Energy consumption at the biological stage is one of the main cost drivers in wastewater treatment plants, due mainly to the oxygen blowers in the aeration process. 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 fashion or using only a simple form of oxygen control. In many cases the blowers run longer than necessary resulting in wasted energy. Endress+Hauser now offer an aeration solution for dynamic control of blower hardware in accordance with the actual load, this is 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. This modular and scalable system 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 stand-alone solution or as a master-slave configuration for larger plants with multiple aeration basins. This allows simple integration into existing process control systems and incorporation of existing instrumentation. The remote access functionality offers flexible and effective process monitoring.
Process reliability and control
Thanks to continuous measurement and signal validation, Liquicontrol guarantees stable plant operation and reliable plant discharge. Should a blower fail to operate within set-point, the system switches the affected control loop to failsafe and signals an alarm. The original plant operation settings can be restored at any time via selector switch and plant personnel can switch between automatic and manual mode at any point, ensuring complete control at all times.
Loop signature Part 2-6
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
This instalment of the Loop Signature series introduces frequency plot theory as a foundation for understanding process dynamics, explaining Bode plots, dynamic gain, phase lag and their relationship to control loop tuning.
Read more...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...The rise of software-defined brownfield automation Schneider Electric South Africa
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure Automation Expert is enabling brownfield operators to modernise incrementally, decoupling control logic from hardware to bridge legacy equipment and future-ready operations without disrupting production.
Read more...Upgrading alarm systems for critical industries Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Omniflex’s OMNI16R alarm annunciator platform provides a direct replacement for legacy CSA systems such as MPAS 90 and SA9100, enabling operators in oil and gas, nuclear and power generation to modernise alarm infrastructure without sacrificing the clarity required for safe operations.
Read more...How DCS can step off the hardware obsolescence treadmill Schneider Electric South Africa
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Schneider Electric argues that virtualising DCS environments breaks the cycle of hardware obsolescence, giving plant operators a smarter path to lifecycle modernisation without production disruption.
Read more...Loop signature Part 2-6
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
The Loop Signature series turns to frequency plot theory, explaining Bode open-loop plots and how dynamic gain, phase lag and crossover frequency can be extracted from test data to inform more accurate control loop tuning.
Read more...PC-based control in surgery Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Researchers at the University of Basel are using Beckhoff PC-based control technology to develop a miniature laser robot for minimally invasive bone surgery.
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.
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