Modern society is more concerned about the environment for their children and grandchildren. Many attempts to make associated gains focus on doing things differently at an industrial level. One example is investing in wastewater treatment automation. This could make a significant difference now and in the future.
Here’s a closer view at the technologies used to treat wastewater. These innovations could be a boon for plant managers.
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Protecting resources near you
Many factors drive the decisions of decision-makers when they make wastewater treatment automation decisions. A Shannon Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade: 7.5 MillionIreland’s County Clare helped the facility to comply with European regulations.
The improvements took place over 16 months. They also focused on other aspects of plant like ventilation or odor treatment. The project team aimed to make the most of existing infrastructure to reduce carbon emissions.
The protection of the River Shannon and the community surrounding it was also a key focus.
It will not only help to protect local waterways, improve water quality in River Shannon, and improve the environment, but it will also accommodate housing, and other potential developments in Shannon, said Anthony Kavanaugh (infrastructure delivery lead for this project). The project has modernized the wastewater treatment infrastructure in Shannon and improved its performance, which will be of benefit to the community for many years.
In the news coverage, this development was also mentioned as a plan for new sewerage systems at five locations in County Clare where untreated waste is discharged. This is a global issue that is critical for the environment. The United States has the following: Wastewater treatment plants process billions of gallonsdaily, consuming approximately 25 gallons. Yet, approximately 25 times that amount of water is left untreated, which can lead to major pollution.
Meeting Waste Disposal Mandates
Even though a manufacturer may not have a full-fledged water treatment facility, it may still need steps to remove contaminants depending on what was made at the facility. The U.S. 65 pollutants and pollutant types are taken into consideration toxic. These substances were prioritized by federal authorities in 126 groups. Manufacturers who deal with these substances must separate them so that the resultant wastewater can legally be disposed of in the sewer system.
Hire a service provider to remove toxic pollutants from the manufacturing plant. This can be costly, especially if your company’s main business model is to make products with these substances. It is possible to have machines on-site that separate the chemicals in order to comply with government regulations.
Previously, even though specialized equipment did a lot of the work, the process of separating pollutants was laborious and involved many steps. Automation is changing this. In minutes, machines can separate and encapsulate contaminants to produce a dewatered and compliant sludge.
The clean liquid can then be released into the sewer system using bag filters or a watering table. Manufacturers might choose to further filter it to prepare it to be used in other factory processes. Water that has been separated from pollutants or reused ends up benefiting the environment.
Manufacturing plants have other options to make progress for the betterment of the planet. According to statistics, at least 75% of environmental managers achieve a shared goal.With people from other departments, you can reach common goals. Modern automation can help you save energy if that is your goal.
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Real-time Visibility
Employees at treatment plants who are well-informed about what is happening at the facility mean that there is less chance of accidents that could cause damage to the environment. The people involved in Lima, Ohio’s upgrade to its wastewater treatment facility were anticipating many benefits.
Matt Fielder, a process controller specialist, spoke about some of the challenges that existed before the upgrades were made.
Fielder explained that equipment was from the 1990s and control systems were almost 30 years old. We needed full control. System upgrade with better data insights We use these reporting capabilities to increase our capacity, ease maintenance, meet EPA requirements, and provide additional information.
An automation company was brought in to help increase the facility’s capacity from 53 to 70,000,000 gallons per hour. The benefits did not stop there. Remote-monitoring systems now allow for remote maintenance and troubleshooting. Previously, employees had to be present on the ground during events like overflows in a nearby river.
The system also provides real-time data collection and automated reporting. Plant managers can track past events and analyze the data to determine whether corrective action or safeguards are being taken.
After the plant upgrades, facility managers noticed a decrease in river discharges. This confirms the environmental benefits of the plant upgrades.
Improving Quality Control
Automating wastewater treatment automation can have a positive effect on water quality. This is a win-win situation for the environment. People and other living creatures often suffer from the negative effects of wastewater that has not been treated with the right quality control.
According to statistics, the drinking water sources for around Fecal contamination is a problem that affects 1.8 billion peopleThese water products can cause serious illness to those who use them. Things can get more complicated due to the fact that different quality standards are in place depending on the intended usage of the water.
The liquid used to clean streets does not need to meet any specific standards. Water used in the pharmaceutical industry is subject to advanced filtration because of the danger of contamination. Automation can play a significant part in ensuring plants meet quality standards that protect the environment and planets inhabitants.
Seoul, South Korea: Officials approved a long term plan Automate water treatment and quality monitoringArtificial intelligence (AI). The city currently has four of these plants and the goal is for them to all be converted into intelligent water reuse centres by 2030. The AI system will automatically adjust parameters to improve quality and collect data.
These upgrades will also alleviate human burdens. The existing system requires workers to manually go through the data and make judgements based on what is found. Officials believe that automation will improve efficiency and water quality, as well as reduce worker intervention.
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Water & Wastewater Treatment Automation for Earth Protection
These examples are compelling reasons to build a water treatment facility with fully or partially-automated elements. It takes time and money to get the details right, but it is worth the effort if you are dedicated to the goal. It is worth the effort to learn about all options before you make a decision.
People who work in wastewater treatment are likely to have to ensure that their operations do no harm to the environment. This is due to the growing focus on environmental sustainability. Automation can help with this and show how it is possible to help the Earth by using thoughtfully selected automated solutions.
