Polymer makeup systems
Polymer makeup systems are commonly employed in wastewater treatment and some water treatment applications. When separating waste solids from water to clean and clarify it, it is necessary to pass the sludge through a de-watering device. For example, a filter press or a centrifuge. To remove these solids from the water effectively it is commonplace to use a polymer coagulant that binds the solids together.
The polymer comes in a raw form of liquid or powder and is dosed accordingly based on the parameters of the feed. The polymer is mixed and diluted with water to a particular concentration and dosed into the raw sludge. This mixture then binds the solids together, making it easier to remove the solids in the mechanical device – in other words, the centrifuge or press.
Chemical and water dosing systems
Most applications will generally include a water feed and a chemical or polymer feed. Operators will typically meter in the raw chemicals or powder. A water dosing line will also be employed to regulate the correct amount of water. The resultant polymer mixtures are often made up in batches but occasionally ‘continuous flow’ systems will be required instead. Within these systems various different level sensors will also be deployed, whether they be high-level, low-level or continuous level sensors.
A dosing skid can be used in a multitude of settings, but normally includes a pump with a flowmeter to ensure the right amount of chemical is dosed into a particular application. Not solely the preserve of de-watering applications, dosing skids can also be used in drinking water treatment and various other applications, depending on the media that needs to be removed and treated. Water dosing systems and chemical dosing systems tend to employ flow metering technology to control the raw chemical, water maker or final mixed product.
Accurate and low-cost Bürkert flowmeters
Polymer makeup and dosing systems operate in a highly competitive market, prompting OEMs to search for the most accurate, low-cost flowmeters. It is not uncommon for accuracy to fall casualty to overriding cost pressures. This doesn’t necessarily have to be the case though, with Bürkert offering paddle wheel flowmeters that combine precision metering with competitive price points.
“Things like paddle wheel flowmeters are a great solution,” says Greg Wainhouse, .Water Field Segment Manager at Bürkert UK. “They do have moving parts but for general water dosing that’s not a problem at all. If you compare them with something like a mag flowmeter, paddle wheel flowmeters can be in the region of a quarter of the price. From an OEM point of view they’re ideal.”
One of the key advantages of Bürkert flowmeters in the paddle wheel range is the flexibility they offer. “They tend to be one fluidic body that’s compatible with a choice of transmitters,” Greg continues. “Whether that be a blind transmitter like the Bürkert 8030 that just sends out a 4-20 mA signal or, if the customer would like a display, we have the Bürkert 8032 that can give a visual display of flow rate. It can also provide switched outputs if they require a high or low switch.”
For more advanced functions, Bürkert also offers the Bürkert 8035 batch control system, which can dose against a certain volume of water and enables operators to control the valve directly from the system based on the volume required. “All of our transmitters are compatible with the single fluidic body S030. If a customer wants to hold a stock of spares, this reduces the number of spares they need to hold. It can be easily upgraded too, simply by changing the transmitter,” Greg adds.
Buy paddle wheel flowmeters from the Bürkert eShop
Another benefit of choosing Bürkert paddle wheel flowmeters is their intuitive controls and user-friendly interfaces, which are consistent across all models. “From a transmitter point of view, the user interfaces on the transmitters are very simple,” says Greg. “They’re easy to use and the menu structures are similar across each different transmitter variant.
“With some manufacturers you’ll go from a simple display to a batch controller and the menu layout is completely different. It’s like a totally different manufacturer. The fact that Bürkert manufactures the whole transmitter ourselves gives us a lot of control over quality and commonality across the user interface,” he adds.
The Bürkert S030 sensor-fitting and corresponding transmitters all employ a quarter-turn system, delivering effortless installation and removal. Furthermore, these products are all available to purchase online today via the Bürkert eShop.
For more information about any of the featured products above, or to discuss you application requirements in more detail, please contact the Bürkert UK sales team on +44 (0) 1285 648 720 or email sales.uk@burkert.com.
Inline flowmeter or inline batch controller, with paddle wheel
- Up to PN 16, measurement tube size DN 06 to DN 65
- Display for indication of flow rate and volume with two totalizers or dosing
- Automatic calibration using Teach-in
- Inputs (with batch controller) and all outputs can be checked without the need for actual flow
- Total and day counters for batch quantity and number of dosing, volume or mass counter indicator (with batch controller)
Inline flowmeter or inline batch controller, with paddle wheel
- Up to PN 16, measurement tube size DN 06 to DN 65
- Display for indication of flow rate and volume with two totalizers or dosing
- Automatic calibration using Teach-in
- Inputs (with batch controller) and all outputs can be checked without the need for actual flow
- Total and day counters for batch quantity and number of dosing, volume or mass counter indicator (with batch controller)