into a single, […]
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 […]
1. Introduction In the context of municipal water and wastewater treatment, energy consumption represents one of the largest operational expenditures (OPEX) for utilities. Within these facilities, rotating equipment—specifically pumps, blowers, compressors, and mixers—accounts for the vast majority of this energy usage. The primary mechanism for controlling this equipment, optimizing energy efficiency, and managing process variables […]
Introduction In the municipal water and wastewater sector, the failure of a critical valve actuator is rarely a minor inconvenience; it is often a precursor to permit violations, process upsets, or catastrophic flooding. For decades, design engineers and plant superintendents have faced a polarized choice when specifying electric actuation: adhere to traditional domestic manufacturing philosophies […]