Qdos and APEX Pumps Help Treat Hydrodemolition Water In Latest Ecoclear Machine
Key points
Qdos and APEX pumps from Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Group (WMFTG) are providing the processing power behind the latest generation EcoClear, a treatment system developed by Aquajet in Sweden for filtering hydrodemolition water.
EcoClear enables users to safely discharge blast water back into the environment or recycle it accordingly. Aquajet has standardised on Qdos and APEX pumps from WMFTG since the original machine’s launch two years ago.
Hydrodemolition is a technique that uses high-pressure water jetting for the removal or controlled demolition of concrete. The process is proving increasingly popular as it is 100% free of vibration, which is not only good for the operator, but for the surrounding structure. However, the process produces large quantities of wastewater that must be treated for disposal or recycling.
Removing sludge
EcoClear works by treating the hydrodemolition water in different internal chambers, working with flocculation technology to remove the maximum amount of sludge from the water. The latest generation EcoClear offers a number of important software enhancements to users.
Most of the new software functions relate to higher levels of automated dosing in line with flow rates and stability levels within the water. Dosing is facilitated by three Qdos chemical metering pumps.
“We use a Qdos 30 to dose coagulant into the reaction tank, and a second Qdos 30 to pump neat flocculent to the reservoir, where it mixes with water to provide pre-activation,” explains Ronnie Hilmersson, Aquajet’s Research and Development Manager. “A third unit, a Qdos 60, pumps the mixed flocculent into the reaction tank. All of the pumps are controlled automatically.”
Delivering flow rates that remain constant up to 7 bar, Qdos chemical metering pumps give users several advantages over diaphragm metering pumps.
Not only do Qdos pumps cut chemical costs through higher accuracy metering, but simple drop-in installation eliminates the need for ancillary equipment.
To ensure the correct dosage of chemicals within the EcoClear machine, an automatic magnetic flowmeter is connected to the Qdos pumps. The purpose is to improve the settlement characteristics of suspended solids whenever chemicals are introduced to the reaction tanks.
Optical turbidity sensors and pH probes continuously monitor and record water quality, ensuring that only clean water is discharged back into the environment. If the water exceeds its required limit, the feed pump automatically shuts down to prevent dirty water from escaping.
To improve settlement characteristics, blast water is pumped into the inlet chamber and mixed with a flocculating agent. Carbon dioxide is automatically introduced via an internal diffuser to create micro bubbles that reduce the pH level of the blast water.
Lamella clarifier
Flocculated blast water passes through a lamella clarifier where the suspended solids settle, leaving solids-free water. This lamella clarifier is produced by Siltbuster and is where the primary function of EcoClear – the separation of water from sludge – takes place.
“We are not a water treatment specialist per se, so we rely on supporting technologies provided by partner suppliers, such as Siltbuster and WMFTG,” says Mr Hilmersson.
Indeed, the single APEX hose pump located within EcoClear is used for pumping out the settled solid sludge from the storage hopper.
Clear water
EcoClear is marketed under the strapline ‘Clear water, clear conscience’, and it is easy to see why.
“In essence, dirty hydrodemolition water enters the machine, with clean water emerging at the other end where it can be discharged as groundwater or sewer water, or used as part of a closed-loop recycling process,”
says Mr Hilmersson, who goes on to summarise the important role played by the WMFTG pumps in fulfilling this function.
“The pumps are maintenance-free and we’ve not had any issues in the field since EcoClear machines were launched in late 2016. Qdos and APEX are good pumps and provide high levels of reliability, which is exactly what our customers need in this application.”
Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions
- 01326370370
- info@wmftg.co.uk
- https://www.wmfts.com/
- Bicklandwater Road, Falmouth Business Park, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 4RU GB
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.
Where we supply to
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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