Tag: water treatment
Introduction One of the most frequent points of failure in decentralized wastewater treatment is the misalignment between the chosen technology and the operational reality of the municipality. Engineers often design for steady-state compliance, overlooking the fact that small-to-mid-sized plants—ranging from 0.05 to 2.0 MGD—often face the most volatile hydraulic loading and the leanest staffing levels. […]
1. Introduction Water softening is a critical unit process in both municipal water treatment and industrial process water preparation. It addresses the presence of dissolved calcium, magnesium, and other polyvalent cations that constitute “hardness.” For municipal consulting engineers and utility decision-makers, the selection of water softening systems is rarely a simple procurement exercise; it is […]
Introduction In municipal and industrial wastewater treatment, volume reduction is the single most effective method for controlling downstream costs. By thickening Waste Activated Sludge (WAS) from a typical 0.5–1.0% solids concentration to 5–7%, facilities can reduce the hydraulic volume sent to digesters or holding tanks by up to 85%. However, selecting the right equipment to […]
Introduction In the design of municipal water and wastewater treatment systems, the distinction between static storage and dynamic hydraulic control is often the line between long-term reliability and catastrophic failure. Engineers frequently encounter scenarios where fluid containment overlaps with pressure management, leading to critical decisions regarding vessel specification. A common point of confusion arises when […]
Complete Guide to Reverse Osmosis Filtration Systems Are you curious about how a reverse osmosis filtration system can transform your water quality? In this complete guide, we’ll explore the ins and outs of reverse osmosis technology, including its benefits, applications in both municipal and wastewater treatment, and essential components of these advanced water purification systems. […]
Introduction Clarification remains the ubiquitous workhorse of municipal and industrial wastewater treatment, yet the specification of clarifier mechanisms is frequently reduced to a “copy-paste” exercise from previous projects. This oversight often leads to substantial long-term consequences: hydraulic instability, premature drive failure, and chronic solids carryover that threatens permit compliance. In the United States market, two […]
Introduction For municipal and industrial engineers, few instruments cause as much operational frustration as the humble pH/ORP analyzer. Despite being fundamental to process control—dictating coagulation efficiency, biological health, and disinfection compliance—these electrochemical sensors are notorious for drift, fouling, and frequent replacement requirements. In many wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), it is not uncommon to find up […]
INTRODUCTION In the landscape of wastewater treatment, the secondary clarifier is often the ultimate bottleneck of the activated sludge process. While biological reactors get the glory for nutrient removal, the clarifier is the final gatekeeper of effluent quality. A surprising statistic in the industry is that nearly 50% of clarifier performance issues are not related […]
Introduction In the municipal water and wastewater treatment sector, the handling of hazardous gases remains one of the most critical safety challenges facing plant operators and engineers. While alternative disinfection methods such as ultraviolet (UV) light and on-site hypochlorite generation have gained traction, the use of gaseous chlorine (Cl2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ammonia (NH3) […]
Introduction In the transition from traditional cast iron sluice gates to modern fabricated stainless steel and aluminum slide gates, municipal engineers often find themselves evaluating two dominant North American manufacturers. The analysis of Golden Harvest vs Whipps – C for Gates: Pros/Cons & Best-Fit Applications is a critical exercise for any design engineer or utility […]