Water & Wastewater Treatment

18 Water & Wastewater Treatment March 2014 Oliver Grievson, Director at Sensors for Water Interest Group commented: "Instrumentation, automation & control are going to prove to be key factors in AMP6 as the water industry has to deliver new and innovative ways of operating its wastewater treatment works. WWT's new Innovation Hub will help in delivering these aims – revealing new technologies, highlighting events and identifying funding streams and other support available to companies delivering innovation. Innovation has always been a key part of WWT and with the redesign its importance is only strengthened." WWT is changing. We gave selected readers a sneak preview of the new magazine and asked what they thought. "Innovation has always been a key part of WWT and with the redesign its importance is only strengthened." BRAND NEW LOOK LAUNCHING AT IWEX 2014 PRE-REGISTER FREE AT WWW.IWEX.CO.UK WWT-teaserad6-88x270mm.indd 1 17/02/2014 09:55 www.teekaycouplings.com tel: +44 (0)1494 679500 INNOVATING SOLUTIONS FOR THE FUTURE OF THE UK WATER INDUSTRY .M536 7P439M Langham Industrial Controls have been supplying the water industry with products and services for over 20 years and are confident that Simon's appointment will ensure a bright future for the company. Simon is passionate about continuing the work of his parents and looks forward to driving continued steady growth. Nigel c Claire welcome their son Simon Langham to the Board of Directors wwwdlanghamcontrolsdcom MEET SIMON Langham Industrial Controls Ltd. Langham Industrial Controls Ltd. FLOW AND PRESSURE MEASUREMENT WATER MANAGEMENT AND DATA 19 March 2014 Water & Wastewater Treatment O verseeing a widespread and complex asset base means UK water industry operators are always seeking methods to ascertain whether an element within their infrastructure might fail before it actually does so. Such intelligence helps prevent potentially costly incidents and avoids customer complaints if, for example, service delivery is interrupted. As a result, obtaining and analysing data from water company processes is becoming ever more critical, with strategic decisions needing to be made without delay, based on intelligence from live data. The successful measurement of important process variables (PV) has been undertaken by the UK water industry for many years. However, as technological innovation opens up more and more possibilities for the gathering of data-related intelligence, it is worth asking what water companies should be assessing for their current and future needs. Collection and conversion The optimisation of the current and future delivery of ever-increasing volumes of data from across the water company remains a challenge. This includes collating previously untapped measuring sources and the conversion of such data into useful information that can benefit both day-to-day operational objectives, as well as underpin strategic long-term planning. This presents a new kind of challenge and one the industry should be looking to tackle, in partnership with trusted technology vendors. Data and information strategy influences critical areas such as cost control, technology choice, efficiency targets and regulatory responsibilities and it sits at the very centre of the service a water company delivers. It really is that important. Widespread impact There could, for example, be a requirement for data to be extracted from process points which have in the past been deemed too expensive, difficult or not practical to measure. Adding even more measurement points creates the risk of data overload. Operators need to clearly define what is considered useful; a decision that may well involve the collection of process variables contributing to a single information point. An example of the data challenge is highlighted by advanced digestion systems. Information is a potential requirement on sludge flows, therefore there needs to be a measurement made at several points. The need to retrofit existing plants to ensure they have this capability has led to technology manufacturers working closely with the water industry to trial different measurement principles to deliver fit for purpose measurement solutions which can deliver the desired information. The criteria for such measurement solutions is such that they are measured against the total cost of ownership – including installation, maintenance, and ongoing calibration if required. The subsequent data retrieval has therefore to be delivered to the operator accurately and at a practical cost. Likewise, the SMART waste network and pumping stations form an integral part of the recyclable wastewater network. Ensuring the network is SMART means clear visibility if there are any disruptions to the network. Failure of these networks can cause the water company to lose Service Incentive Mechanism (SIM) ratings, or in a worst case scenario cause a spillage resulting in pollution to the environment. Data-driven efficiencies The UK already has excellent sewage infrastructure and there is no need to replace or dramatically increase the number of pumping stations. However, essential data is required from these existing pumping stations so that operationally critical questions can be accurately answered. They would include: n Are the pumps running? n Did the pump perform as expected? n What is the efficiency of each pump? Currently there are several examples where technology suppliers are working with water companies to trial technologies that give an indication of pump flow rate, or an accurate measurement of pump flow, as opposed to a derived and theoretical value. Such aims present real challenges for the technology. Such technologies need to Making the most of data innovation Obtaining and analysing data from processes is becoming ever more critical to the UK water industry Technology solutions are providing lower-cost access to increasing volumes of critical data. Siemens Industry's business manager for the water sector, Andrew Reeks, and Oliver Grievson, Anglian Water's flow compliance & regulatory efficiency manager, explores the issue this raises for the UK water industry Technology solutions are providing lower-cost access to increasing volumes of critical data. Siemens Industry's business manager for the water sector, Andrew Reeks, and Oliver Grievson, Anglian Water's flow compliance & regulatory efficiency manager, explores the issue this raises for the UK water industry u 20

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