Energy Optimization
Feed-forward control is becoming a reality. It’s no secret that aeration is the largest energy use in water resource recovery facilities (WRRF). Current best practices rely on backend control. SENTRY provides a feed-forward actionable information that combined with flow is a surrogate for organic load. There are multiple strategies for control that can be implemented with the sentry strategy.
Many significant improvements in energy efficiency have been applied to WRRF operations in the past decade, including fine-bubble diffusers, high-speed turbo blowers, variable frequency drives, and improved dissolved oxygen control strategies.
A factor that has limited further improvement is the lack of real-time data about the concentration of organic matter in the wastewater. SENTRY™ has now removed those limitations using our proven sensor platform. Operating personnel now know the actual oxygen demand based on our sensor data and can respond in real time to changes to influent characteristics, like organic slug loads and toxic or inhibitory compounds.
SENTRY™ provides a minute-by-minute signal that can be used to control equipment used in wastewater treatment processes. These signals can adjust aeration and return solids flows in a feed-forward strategy to minimize aeration energy and reduce greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide.