Water and Wastewater Use Cases
Explore use cases tailored for the Water and Wastewater industry
30 use cases
Wastewater Treatment
Biogas storage facility
Water and Wastewater
The methane gas extracted from the digestion tank is temporarily stored in a gas reservoir. Depending on the design of the gas storage facility, either a flexible diaphragm of plastic or a floating roof is used for volume equalization. The gas volume and gas pressure are measured continuously to ensure reliable and safe operation.
Chemical tanks
Water and Wastewater
Through the addition of chemicals, phosphates in the wastewater are precipitated out, for example in primary sedimentation, in aeration systems or in special precipitation and secondary clarifiers. Precipitants like ferric chloride bind the phosphate chemically and deposit it in the sludge. In the storage tanks for these chemicals, a level measurement and point level detection system is deployed for continuous inventory control and optimal dosage.
Coarse and fine screens
Water and Wastewater
Mechanical cleaning removes entrained floating matter with screens or sieves. This protects the downstream process stages from buildup, clogging and abrasion. Solids with diameters greater than 25 mm are trapped in the coarse screens, compressed in a press and then disposed of. Finer secondary screens remove smaller residual materials. Measurement of the difference in water level between the front and the back of the screen determines the degree of contamination and initiates the cleaning of the screen when necessary.
Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO)
Water and Wastewater
Large Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) protect the wastewater treatment plant from a capacity overload during heavy rain. The precipitation is temporarily stored and then delivered to the treatment plant at a reduced rate. If the stormwater basin cannot hold the accumulating quantities of water, part of it is discharged. Due to legal requirements, such operational events and discharged water quantities must be measured and documented. A level sensor provides the required measurement data.
Conditioning
Water and Wastewater
The applied chemicals and precipitants are suitably conditioned to ensure that they reach the wastewater in an optimal, low concentration. They are metered out according to the degree of pollution and mixed with the wastewater. Continuous level measurement is employed to ensure optimal metering control.
Container
Water and Wastewater
After coarse/fine screening, sorted solids such as waste, plastics, sand and sludge are transported to special containers via conveyor belt. Reliable level measurement enables automatic notification to change over these containers.
Digester
Water and Wastewater
The organic components of sewage sludge are decomposed under anaerobic conditions in heated, closed digestion tanks. In the process, combustible gases such as methane are released from the sludge. These are collected in a biogas tank and then converted into electricity and heat in cogeneration (CHP) plants. A level sensor controls the filling of the digester. To ensure that no foam gets into the gas system along with the collected gas, a point level sensor is used for monitoring.
Fuel tank
Water and Wastewater
Backup generators are a common safeguard at lift stations to maintain operation during power outages. Day tanks at each lift station and a main tank at the plant are used to store the fuel. To make sure there is sufficient fuel when needed, the level in the tanks is continuously measured.
Gas pipeline
Water and Wastewater
The biogas generated from sewage sludge is used for environmentally friendly production of heat and electricity. It is transported to the storage tanks through a gas pipeline.
Gauge station
Water and Wastewater
Accurate monitoring of the river level is an important prerequisite to be able to react quickly and correctly in the event of a flood. Data recording and transmission via radio link is the optimal solution for getting level information on rivers in remote areas without power.
Grit trap
Water and Wastewater
Through circulation and aeration of the wastewater, mineral substances such as grit and sand settle to the bottom of the settling basin. Point level detection of settled sand under water prevents equipment malfunction and damage and controls the cleaning cycle in the grit trap.
Grit washer
Water and Wastewater
Before the settled out sand can be used as recycled material, it is cleansed of organic matter in the sand washing plant. The washed sand is then dewatered in a screw press and discharged into a storage vessel. The discharge of the washed sand is controlled by a pressure transmitter.
Gullies
Water and Wastewater
Buildup and deposits accumulate in gullies and raise the water level there. Since this can lead to blockages, gullies must be cleaned regularly. Reliable level measurement ensures that blockages are recognized quickly. The level data is transmitted wirelessly to the control centre. This makes certain that gully cleaning is carried out as required.
Inlet channel
Water and Wastewater
Sewage and rainwater are often transported to the treatment plant in open collection channels or flumes. The flow rate is measured at various points in these channels. Measurement of the water flow at the inlet and outlet of the treatment plant is the basis for the calculation of tariffs and operating costs.
Lime silo
Water and Wastewater
In the nitrogen and phosphorus removal stage, lime is used to stabilize the pH value. Stored in silos, the lime is added to the wastewater as a solid or as an aqueous suspension. The silo content is measured by a radar sensor and a point level sensor detects the maximum level and transmits a full signal.
Mixing and equalization ponds
Water and Wastewater
These open pools even out peak loads and strong volume fluctuations. During periods of decreased load, the wastewater is pumped from the buffer pool into downstream biological treatment basins. A level sensor monitors and controls the pumps and cleaning units in the buffer pool.
Process water tank
Water and Wastewater
The process water is collected in tanks or open basins. Pressure pumps deliver the water for cleaning and rinsing purposes to various locations in the wastewater treatment plant. To ensure an optimal supply of water, the level in the process water tank is measured continuously.
Pump room
Water and Wastewater
To protect the process pumps, any leakage water, e.g. arising from a faulty pump seal, is detected and an alarm triggered. The pressure in the pipe is measured directly at the pump and displayed in the control system of the WWTP. Any malfunctions are detected quickly.
Pumping station
Water and Wastewater
Wastewater from households and businesses, together with surface water, is carried to the wastewater treatment plant via an extensive sewer network. If the natural gradient is not steep enough, numerous pumping stations are required to create a sufficient height difference. The level measurement in the inlet shaft is used for cost-effective control of the pumps.
Receiving watercourse
Water and Wastewater
After the wastewater has been treated, it is discharged into bodies of water through a drainage system. The local municiple water organisation requires measurement of the amount of wastewater being discharged into the receiving watercourse in order to determine how it affects the water quality downstream.
Sewage screw lifting station
Water and Wastewater
The heavily soiled, greasy wastewater from households and commercial enterprises flows into the sewage lifting station. The dirty water and floating debris contained therein are raised to a higher level with screw pumps and then flow into the treatment plant along a natural downward gradient. Level measurement in the inlet shaft controls the cost-effective use of the pumps.
Sewer network
Water and Wastewater
Wastewater from households and industrial operations is carried through a sewerage system to the clarification plant. In large sewer systems, the water levels are monitored at key points in the network. Level measurement in the sewer allows an accurate assessment of the degree of utilization of the conduit system.
Sludge dewatering
Water and Wastewater
The digested sludge is dewatered prior to drying in centrifuges or filter presses. The sludge liquor thus obtained passes through the cleaning process of the WWTP once again. A level detector controls the pumps in the filter water tank to prevent overfilling. The discharge of the dewatered sludge is controlled by a point level sensor.
Sludge drying
Water and Wastewater
Through drying, the weight and volume of the sludge is further reduced. In the thermal drying unit, which is equipped with a belt drier and a hot (+80 to +130 °C) air stream, water is removed from the sludge through evaporation. The continuous monitoring of belt loading is done by means of radiometric, i.e. radiation-based, measurement - this technique allows optimal, cost-effective dryer control.
Sludge granulate silo
Water and Wastewater
After thermal drying, the sludge is stored in silos for further use. The granulated product is deposed of in landfills, used in agriculture or burned for energy generation. The level measurement and point level detection ensure that the container volume is optimally utilized.
Sludge receiving station
Water and Wastewater
Sewage sludge from small decentralized sewage treatment plants or sewer cleaning operations is delivered in special vehicles. It is collected in a receiving tank and then gradually fed into the main sewage treatment plant for processing. Continuous level measurement determines the content of the receiving tank and controls the input to the plant.
Sludge storage tank
Water and Wastewater
The digested sewage sludge is pumped into a sludge storage tank. This tank serves as an intermediate storage facility before the sludge is fed to the centrifuge or pressed for mechanical dewatering. To ensure optimal feeding, the sludge volume is monitored by a level measuring instrument.
Sludge thickening tank
Water and Wastewater
Before the sludge enters the digestion tower, it is stored in large vessels. During storage, the sludge is dewatered and thickened sometimes scrapers and agitators are used to accelerate the process.
Stormwater retention basin
Water and Wastewater
In case of heavy precipitation, excess rainwater is temporarily stored in open, artificial reservoirs. The water reservoir buffers the drainage and the water is pre-cleaned through natural settlement. Continuous level data are the basis for calculating the flow through the sewer system and thus protecting against flooding.
Vacuum sewerage system
Water and Wastewater
When new building zones are opened up, it is often quite expensive to build a sewerage network with the necessary downward slope. In such cases, a vacuum sewerage network offers an interesting alternative to traditional sewer systems. The wastewater is transported to the pumping station under vacuum, which allows significantly smaller pipes to be used and stretches of upward slope spanned. A central vacuum pumping unit conveys the wastewater from households via a central sewage discharge into the public sewer system. To effectively control the system the level in the vacuum tank must be continuously monitored.
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