Sustainabilitylive! 2012 Seminar Programme - Optimisation of aeration systems and controls at industrial and municipal waste water treatment plants

A technical presentation intended for engineers and process managers with responsibility for waste water treatment plants. Ever-increasing wastewater quality demand has resulted in activated sludge plants replacing the less energy intensive trickling filter beds. The low-pressure compressed air to operate them now accounts for more than 2% of the total UK electricity demand. Around 15% of the UK's industrial electricity goes into compressed air generation . Air Technology measures, calculates and maps air flows and treatment performance through an aeration plant, optimising and trimming air flows to improve performance and reduce energy usage and cost. Wastewater treatment plants often save £50,000 annually through this process, with several plants achieving savings of over £100,000. Nigel Goerick, Air Technology Director and Senior Chartered Engineer, will describe the issues surrounding the generation of low-pressure compressed air, the key parameters that enable aeration process optimisation and explain how the key factors such as blower capacity and air demand within the entire Activated Sludge Plant govern how maximum efficiency can be achieved. Mr Goerick will talk about: Theoretical and actual aeration air demands, suitability of the different types of blower configurations for meeting the demand, the efficient blower operating envelopes, specific energy consumption of different types of blower configurations over the desired flow range, individual and group blower control systems and suitability for the duty, blower maintenance regimes and enhanced system control by measurement of DO (dissolved oxygen) and ammonia.