Process Optimization
Mechanical, biological, chemical, and human factors all have to line up. We tune your process so treatment stays effective and reliable.
One misaligned element can undo the whole process.
Water and wastewater treatment processes involve mechanical, biological, chemical, and human elements, all of which must fall within the correct range of values for the system to be effective and reliable.
The misalignment of just one component can result in a process that is inefficient and expensive to maintain. In the worst cases, processes fail completely, leading to non-compliance with environmental permits or poor-quality water that adversely affects your production. Wastewater treatment plant optimization reduces problems, protects the environment, ensures compliance, and saves you money.
A five-stage optimization assessment.
We work through the mechanical, biological, chemical, and human factors together — then build an implementation plan that saves you money.
- 1
Evaluate the process and its inputs
We start by understanding everything that feeds and affects the process.
- The wastewater-generating process
- Chemicals used in the process
- The raw water source
- Chemical and physical water and wastewater characteristics
- Flows and loadings of all pertinent inputs
- Peak loads and potential upset conditions
- Variability — both normal and unusual events
- Desired water or effluent quality
- 2
Review the treatment process and equipment
Next we review the complete treatment process and test the equipment.
- Process type (physical/chemical, biological, mechanical, electrochemical, membrane, etc.)
- Equipment design and capacity
- Equipment condition
- Operating and maintenance procedures
- Appropriateness of the process and equipment
- 3
Assess controls, instrumentation & monitoring
We confirm you have the right information and the right control functionality.
- Monitoring the right parameters at the right location
- Using the right test to measure parameters
- Collecting test samples properly and at the right locations
- Collecting and evaluating lab data effectively
- Logging physical and visual observations to evaluate process health
- Logging data for future historical evaluations
- Using appropriate controls for the desired process adjustments
- Using the right instrumentation at the right location
- Making the correct adjustments based on good data
- 4
Assess chemical usage
We make sure the right chemicals are used the right way.
- Proper chemicals are used only as needed
- Proper chemical dosage based on use tests (jar tests, titrations)
- Use conditions are appropriate (pH, alkalinity, temperature)
- Chemicals are prepared correctly (e.g. flocculant polymers)
- Chemicals are mixed and dispersed effectively
- 5
Assess operator knowledge
Finally, we confirm your staff understands what optimal operation requires.
- Manufacturing process and chemistry basics
- Treatment plant process fundamentals
- Treatment process parameters and control methods
- Target ranges for control parameters and how to adjust them
- The effect of variability on treatment processes
- Lab tests and physical/visual monitoring
- On-line controls
- Responding to upset conditions
Following our comprehensive assessment and the implementation of recommendations, you'll be able to rest assured that your system is running smoothly.
More capacity from the system you already own.
Before you invest in new tanks or equipment, it's worth asking whether the capacity you need is already sitting inside your existing plant. Process intensification finds that headroom — through improved controls, better chemistry, and staged upgrades — so you can handle higher loads and tighter limits without a major capital project.
It applies the same disciplined assessment we use to optimize a plant, aimed at a different goal: instead of only running cleaner and cheaper, you unlock treatment capacity from assets you've already paid for.
Process optimization in action
