PROCESS AUDITING AND DIAGNOSTICS

We addressed a plant-wide analysis of the effects of solid separation on the whole process energy balance. The plant was equipped with primary settling tanks followed by step-feed activated sludge. Grit removal was not performed properly. Due to the limitations in maintenance and access to grit chambers and primary basins, we analyzed the effect of their performance (in terms of solids removal) on the energy intensity of the whole process. Using our energy benchmarking tools we modeled the whole plant and projected the biogas energy recovery and provided a quantitative basis for the client’s business case on capital improvement.

AERATION SYSTEM ANALYSIS

Our experience on clean water tests, as well as off-gas measurements provides the actual values of oxygen transfer needed to properly model and describe the process operations. We developed real-time self-calibrating off-gas analyzers that can be used in supervised or unsupervised mode. These analyzers allow monitoring the aeration efficiency parameters and provide guidance for calculating energy consumption and wastage. Our analyses yielded substantial savings to our clients, in excess of millions per year

MODELING AND BENCHMARKING

Wastewater treatment is an energy intensive process, and aeration has the highest weight on the overall process energy footprint. Energy benchmarking of aeration systems is a key analysis for quantifying the evolution of process energy cost with time, therefore for minimizing overall the plant energy use and its carbon footprint.

Our experience includes: modeling process dynamics, energy consumption, power demand, carbon footprint, process cost analysis, life-cycle assessment.