Share via email
Some fields are missing
send eMail

Improved gas feeding in water treatment

Accurate gas dosing and the ability to control the feed to match changing conditions are vital for water treatment applications such as pH control using CO2 or removing iron with oxidation. From the outset, the system requires accurate sizing and, combined with precise control enabled by automation, this will ensure product quality as well as a cost-effective process in the long term.

Success Story Everswinkel

Accuracy is a key requirement for feeding gas in a water treatment process.

This ranges from applications that require neutralisation of pH levels with carbon dioxide, removing iron or manganese to create process water, or oxygenating wastewater to assist the bacterial breakdown process. Imprecise gas insertion can result in reduced process performance and a lower quality end-product. Moreover, excess gas use can significantly increase process costs over the long term.

Achieving an optimal gas feed requires accurate and responsive control, and this starts with accurate sizing of the metering and control system. The fundamental requirement for measurement of gases present in water is a precise calculation of inlet pressure, referred to as P1, outlet pressure, referred to as P2, as well as the flow rate. Together, these values are used to accurately size the system’s mass flow meter (MFM) and control valves.

Sizing the system

Within a mass flow controller, the gas flows through a control valve orifice with a smaller diameter than the main pipe. This creates a pressure drop as the flow rate becomes proportional to the downstream outlet pressure, following Bernoulli’s principle that states an increasing fluid speed creates a corresponding decrease in static pressure. This explains the importance of clarifying either the P1 (inlet pressure) or P2 (outlet pressure) to determine the potential flow rate.

Confirming the accuracy of these values is as important for optimising an existing system as it is for specifying a new application. It’s not unusual for a customer site to use a mass flow meter or controller that hasn’t been correctly sized at the outset and is therefore inaccurate and unable to achieve the required flow rate. Usually, the site’s engineers know the inlet feed pressure, though rarely the outlet figure, but a flow control specialist will be able to assist with accurate sizing and required flow rate calculation.

As well as pressure and flow rate, it’s also vital to understand the precise gas volume to achieve the desired results for a given application. With this understood, a flow control partner can also support the calibration process to confirm accuracy of the sensors specific to the gases involved.

Improving control in wastewater aeration lines with the Bürkert Type 8750Improving control in wastewater aeration lines with the Bürkert Type 8750

Aeration lanes used in wastewater processing are designed to take in wastewater and introduce compressed air to break down sludge bacteria. This is a critical process in the cleaning process before treated water can be discharged into a river or similar watercourse. A major challenge in the day-to-day running of aeration lanes is energy consumption. Something that all industry exponents are busily trying to decrease, which is where the Bürkert 8750 Flow Rate Controller comes in.

The difference between Mass Flow Meters and Mass Flow ControllersThe difference between Mass Flow Meters and Mass Flow Controllers

Many fluid control applications require accurate flow measurements to ensure the right gas is in the right place at the right time. Sometimes, gas flow rate measurements simply aren’t enough and an added layer of control is required. All of which comes down to hardware. Here, Bürkert explains the difference between a Mass Flow Meter (MFM) and a Mass Flow Controller (MFC), as well as why you should choose one of our MFM/MFC devices.

Controlling the gas feed

Assuming the ability to accurately measure gas flow, precisely controlling the feed is the next step. If gas pressure, flow rate and temperature are constant, fixed manual control of gas flow can be sufficient. However, this situation is a rare occurrence. Taking a CO2 infusion application, for example, as the gas is fed in and volume of CO2 in the host container decreases, inlet pressure also decreases, impacting flow rate accordingly. Opening the mass flow controllers orifice will increase flow rate, but maintaining accuracy across this control process requires automation to achieve the required precision.

Even more basic applications with a lower dependence on gas feed accuracy require human knowledge of mechanical valve control. However, this places greater reliance and time requirements for on-site operation by engineers, as opposed to time saving, automated control.

Managing flow also depends on the changing gas levels in the water. Controlling pH, for example, can require precise adjustment based on feedback from a probe. Accurate and repeatable results rely on a rapid control response according to the changing conditions, which can only be achieved without impacting throughput by an automated process.

Automation also enables faster and more accurate documentation, removing the time requirement and potential for inaccuracies in reporting. Applications in food and beverage, for example, demand frequent data recording with evidence of accuracy from calibration records to meet national standards. While an automated system ensures a robust process, it also reduces costs in the long term, compared to human data logging.

Type 8746

Mass flow controller (MFC)/mass flow meter (MFM) for gases

Type 8746
  • Nominal flow ranges from 20 l/min up to 2500 l/min
  • High measuring accuracy and repeatability with very fast response times
  • Long-term stability of the flow calibration
  • Simpler device exchange due to configuration memory
  • Optional: ATEX II Cat. 3G/D or USP Class VI, FDA, EC 1935 conformity

Automated metering and control solution

While an experienced systems integrator might only require an accurate mass flow meter to achieve these benefits, OEMs and end-users can benefit from assistance in sizing, as well as a full package of flow system components including metering, larger control valves and sensors. Bürkert’s engineers can provide a comprehensive system that is tailored to specific requirements and designed with all the components supplied in-house to ensure compatibility and optimum performance.

This service will not only achieve an accurate gas control system to meet the application’s conditions, but it will also reduce the long term costs in raw materials, human resources and maintenance.

Bürkert is ideally positioned to achieve these requirements to optimise existing as well as new water treatment processes.

We have an extensive range of Mass flow controllers, Mass flow meters, control valves and more.

Please do get in touch by emailing sales.uk@burkert.com to find out more.