Wastewater measurements and automation

Norske Skog in Bruck an der Mur, Austria decided to purchase a Valmet Sludge Dewatering Optimizer (Valmet SDO) solution to stabilize the process and improve boiler operation. Integrated to the existing Valmet DNA distributed control system, the software package was accompanied by a Valmet Total Solids Measurement (Valmet TS) microwave transmitter to measure the total solids amount to sludge dewatering.

In order to improve effectiveness, the Mitchells Plain Wastewater Treatment Works operated by the City of Cape Town, South Africa, installed two Valmet Total Solids Measurements (Valmet TS) in the sludge cake pipelines to provide immediate inline feedback on the dry solids percentage of the sludge cake.

Energy savings and lower polymer costs in sludge treatment are among the benefits gained with Valmet Total Solids Measurement (Valmet TS) at Kajaanin Vesi in Finland. In 2012–2013, the plant modernized its sludge treatment facility and had four Valmet TS units installed in the process. This reliable total solids measurement solution, based on microwave technology, is suitable for all wastewater sludge treatment applications in the range of 0–40% total solids.

The waste water treatment plant in Steinhäule on the Danube river treats around 40 million m3 of wastewater per year. Sludge dewatering has been considerably upgraded with the installation of a highly accurate instrument for the measurement of solids from Valmet.

The Kakolanmäki waste water treatment plant, jointly owned by 14 municipalities, has been operating in the southern Finnish city of Turku since the beginning of 2009. Since the plant is built underground it has a more constant and higher temperature than surface facilities, a distinct advantage for treatment conditions. It is able to process the wastewater from 300,000 people and various industrial sources in a way that considerably reduces the nutrient load on the Baltic Sea.

The Valmet TS device makes the reliable and accurate measurement of solids content in sewage sludge of different origin possible - and this at minimal maintenance efforts.

The wastewater treatment plant in Wansdorf, located in Western Berlin, is currently investing approximately 1.7 million Euros in a new plant for advanced water treatment. The Valmet LS ensures that the centrate solids do not build up and affect plant loadings upon start-up.

Tampere Water recently installed several Valmet total solids measurement devices and a sludge dewatering control package at its Viinikanlahti wastewater treatment plant in Tampere, Finland.

A USA waste treatment plant sees a $1.2 million/yr reduction in chemical and energy costs with the implementation of Valmet TS online measurements and automatic centrifuge controls.

As part of the Slush evening for circular and clean solutions, Valmet participated a panel discussion arranged by the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra. The discussion revolved around smart water and marine solutions.

In the Beijing Gaobeidian Wastewater Treatment Plant, sludge total solids from the primary clarifier varied from below 1 to 60 g/l, which means that from time to time only water is pumped to the sludge thickening tank. The Valmet TS total solids transmitter was installed in the outlet of the primary clarifier to control pumping.

Valmet has delivered six Valmet Total Solids measurements to a state-of-the-art sludge treatment plant in Hong Kong. At the moment the plant is being commissioned, with two of the four incinerators already started.

Recently a global producer of polymer emulsion chemicals ordered a Valmet LS measurement to enhance the operation of their sludge handling at the waste water treatment plant. Reliable measurement systems are required to keep the solid content to the municipal waste water plant within approved limits.