Of these, at least the first five are actually already being used at the current time
and are no longer in the research and development phase for potential use in WwTW
of the future so, as we can see, the STOWA approach has become somewhat of a
reality.
As well as producing resources, there is the drive towards energy and process
efficiency, and there are a number of different tools enabling this, including instrumentation based control systems, as well as multivariate process control [21]. However, the overall most important thing, from an instrumentation and control point of
view within the WTW, is having the information to hand to make informed operational decisions.
3.2 Measuring and Controlling the Wastewater Treatment
Process
The WwTW can be split up into a number of different processes which are independent of the size of the works. However, in the main, the measurement and control
processes are restricted to the medium and large treatment works, as the value of
smart systems only becomes cost-efficient on the systems where economies of scale
exist. This will govern not only where smart systems are installed on the WwTW but,
in reality, the entire wastewater treatment system. This has been one of the stumbling
blocks for the adoption of smart water systems across the wastewater industry.
Splitting the wastewater treatment system across its component parts, we can see
the drivers of instrumentation and control systems across the works.
3.2.1 Measuring and Controlling Preliminary and Primary Treatment
Processes
The purpose of the preliminary and primary treatment processes are threefold:
• Remove bulk debris from the incoming waste stream through the screening
process.
• Remove grit.
• Manage flows by balancing and/or storm separation.
Looking at each of these processes in turn, there are potentials for increased
efficiency of operation in some areas only.
Looking at the screening process, it is only there to remove solids, and the simple
control system is designed to clean the screens when they become blocked
(or blinded). The traditional measurement and control system look at differential
levels up, and downstream of the screen, and when the differential increases to a
preconfigured level, it initiates the screen cleaning process.
Monitoring and Controlling a Smarter Wastewater Treatment System: A UK. . .
127
and are no longer in the research and development phase for potential use in WwTW
of the future so, as we can see, the STOWA approach has become somewhat of a
reality.
As well as producing resources, there is the drive towards energy and process
efficiency, and there are a number of different tools enabling this, including instrumentation based control systems, as well as multivariate process control [21]. However, the overall most important thing, from an instrumentation and control point of
view within the WTW, is having the information to hand to make informed operational decisions.
3.2 Measuring and Controlling the Wastewater Treatment
Process
The WwTW can be split up into a number of different processes which are independent of the size of the works. However, in the main, the measurement and control
processes are restricted to the medium and large treatment works, as the value of
smart systems only becomes cost-efficient on the systems where economies of scale
exist. This will govern not only where smart systems are installed on the WwTW but,
in reality, the entire wastewater treatment system. This has been one of the stumbling
blocks for the adoption of smart water systems across the wastewater industry.
Splitting the wastewater treatment system across its component parts, we can see
the drivers of instrumentation and control systems across the works.
3.2.1 Measuring and Controlling Preliminary and Primary Treatment
Processes
The purpose of the preliminary and primary treatment processes are threefold:
• Remove bulk debris from the incoming waste stream through the screening
process.
• Remove grit.
• Manage flows by balancing and/or storm separation.
Looking at each of these processes in turn, there are potentials for increased
efficiency of operation in some areas only.
Looking at the screening process, it is only there to remove solids, and the simple
control system is designed to clean the screens when they become blocked
(or blinded). The traditional measurement and control system look at differential
levels up, and downstream of the screen, and when the differential increases to a
preconfigured level, it initiates the screen cleaning process.
Monitoring and Controlling a Smarter Wastewater Treatment System: A UK. . .
127