How peristaltic technology is addressing the problem of water pollution through more effective treatment techniques.

Watson Marlow 29/05/2009

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Chemically-disrupted water streams are causing a substantial increase of ‘intersex’ fish. Nicola Martin reports on how peristaltic technology is addressing the problem of water pollution through more effective treatment techniques.

It’s the story that has become a national curiosity: male fish swimming in our rivers have begun spontaneously developing female characteristics. Research dating back more than fifteen years has revealed that the underlying cause of this ‘intersex’ fish phenomenon lies in our improved water quality allowing fish to colonise rivers which were previously fishless. This has meant that fish are surviving in the upper reaches of urban river systems and are more exposed to treated sewage effluent. It is believed that Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) such as natural and synthetic hormones in the wastewater effluent are causing the intersex effect in male fish such as the appearance of oocytes (egg cells) in the testes of male fish.

EDCs are typically found in waste water at concentrations of less than one part per ten billion, and are a minute fraction of all the organic material present. This means that the processes traditionally used to treat contaminants found in waste water are insufficient for completely removing EDCs. For example, trickling filters are likely to remove less EDCs than a nitrifying activated sludge plant, and processes such as ozone and granular activated carbon treatment are likely to remove even more.

Further research is therefore imperative. The Environment Agency, in collaboration with the UK Government and the Water Industry, has coordinated a £40 million national programme to examine EDCs and assess the effectiveness, costs and benefits of their removal in existing or enhanced sewage treatment. The programme is gathering data from 13 different types of sewage treatment works across England and Wales, including a notable project at Ilkeston STW in Derbyshire.

Undertaken by Severn Trent Water, the Ilkeston project requires the company to carry out a side-by-side evaluation of three different advanced treatments for removal. In addition they are carrying out some fish tests using native roach to determine the effects of different waters on the fish. The experiments include the comparison of river water, treated sewage effluent and dilutions of treated sewage effluent in tap water. In order to make useable the tap water in the sample tanks, the chlorine in the water must be neutralised. For this purpose, Severn Trent specified use off Watson-Marlow’s 520SN/R2 peristaltic pumps for dosing of sodium thiosulphate, which dechlorinates the water. The 520 series of peristaltic pumps can be calibrated either by weight or volume, allowing for the precise dosing and metering that is necessary in the Ilkeston trial.

Severn Trent is also using SPX25 hose pumps which feed the river water and treated effluent to the tanks. The benefits of the hose pump for the river water are that the suction lift is good so that the pump can be situated safely inside the works perimeter fence with only the suction hose suspended in the river. The ability to handle solids also meant that only a simple weed screen was necessary to prevent blockages with weeds etc.

Because peristaltic pumps retain the chemical completely within the tube and have no valves that can leak or corrode, they can be used for the closely-controlled metering of problematic chemicals like sodium thiosulphate during treatment processes.

One of the central challenges of the EDC research programme is how to maximize removal efficiency by modifying current treatment technologies, while also remaining cost-effective. Advanced water treatment technologies are often more expensive than conventional treatment. This is another way in which the increased use of peristaltic technology is aiding EDC removal, by improving cost-effectiveness.

Philip Bolton, Water Industry Specialist at Watson-Marlow, comments: “The previous engineering solution for this kind of trial used gear pumps to achieve the flow rate and pressure required, but this involved a high level of maintenance, as well as a complicated pressure regulation system utilising bypass valves. By contrast, peristaltic pumps are simpler and more reliable. Decreased maintenance requirements of peristaltic pumps mean that not only are costs lower, but engineers’ time is freed up to be spent elsewhere.”

The Ilkeston trial, which finishes in the coming months, should provide us with increased knowledge of EDCs and the best methods to keep them out of our surface water system. With growing technological expertise, the UK is well prepared to reduce the impact of EDCs on our river-dwelling wildlife.

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Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions

01326370370
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About us

Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Group (WMFTG) peristaltic tube and hose pumps meet requirements including: value for money; low cost of ownership; reliability and ease of maintenance to the food and beverage, chemical, pharmaceutical, mining and many other industries.

We demonstrate how pumps deliver significant process efficiencies over the lifetime of the equipment. Whether performing flavouring addition in food processing, chemical metering in water treatment or mineral recovery, we have a solution which can cut pump downtime and reduce costs through higher accuracy metering and transfer. WMFTG has dedicated application engineers available to help customers make the right pump and tubing choice from a range providing microlitres per minute to 80 cubic metres per hour flow rates.

The only part of the pump to come into contact with the product is the tube or hose. This means there are no seals or valves that can wear or fail. Replacing the tube or hose can be performed quickly and safely. Peristaltic pump benefits include:

Total fluid containment with no seals No ancillaries Handle viscous and abrasive slurries and sludge Self-priming capability Dry running without damage to the pump In addition to their range of positive displacement pumps, Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Group has added PTFE-lined chemical and industrial hoses to their range. Aflex hoses are reinforced to withstand the most severe conditions and use.

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Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, South America, North America

Industries we supply to

Automation, Chemicals, Consultants, Components Electronics, Energy and Power, Food and Beverage, Glass Ceramics Cement, Metals and Minerals, OEM, Paper and Pulp, Pharmaceutical Cosmetics Toiletries, Plastics and Rubber, Recycling, Textiles, Tobacco, Water and Wastewater

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