Water companies are under immense pressure to do more with less, improving the quality and quantity of the water they supply – without passing the cost onto their customers. In fact, the expectation is that water companies will reduce costs wherever possible.
Equipment that is fit for purpose, reliable and accurate is a necessity if water companies are to meet this challenge and deliver good quality drinking water to their customers. The ideal is to find a system that enables them to meet the exacting standards expected by customers and regulators – whilst reducing costs at the same time.
Limitations of existing equipment
Shortcomings exist with much of the equipment available, as no single sensor is able to measure every single water quality parameter. Given the parameters change from time to time, the situation is even more complex, which frequently results in an expanding wall of measuring instrumentation incorporating a diverse range of sensors.
Typically, each sensor demands a different setup, operation and maintenance, and has a separate menu to negotiate – a scenario which is far from user-friendly and can lead to an ungainly system that is neither efficient or cost-effective.
One manufacturer, however, is treading a different path, allowing a wide variety of parameters to be measured in a single system.
Decades of experience
For over 70 years, Bürkert has focused their attention on manufacturing measurement and control systems for liquids and gases, their experience in a wide range of industries means the insights they’ve gleaned can be deployed in other applications and sectors.
Today, their specialist automated equipment is utilised in the food and beverage, gas, microfluidics and water treatment sectors. Bürkert Fluid Control Systems are employed around the world, making hygienic water supplies available to numerous households and businesses.
Despite being over 2500 personnel strong, they are a family-owned business, and their independence is central to their operations. Driven by a continual desire for improvement, the Bürkert team are always developing new solutions for applications – addressing some of the water industry’s most pressing concerns.
State-of-the-art instrumentation
Bürkert specialises in instrumentation that assists in the measuring, dosing, mixing, filtration, controlling, setting and regulating the processing of fluids, including water – providing analytics that drive business improvements. Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, their 35 strong UK team are well placed to advise and support businesses across the UK.
Their Type 8905 – Online Analysis System for drinking water has just launched in the UK. As the name suggests, this online measuring instrument has the capability to analyse a wide range of water quality parameters providing accurate information in real time.
Applications of the Type 8905 system include drinking water monitoring and control, filtration processes, process water treatment for industrial applications, horticulture/irrigation and fish farming, amongst others.
An adaptable, accurate system
Put simply, the system is made up of a series of cubes, each one measuring a different parameter and each one being its own transmitter – meaning it is a particularly versatile and robust platform. The modular design can be adapted depending on the specific water quality parameters laid out in the water authority’s framework or application needs.
Due to its modular design Bürkert can customise the Type 8905 to meet the needs of each customer, as they have done at WW Öhringen, where a tailored version was supplied enabling all measurements to fit within one cabinet. Encompassing seven sample water lines, two turbidity sensors with automated cleaning systems for each channel and ClO2 sensors for disinfectant measurement of incoming water, the unit proved a practical solution in space saving and cost reduction.
Easy integration
The Type 8905 Online Analysis System utilises CANopen communication protocol and device profile specifications – for easy integration with the client’s existing systems, including data management.
A common menu format is utilised, making the system easy to navigate and where extra sensor cubes are added, these are connected to a single display unit, with the high resolution 7″ touch screen facilitating operation and visualisation. The straightforward design and user interface makes it particularly easy to utilise.
PH, turbidity, ORP, conductivity, and chlorine are just some of the parameters that can be measured by the Type 8905 Online Analysis System. More sensors are in development, with a view to extending the range to include iron and water hardness, amongst others.
Environmental benefits
The optimal design means that a good velocity of water is created by a smaller water sample – meaning less water is taken out of the supply and sent to drain than with other systems – which has environmental benefits.
Moreover, the stability, accuracy and repeatability of the system has been proven at sites around the world.
Whilst the modular system is not only versatile, integrating well with other systems, but it is also future-proofed – allowing for additional modules to be added to over time.
One system, three solutions
Available in a number of different formats, the Type 8905 Online Analysis System includes a Cabinet Solution, a Compact System and a Field Unit – all of which provide stable sensor technology, necessitating less intervention and maintenance.
The Type 8905 Cabinet Solution is extremely flexible in terms of size or configuration, with the number of sample lines limited only by the size of the panel. The cleaning system is also located within the panel wherever space permits.
The 8905 Compact Solution accommodates up to six sensors, configured as one line fitted with all six sensors or two lines each fitted with three sensors. The display, power supply, outputs and modules are located in the upper housing, whilst the MZ20 cleaning system is located on the exterior of the compact housing.
Put to the test
A good case in point is the 8905 installation at WW Niedernhall. Here the Compact System was installed with a single integrated display for intuitive and full operation of all the measurements. No wiring or pipes were needed between the single measurements and it was found that the compact design could replace a 3.5 metre wall of varied measuring equipment.
Field Unit comes to the fore for dual validation applications
The Type 8905 Field Unit comprises of a device stripped away from any housing and mounted directly on a rail, minimising downtime and disruption as it is quick and easy to install, with little additional wiring or pipework.
The Sensors are commissioned using a CANopen access point and complimentary software, which reduces the cost of commissioning and maintaining the device still further. The direct interface means the Field Unit integrates with a personal or laptop computer, for the initial set up, so a display unit is not a necessity. However, the versatile design also allows for optional, extra displays and outputs which can be fed directly to a PLC and to be added where desired.
Easily deployed, especially for dual or triple validation applications, the Field Unit proves much easier and lower cost than more traditional systems. Particularly well suited to locations off the beaten track – the Field Unit minimises installation and maintenance time, thereby allowing operations to continue smoothly and cost-effectively.
Benefits of Bürkert solutions
Bürkert’s online analysis system for drinking water has many benefits, firstly, from a practical point of view, the small footprint makes it practical and straightforward to integrate into existing water treatment facilities. Moreover, the modular design means it is futureproofed and can be added to when required.
Compared with traditional sample boards, a reduced capital investment is necessitated, due to the minimal pipework and wiring required. Whilst installation costs and time are reduced due to the simple plug and play design. Commissioning costs too, are kept to an absolute minimum as most of the software commissioning is completed off-site.
Over time, operator costs are also reduced, as calibration is simple with on-screen support. Lower maintenance costs are also achieved, as the sensor technology is both stable and reliable, whilst cleaning is automatic – requiring less operator intervention.
In addition, the smaller water samples utilised and sent to drain require less re-processing and lower energy consumption, which is good for the operator and good for the environment too.
Feedback received from across the globe, suggests that this modular cube-based system is unlike anything else on the market – providing reliable and stable sensors which work repeatedly, effectively and cost-efficiently.
www.burkert.co.uk
