AI in the sewer.

Millions of litres of wastewater generated by households and businesses flow unnoticed through the sewer system to their destination, the wastewater treatment plant. Identifying and locating problems in the underground system has been challenging, but now a system created by the Finnish start-up, Neuroflux, generates automatic alarms when they detect sewage in the wrong place.

A small start-up is an exceptional operator in a field that has traditionally been only for water utilities and their large automation providers. Working simultaneously with many water utilities comes with certain benefits: good ideas spread quickly from one utility to the next.

"The small and agile team has also been our strength", Julia Kariniem smiles. "You can easily chat with us, and we are able to react to changing needs in stride. European water utilities do amazing work to keep water flowing smoothly for all of us, and it is very rewarding to be a part of it."

Inspiration for the idea was originally sparked by an innovation competition organized by the Helsinki Region Environmental Services Authority HSY in 2016. The event took place at a local wastewater treatment plant, where water engineers and programmers gathered to think about how to best take advantage of the utilities' network measurements, such as water flow and energy data.

"Data visualisations for water utilities began to take shape during the hackathon, and the results were considered so interesting that the development continued in a project with HSY", explains Julia Kariniemi.

Sewers go quiet at night
Sewer infrastructure consists of hundreds of pipe kilometres as well as pumping stations that push wastewater forward until it reaches its final destination, the treatment plant.

Even sewers follow our daily rhythms: morning showers increase the amount of wastewater, and at night the sewer goes quiet too. Because wastewater also follows these familiar patterns, visualisation is a useful tool for water utilities, offering valuable information about unusual events in the network.

Visibility under the ground
Analytics developed quickly alongside the visualisations, providing the water utility with automatic alarms for patterns that indicate problems in the network. "There are hundreds of pumping stations in the Helsinki region alone", Kariniemi points out. "It is impossible to monitor each measurement manually."

Growing interest from other water utilities led to the foundation of the new company. Today, almost half of the Finnish population is covered through the Neuroflux service through their water utilities. This year, the system was adopted by the 2021 EU Green Capital Lahti.

Problems in the sewers have direct consequences for the environment. If there is a blockage in a pumping station, wastewater does not move forward in the network and may spill uncontrollably in the surrounding environment. Sometimes it works the other way: water leaks into the sewer from rain, lakes, or other bodies of water, stretching the treatment plant's capacity and wasting resources. "Improving wastewater management is a motivating goal, because it has significance for both the environment and the community", Kariniemi describes.

@neurofluxltd @hsy_fi @GreenLahti2021 #PAuto #Wastewater

Final effluent monitoring.

Meteor Communications has been awarded a multi-year shared framework agreement by Scottish Water for the provision of multi-parameter wastewater quality final effluent monitoring. The contract has an estimated value of £2 million (€2.34m) and follows a competitive tendering process which began in November 2020.

ESNet Kiosk System

Bidders were invited to tender for the supply of monitoring systems that are well suited to continuous remote monitoring of final effluent. Flexibility was required in terms of the monitoring parameters; the systems should be able to operate on low (ideally solar) power in a turbulent final effluent discharge. Secure access to cloud-based data was a key requirement, in addition to minimal levels of maintenance.

The data provided by the systems will allow operators to better understand plant performance and resilience, and provide further insights into performance trends, events and pollution incidents.

Following the contract award, Meteor Communications will supply ESNET (Environmental Sensor NETwork) portable and kiosk systems in conjunction with Xylem EXO multiparameter sondes to measure final effluent water quality. The ESNET systems met the tender requirements and are ideal for this application. Meteor’s MD Matt Dibbs explains: “Historically, the installation cost and on-site maintenance requirements of final effluent monitors at smaller wastewater plants have been preclusive, but the development of ESNET systems has meant that water companies can now equip smaller rural plants with a comprehensive monitoring capability.

“There are hundreds of ESNET systems delivering water quality data from all over the UK, providing customers with high-resolution, real-time, accurate data to manage their resources with greater confidence.

“In addition to fixed applications, portable ESNETs can also be deployed in minutes; providing users with the opportunity to easily move the monitors from site to site in order to conduct short-term investigations and assessments.”

This contract award builds on the existing ESNET network in place with Scottish Water which is already providing data that can be viewed securely using the MeteorCloud™ portal on a tablet, PC or smartphone. The Meteor Data Centre is integrated with Scottish Water SCADA as well as upcoming platforms to deliver a futureproof solution.

As part of the framework, Meteor will provide training to Scottish Water personnel to build a comprehensive knowledge base around water quality monitoring to enhance understanding of works performance.

@MeteorComms @scottish_water @_Enviro_News #PAuto #Effluent

Twin cable with integrated pneumatic hoses.

HRADIL Spezialkabel  has introduced a new hybrid cable which has been specially designed for the controlling of robots, such as the KASRO® sewer rehabilitation robots, and for their power and pneumatic supply. Four 4 mm PA pneumatic hoses are combined with the copper wires to form one cable, a fifth PUR hose of 16 mm is the twin. Technical construction: 6 x 1.5 mm2, 17 x 0.5 mm2, 4 x (2 x 0.25 mm²), 4 x PA hose 2.5 x 4.0 mm², PUR hose 13 x 16 mm².

What makes the new twin cable so special is that it combines an incredible packing density with a very small diameter. The high mechanical loads - in the form of tensile and tear stress as well as alternating bending stress – which are brought to bear on the inner components of the cable during sewer rehabilitation work are no problem for HRADIL. An extremely robust outer jacket made from a particarly strong PUR special compound provides stability to the assembly and protects it against abrasive wear. HRADIL’s twin cable is resistant against oil and petroleum and also against ozone and UV radiation as well as cooling fluids and lubricants.

This twin cable is suitable for use as a replacement cable for KASRO® working and rehabilitation robots. Thanks to the selection of high performance materials and state of the art cable engineering, HRADIL’s twin cable wins points for significantly enhanced bending radii, obptimized cable diameters and longer service life.

 #hradil #Waste

Volatile organic compound monitor.

Lakeshore Environmental (USA), has chosen a handheld, entry-level TigerLT photoionisation detector (PID) from Ion Science to replace an outdated and unsupported competitor instrument. The USA-based business is using the volatile organic compound (VOC) monitor to screen soil and indoor air, and to measure influent and effluent concentrations in soil vapour extraction systems.

Offering worldwide intrinsic safety (IS) certification for use in potentially explosive atmospheres, the recently launched TigerLT is a streamlined, lower cost version of Ion Science’s well-proven and popular Tiger instrument.

David Hazebrouck, President of Lakeshore Environmental comments: “When our old PID was unable to hold calibration, the manufacturer could no longer service or stock parts for it which I found unacceptable. When presented with alternative instruments from other companies, the Ion Science TigerLT seemed to offer the best value for money and could tolerate moisture which was a key feature for our business.
“We are currently using the instrument once per week on average with readings recorded in field notebooks. So far, it is proving easy to use, reliable and accurate."

The TigerLT incorporates Ion Science’s market-leading MiniPID 2 technology with advanced patented fence electrode system. The three-electrode format ensures increased resistance to humidity and contamination for ultimate reliability and accuracy in the field, as well as considerably reduced drift issues and extended run time.

With a detection range of 0- 5,000 parts per million (ppm) with a 0.1 ppm minimum sensitivity, TigerLT offers a response time of just two seconds and is equally quick to clear down.

Simple to operate and service, TigerLT allows easy access to the lamp and sensor whilst the batteries can be safely replaced in the field. It also meets required ATEX, IECEx, UL and CSA standards.

The TigerLT six pin MiniPID detector cell with anti-contamination design dramatically extends run time in the field. Low cost filters and lamps can be easily changed in minutes, minimising downtime.

The instrument features long life rechargeable Li-ion batteries which give up to 24 hour usage. Fast battery charging allows it to be fully charged in 6.5 hours, while up to eight hours of use can be achieved from 1.5 hours of charging time. Performing basic functions does not require complicated set up procedures using a PC.

TigerLT features a protective, removable boot for harsh environments and large, clear back-lit display allows for easy viewing in any light condition. It is IP 65 rated against water ingress. An integrated torch is designed for directing the instrument’s probe into dimly lit areas. Other features include a loud 95 dB audible alarm and multiple language support.

@ionscience #environment

Drainage specialists prefer to rent.

With a customer base spread across the English counties, Beds, Bucks, Cambs, Herts & Northants, Haze Cleansing Services specialises in the disposal of liquid waste, cctv surveys and the unblocking and refurbishment of drains. In the past, the company has owned inspection cameras, but MD Alex Frankland says: “We have started to rent the latest cameras from Ashtead Technology and have found this to be a better approach.”

Typically, Haze supplies licensed liquid waste disposal and cleaning services for septic tanks, oil interceptors, car parks, road gullies and grease traps. This work often necessitates the remote inspection of underground pipes, and in the past Haze used its own remote crawler for this work. However, the crawler recently fell into an underground void and one of Haze’s clients tried to remove it with excessive force, which resulted in substantial damage to the crawler. Alex was then confronted with the decision to purchase a replacement or to hire inspection equipment when required.

“We had previously hired an i-Cam Solo Pro pushrod from Ashtead,” Alex explains, “so we were already aware of the benefits of renting, and it seemed sensible to continue doing so because it gave us the flexibility to hire the most appropriate instrument for each job and because this ensured that the latest equipment would be available clean, checked and ready for work every time.”

After switching to instrument rental, the Haze Cleansing Services team have benefited from the flexibility that this approach offers. “Both the pipe diameter and the length of run can vary enormously so it is very useful to be able to pick an instrument from Ashtead’s fleet that can do the job effectively,” Alex says. “This ensures that we are able to quickly identify root damage, dropped collars or breaks, and supply clients with extremely good quality images.”

Summarising, Ashtead’s Jay Neermul says: “The loss of a crawler meant that Haze Cleansing Services were able to decide whether they should purchase a replacement or simply rent the best inspection equipment for each job. They chose to rent because this provides greater flexibility, avoids capital costs and retains access to the latest technology.”

@ashteadtech @HazeCleansingSe 

New transportable crawler inspection camera can be hired!

Traditionally, pipeline inspection cameras operate from a power source in a vehicle or conveniently located building. However, the Mini-Cam Proteus crawler camera inspection system can now be hired from Ashtead Technology with a battery power pack option. “This means that the inspection work of our customers will not be limited by locations lacking power or with limited access,” says Ashtead’s Jay Neermul.

By operating the Proteus from a battery pack, the unit can be operated for over 5 hours. The complete self-contained system can be mounted on a trolley providing enormous flexibility in the inspection of pipes, culverts, cavities, drains and sewers. As a result, the system is completely transportable and extremely quiet – an important consideration in residential locations.

The Proteus features a variety of key features such as a built-in lowering device, a pan/rotate camera and a back-eye with auxiliary light, as well as a built-in digital control unit for capturing colour mpeg video and jpeg still images. Importantly, this final feature means that it is not necessary to hire an additional recording device.

In order to expand the range of pipes that the Proteus can inspect, the unit has a built-in camera elevator and can inspect pipes from 150mm in diameter up 600mm. With a 6-wheel drive the Proteus is supplied with three different wheel size options, and a novel wheel-lock mechanism enables quick and simple wheel changes. A portable cable reel is supplied as standard with a minimum of 120m of rugged cable, which can be extended to 200m or longer by prior arrangement. The system also includes a cable layering mechanism, a meterage wheel, a manual winding arm and a friction brake.

With twin joysticks, intuitive hot keys and crawler cruise control, the Proteus is simple to operate, providing users with continuous control and status information, including activity, speed, pressure, inclination and temperature.

Summarising, Jay Neermul says: “The Proteus is an extremely popular member of our remote visual inspection fleet, and the availability of a transportable, battery powered version means that the system no longer has to be connected to a vehicle and can now be employed in an even wider range of applications. By renting the new transportable crawler camera, customers will benefit from the latest technology and application flexibility, whilst avoiding ownership costs.”

Treatment plant protected by effluent monitor at major drinks factory!

The installation of a Hach Lange BioTector continuous TOC (Total Organic Carbon) monitor to police the front end of Cobevco’s wastewater treatment plant has enabled tight control of the treatment process. Delivering results 20 times faster than laboratory techniques, the monitor at the Elton facility in Cheshire (GB) provides advance notice of organic overload so that the plant is able to instantly divert carbon-rich waste and protect the treatment process.

The recently rebranded Cobevco filling division operates a state of the art bottle filling and wastewater treatment plant at their manufacturing site at Elton in Cheshire, which includes a large biological wastewater treatment facility, operating 24/7 between 3 staggered Sequential Batch Reactors (SBR). This process relies on the activity of bacteria which break down the organic content in the waste stream. However, if the organic load is too strong or too weak, the bacteria are unable to function efficiently, so monitoring is necessary.

Historically, laboratory analysis has taken too long to allow proactive intervention and the ability to measure organic load continuously has not been possible because instruments have been unable to cope with the strength of the effluent without filtration. However, the patented two-stage chemical oxidation process employed by the BioTector completely resolves this problem and has enabled Cobevco to protect the treatment plant and dramatically improve efficiency.

Vibrating fork level switches available with DiBt WHG overfill protection approval!

Emerson’s Rosemount® 2120, 2130 and 2160 vibrating fork liquid level switches have been tested for overfill protection and certified by the German DiBt WHG approval authority. The approval means that the Rosemount level switches are included in the list of approved products published by DiBt, certified under safety devices for tanks and piping related to water pollution control.

The tests for overfill protection were successfully completed by the 3rd party tester TÜV Nord (Technischer Überwachungs-Verein), and certified by DiBt (Deutsches Institut für Bautechnik), an authority of the German Länder (Provincial) Governments for a uniform fulfilment of technical tasks in the field of public law. 

Proven instrument accuracy and reliability are key factors in the overfill protection approval process and the Rosemount level devices were required to pass the comprehensive test of 5000 overfill situations for each switch, over the whole temperature range. 

Overfill protection devices can shut off or restrict product flow or alert the operator with an alarm when a tank is close to being full. The Rosemount 2120, 2130 and 2160 Series are designed for high and low alarms, overfill protection, pump control, including wide pressure and temperature requirements, and hygienic applications.

These 2100 Series vibrating fork level switches are suitable for a wide range of liquid applications. They are virtually unaffected by turbulence, foam, vibration, solids content, coating or liquid properties and offer a complete range of process connections, with a wide choice of housing and wetted part materials. Built-in instrument health/self-checking diagnostics, plus hazardous area options make them the ideal choice for a variety of challenging applications in many industries.

Their wireless enabled vibrating fork liquid level switch combines Emerson’s wireless expertise and vibrating short fork technology. It has all the features of the wired level switches but without the complication and cost of wiring. This makes it ideal for level monitoring and control in locations previously inaccessible or too costly for wired devices.

Inspection camera adapted for anaerobic digestion tank

When a British local utility company needed to conduct a routine surveillance check on one of its anaerobic sludge digesters, the specialist company Hayes GFS  contacted Ashtead Technology in its search for an intrinsically safe-rated inspection camera. Following discussions with Ashtead Technology’s engineers a suitably certified push-rod camera was deployed from a customised access point that enabled the Hayes’ staff to produce comprehensive images and videos showing the condition of the digester’s roof and walls.

Anaerobic digestion (AD) is becoming increasingly popular in Britain because it diverts biodegradable wastes from landfill, reduces emissions of greenhouse gases and generates biogas, which can be used as an energy source. This has resulted in a significant growth in business for Hayes GFS Ltd, a specialist provider of Glass-Fused-to-Steel Tanks and ancillary items.

GFS is a unique tank finish that has been used widely in the agriculture and water industries for decades. The two materials are fused together to achieve the best properties of both – the strength of flexibility of steel combined with the corrosion resistance of glass. GFS is therefore ideal for aggressive environments such as those inside anaerobic digesters with high temperature, high humidity, methane and hydrogen sulphide. However, this also presents a significant challenge for internal inspection.

Most of Ashtead Technology’s push-rod cameras and remote-control crawlers are employed for the inspection of drains, culverts and pipes. However, these environments can also be potentially explosive due to the accumulation of methane, so Ashtead also stocks intrinsically safe instruments and a Pearpoint P374 camera system in conjunction with a digital video recorder, was recommended for the AD application.

Commenting on the success of the project, Hayes GFS Managing Director Stephen Skinner said: “The camera which Ashtead Technology recommended proved to be ideal for this job. We built a customised ‘launch tube’ on one of the purge points on the roof and attached nylon to the camera tip so that we could video every surface once the probe was lowered into the ‘live’ digester.

“We were delighted with the results of the survey because we were able to demonstrate the condition of the tank very effectively, without having to decommission the digester.

“We were very impressed with Ashtead Technology because they ensured that we utilised exactly the right kit, and it was delivered and collected very quickly, which helped to keep our costs to a minimum.”

Workshop on industrial discharges

'Are you paying too much for your effluent?'

Hach Lange is hosting a free workshop for Great Britain - England, Scotland & Wales - based companies, on wastewater cost minimisation. Taking place in Newcastle Upon Tyne (GB) on Tuesday 4th October, the workshop will provide attendees with an insight into the ways in which self-monitoring can ensure regulatory compliance and help reduce costs.

The workshop will include both practical and classroom sessions, and explain the main factors affecting trade effluent cost. In addition, there will be sessions covering both continuous monitoring and sampling for laboratory analysis.

The key topics will include the Mogden formula, sampling techniques, TOC, COD, BOD and Operator Self Monitoring (OSM). Speakers will include technical experts from HACH LANGE in addition to staff from Northumbrian Water's Trade Effluent Team.

The practical sessions will include an opportunity to operate best practise in sampling and testing, whilst also providing a chance to see HACH LANGE's latest spectrophotometer the DR 3900, which employs RFID technology to deliver extremely high levels of traceability.

The workshop will run from 10am to 4pm with complimentary lunch and refreshments provided. Places are only available to UK mainland companies and are being allocated on a first-come/first-served basis.