Processing, December 2015
Ask Dan the Wastewater Wizard Examine equipment needs and chemical usage before determining facility next steps System evaluation helps improve wastewater treatment The two following case examples illustrate the importance of a sound system evaluation prior to any equipment purchase and how a clear understanding of chemical cost and performance can benefit the bottom line Issuing purchase orders is not always the right answer During a recent overall facility survey a consulting team gave serious consideration to the equipment purchase question The initial task was to take steps that optimized the wastewater treatment to maintain discharge permit compliance The overriding consideration in these discussions was whether additional wastewater treatment process units such as secondary treatment were required to maintain discharge permit compliance After establishing the procedures we started looking at any needs for specific equipment purchases In particular purchase of an equalization tank and a sludge dewatering press filtration process unit were considered and rejected for the reasons discussed below Decision parameters To decide whether to purchase an equalization tank we analyzed the quality of the treated wastewater collected or composited over a 24 hour period in a wastewater composite sampler which is the dischargepermit requirement The analysis showed that over a 24 hour period quality treatment in the composite sampler achieved equalization No equalization tank had been required in the previous 15 years and none was needed now Turning to the sludge dewatering equipment we first looked at what equipment and tanks were already on site Justification for any purchase would be based on the prospect of a more effective way By Daniel Theobold 10 December 2015 Water Waste Processing www waterwaste com The chemical supply company unfortunately had been derelict in its duty A usual first idea is to optimize wastewater treatment while maintaining discharge permit compliance Photo iStock Avatar_ 023
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