The perfect formula for a wastewater treatment plant
October 2014Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
Energy consumption in the biological stage is one of the main cost drivers in wastewater treatment plants. This is mainly due to the oxygen blowers in the aeration process, thus optimisation of this process offers enormous potential for energy and cost savings.
More efficient aeration control
Oxygen blowers are often operated in a time-based manner or using only a simple form of oxygen control. Hence, in many cases the blowers run longer than necessary resulting in wasted energy. Endress+Hauser offers an aeration solution for dynamic control of blower hardware in accordance with the actual load: Liquicontrol.
It optimises operating times for nitrification and de-nitrification processes, which minimises energy consumption and operating costs. Moreover, Liquicontrol ensures accurate and reliable outlet values at all times.
Easy integration into existing plants
As a modular and scalable system, Liquicontrol can also be used for phosphate elimination. Precipitant pumps are controlled based on the actual load, offering significant savings on precipitant costs. Based on a PLC and individual signal interfaces, it is available as a standalone solution or as a master-slave configuration for larger plants with multiple aeration basins. This allows simple integration into an existing process control system and incorporation of existing instrumentation. What’s more, the remote access functionality offers flexible and effective process monitoring.
Process reliability and control
Due to continuous measurement and signal validation, Liquicontrol guarantees stable plant operation and reliable plant discharge. Should a measured value, or even a blower fail, the system switches the affected control loops to a failsafe condition and sends error or warning messages. The original plant operation settings can be restored at any time via selector switch. With Liquicontrol, plant personnel can switch between intermittent or continuous automatic mode and manual mode at any point, ensuring that they maintain complete control at all times.
Michael Szegedi, operating manager of Waldhausen Wastewater Treatment Plant had this to say about the system. “I was amazed by how fast and smoothly everything went. Within a few hours, the controller was up and running. After just a few weeks, we saw that we were able to operate the system at a very stable level while almost halving aeration times. Obviously, this saves energy.”
* Liquicontrol: optimising biological treatment at the highest level.
* Efficient: dynamic control of blower hardware and precipitant dosing pumps in accordance with the actual load.
* Reliable: constant signal and sensor validation ensure stable plant operation and reliable outlet values.
* Flexible: simultaneous control of nitrogen and phosphate elimination in multiple biological stages.
* Easy: quickly integrated into an existing process control system thanks to modern bus technologies.
* Convenient: intuitive menu and management of measured values and parameters – even with remote access.
Why measurement matters in smelting Endress+Hauser South Africa
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
South African smelters returning to operation after energy constraints face new demands for tighter control, better visibility and environmental compliance. Endress+Hauser explains how modern measurement technology supports safer, more efficient furnace operation and local beneficiation.
Read more...Sun tracking with pinpoint precision Senseca
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
Senseca has introduced the SEMS-2000 solar energy measurement system, a 2-axis solar tracker with pinpoint sun-pointing accuracy that automatically monitors direct, global and diffuse irradiance for unattended outdoor solar installations.
Read more...AMETEK expands 993X gas analyser series with explosion-proof enclosures
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
AMETEK Process Instruments has added ATEX and IECEx Zone 1-certified explosion-proof enclosures to its 993X series of gas analysers, enabling reliable installation in Zone 1 hazardous locations where purge gas is unavailable.
Read more...Why medical device leak testing matters for South Africa's MedTech future ATEQ South Africa
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
As South Africa works to grow local medical technology manufacturing, non-destructive leak and flow testing is becoming a strategic quality assurance tool, helping manufacturers verify device integrity, meet regulatory requirements and improve production efficiency.
Read more...Moving forward with reverse osmosis
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
Rising water costs and pressure on infrastructure are changing the way industries view reverse osmosis. G-Chem Aquacare is developing tailored, containerised solutions that make the technology more accessible for South African industry.
Read more...Meteorological data logger with up to 32 analogue sensors Senseca
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
Senseca has introduced its advanced data acquisition system for environmental monitoring, which has a universal data logger for up to 32 analogue, pulse and smart digital sensors.
Read more...Inspiration for times of change Endress+Hauser South Africa
News
More than 2000 customers, partners and experts gathered in Basel, Switzerland, for the Endress+Hauser Global Forum in April 2026. Under the theme of driving sustainable transformation together, the event combined keynote sessions on strategy, technology and the future of work with practical case studies from across the process industry.
Read more...Importance of gas analysis in the petrochemical industry Elemental Analytics
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
Gas analysis plays a critical role in petrochemical operations, supporting process optimisation, product quality and plant safety. As an experienced and expert gas analysis supplier, Elemental Analytics can provide the correct analyser and sample system package to meet individual plant requirements.
Read more...Optimise sludge treatment and reduce operational costs Endress+Hauser South Africa
Sensors & Transducers
Endress+Hauser’s inline measuring devices, the Proline Teqwave MW 300 and the Proline Teqwave MW 500, determine the total solids content of wastewater directly through microwave transmission.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version