The Temple - Belton Project
Wastewater Treatment Plant Drop-In Solution
The population of temple is approximately 66,000.
Temple is home to Scott and White Memorial Hospital, Wilsonart Materials and McLane foodservice supply.
And Growing...
The population of belton is roughly 20,000.
Belton is home to Mary Hardin Baylor University and has some light industry.
And Growing...
Both cities are growing at an accelerated pace due to their very desirable location in central texas.
Their Problem
The wastewater treatment plant serving a large portion of both cities is of a type that uses shallow, concentric annular basins, operating in series, with proprietary horizontal shaft surface rotors for aeration and circulation. Although flows have not increased to a point to exceed plant hydraulic capacity, the existing aerators have been unable to provide sufficient dissolved oxygen to keep up with the increasing BOD loading the plant has been experiencing over recent years.
Then Came a Solution
The plant operations manager contacted PB Equipment, Inc. after learning of the Bosman Plate Aerator drop-in system, exclusively available from PB Equipment, Inc. Recognizing that the increased submergence of the aerator, which even in the drop-in configuration sits within 1/4" of the basin floor. Plus, the durability of its membrane might be the solution to their problems.
The Trial Continued
PB Equipment, Inc. supplied the entire package including the blower in about 6 weeks from the time the order was placed. The owner placed the unit into the basin and turned it on. That easy. In the middle of the scorching central Texas summer heat, the unit was successful in getting the plant "over the hump", and the unit proved itself by putting more DO in the plant for less horsepower. The end result was a happy client who decided to purchase the system.
The Challenges
The Brazos River Authority operates the plant under contract for the cities. The very competent staff was using some unique and innovative tactics to allow the most transfer into the water as possible. However, they were fighting a losing battle, placing a strain on the equipment as loadings in the plant continued to increase and DO levels plummeted. Adding to the challenge was the fact that this was the only aeration basin at the plant, and it could not be removed for service, repairs, maintenance, or to make modifications.
Building for Better
In the summer of 2015, PB Equipment, Inc. agreed to install a 16-plate aerator trail unit, complete with blower, controls, and piping for several months in order to evaluate the feasibility of the equipment. This was done with no risk to the owner. At the end of the trail period, they could opt to rent, purchase, or return the equipment. The trial unit would be sized to provide nominally 400 CFM, with flows approaching 500 CFM possible when needed. Power for the 40 HP blower would be supplied by taking one of the 50 HP rotors off line.
Continued Improvements
After running the single 16-plate drop-in unit successfully for nearly a year, the owner was ready for more drop-in plate aerators. It was decided that more units would be phased in gradually over a period of several years. They decided to commission PB Equipment, Inc. to provide them with 3 more 16-plate drop-in aerator assemblies with header piping and blower for the next phase.
Providing Satisfaction
Again, PB Equipment, Inc. was able to provide the aeration equipment package in a very short time frame. To install the 3 new aeration drop-in assemblies, an existing disc diffuser unit had to be removed to make room on the floor. The increased efficiency of the new plate aerators more than made up for the absence of the discs.
In the short term, PB Equipment's, Plate Aerator drop-in solution has enabled the Temple/ Belton plant operators to continue to keep the plant operating within its discharge parameters without anywhere near the effort they had spent before. Allowing them more resources to devote on other areas of the plant.
Longer term plans for this facility include the future installation of more PB Equipment, Inc. drop-in units throughout the aeration basin in order to increase the total capacity of the plant. This capacity increase is achieved with very little effort, using the existing facility without installing additional basins or even dewatering. The monetary and practicality advantages were realized from not having to erect new concrete structures. Also, the increased energy efficiency of the drop-in plate aerator units allow for a return on the owners investment over multiple fronts.
