1. Introduction In the hierarchy of fluid handling equipment within municipal and industrial sectors, dewatering pumps occupy a unique and critical position. Unlike permanently installed process pumps designed for steady-state operations within a treatment plant, dewatering pumps are often tasked with transient, emergency, or variable-duty cycles in uncontrolled environments. For the consulting engineer and plant […]
Introduction In the design of municipal wastewater treatment plants and pumping stations, the eccentric plug valve serves as the workhorse for isolation and throttling of sludge, slurry, and raw sewage. However, a persistent challenge for consulting engineers is navigating the specific mechanical nuances between major manufacturers. Often, specifications are copied from previous projects without a […]
1. Introduction In the water and wastewater (W/WW) utility sector, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems and Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI) serve as the central nervous system of critical infrastructure. Unlike discrete manufacturing, where operations are often contained within a single building, water utilities manage geographically dispersed assets ranging from remote lift stations and booster […]
Introduction In municipal water and wastewater treatment infrastructure, valves act as the critical control points for hydraulic stability, process isolation, and flow regulation. A surprising statistic in utility asset management reveals that while valves often constitute less than 10% of a plant’s capital cost, they account for upwards of 25% of the maintenance budget over […]
Introduction The substitution request is a familiar scenario for municipal consulting engineers and plant superintendents: a specification calls for a domestic standard, yet a contractor submits an international alternative to reduce capital costs. This creates a critical decision point regarding Crispin Valve vs DHC International for Butterfly Valves: Pros/Cons & Best-Fit Applications. While approximately 70% […]
Introduction In municipal and industrial water and wastewater systems, the control valve serves as the primary mechanism for hydraulic regulation. Unlike isolation valves, which are designed for infrequent open/close cycles, control valves must dynamically modulate flow and pressure to maintain system stability, protect aging infrastructure, and ensure consistent delivery of potable water or efficient processing […]
Introduction: The Role of AODD Pumps in Water & Wastewater Infrastructure In the complex hydraulic architecture of municipal and industrial water and wastewater treatment plants, centrifugal pumps often command the most attention due to their volume handling capabilities. However, Air-Operated Double Diaphragm (AODD) pumps serve as the critical auxiliary workhorses that enable the precise handling […]
Introduction In the municipal water and wastewater sector, the butterfly valve is the workhorse of isolation and flow control for large-diameter piping. However, a pervasive issue continues to plague capital improvement projects: the “specification inertia” where engineers copy-paste valve specifications without re-evaluating the current manufacturing landscape. This often leads to suboptimal lifecycle performance, particularly regarding […]
The Modified Ludzack-Ettinger Process: Optimizing Nitrogen Removal Fundamentals of the Modified Ludzack-Ettinger Process When it comes to nitrogen removal, the modified Ludzack-Ettinger process is like that secret ingredient in grandma's famous recipe — you know it makes all the difference, but you just can’t put your finger on why. This process isn’t just a fancy […]
Introduction to PLC & Control Platforms in Water & Wastewater In the municipal and industrial water sector, the Programmable Logic Controller (PLC)—often evolving into the Programmable Automation Controller (PAC)—serves as the central nervous system of treatment and distribution infrastructure. Unlike discrete manufacturing, where systems may shut down for retooling, water and wastewater treatment plants (WTPs […]