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aterWasteProcessing

ACE12 Show Preview

The American Water Works Associations (AWWA) 2012 AnnualConference & Exposition (ACE12) kicks off June 10 in Dallas,Texas. For a sneak peak at some of the exciting technologies thatwill be on display, turn to page 30.

Thermal Dispersion Gas Mass Flowmeters Find EnergyEfficient Uses

Driven by U.S. government initiatives, thermal dispersion gas massflowmeters are finding additional municipal and industrial processapplications. Find out how one flowmeter manufacturer has respondedto this trend onpage 28.

Streaming Current MonitorA durable and fast responding streaming

current monitor is essential for reacting

to changes in source water and keeping

operating costs low. Unlike other stream-

ing current monitors, Hach

Companys AF7000 sample

chamber is encased in solid

stainless steel and features

a long-lasting industrial

motor, providing drinking

water operators a rugged

and heavy-duty product that

monitors source water with

less downtime.

Hach Companywww.hach.comWrite In 250

Accurate Flow Measurement

The new IM36 family of insertion meters

is designed to provide accurate, simple

flow measurement in a variety of opera-

tions. Applications include irrigation,

HVAC (hot and chilled water), water

distribution,

municipal,

industrial and

wastewater. The

stainless and peek

construction makes

it ideal for batching

and blending many industrial chemicals.

The IM36 meter is easy to install, utiliz-

ing weldolet fitting or strap-on saddles.

Great Plains Industries, Inc.www.gpi.net

Write In 251

Free Chlorine SensorsOmegas new series of free chlorine sen-

sors feature amperometric measurement

technology. The sensors

are available in several

ranges for detecting ppm

levels of free chlorine. Sen-

sors can be used in new

installations with Omega

flow cell or installed as

replacement for other 4 to

20 mA output free chlorine

(FCI) sensors. The FCLTX

is designed for use in water

treatment disinfection applications and

for use with chlorine generators.

Omega Engineering, Inc.www.omega.com

Write In 252

May 2012|www.waterwaste.com

A Supplement to Processing magazine

28

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4/442 May 2012|Water/Waste Processing | www.waterwaste.com

In This Issue

Productivity perspectives ...........................4

Potential found for expanding US water

supply through wastewater reuse............... 6

Veolia Water to help optimize NYC water,

wastewater services ....................................8

$1 trillion investment in US water infrastruc-

ture needed, says AWWA report ...............10

Company recognized for converting

wastewater into opportunity ......................11

Courts put the brakes on EPAs clean

water act authority .....................................12

GE commitment to global water challenges

evidenced in Alberta oil sands ..................16

Membranes have many uses in water

recovery and chemical processes ............18

Need a recipe for good slurry? ................. 20

Just inaugurated water-treatment business

serves chemical needs of Western US .....25

Clarifier and ultrafiltration combo reduces

disinfection byproducts .............................26

Thermal dispersion gas mass flowmeters

find energy efficient uses .......................... 28

ACE12 show preview .................................30

Industry briefs ............................................38

Group Publisher, Mike WassonPh: 973-539-7715, Email: [email protected]

Editorial Director, Kevin ParkerEmail: [email protected]

Managing Editor, Nick PhillipsEmail: [email protected]

Associate/Web Editor, Christy UnderwoodEmail: [email protected]

Art Director,James ArmstrongEmail: [email protected]

Graphic Designer, Brandon WatkinsEmail: [email protected]

Marketing Manager, Mary Beth TimmermanEmail: [email protected]

Advertising Sales Assistant, Haley MartinEmail: [email protected]

Administrative Team:

General Manager, Barry Lovette

Vice President of Operations, Brent KizzireVice President of Marketing, Hank Brown

Vice President of Finance, Brad Youngblood

Director of Circulation & Fulfillment, Delicia Poole

Circulation Manager, Electronic Products, Stacie Tubb

Circulation Analyst, Anna Hicks

PROCESSING (Pub.#ISSN 0896-8659)

PROCESSING Magazine is published monthly by Grand View Media Group. Editorial and Executive

Offices: 200 Croft Street, Ste 1, Birmingham, AL 35242. Periodicals postage paid at Birmingham, AL &additional mailing offices. Canada Post: Publications Mail Agreement #40612608. Canadian Returns to besent to: Bleuchip International, P.O. Box 25542, London, ON N6C 6B2. POSTMASTER: Send addresschanges to PROCESSING Magazine, PO BOX 2174, Skokie, IL 60076-7874. SUBSCRIPTIONS: Non-qualified domestic subscriptions: one year, $57; two year, $99; single issue, $10. Canadian and foreignsurface subscriptions: one year, $93; two year, $162. Air mail subscription: one year, $203; two year, $355. Grand View Media Group, 2012. PROCESSING Magazine assumes no responsibility for validity of claimsin items reports.

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4 May 2012|Water/Waste Processing | www.waterwaste.com

Productivity Perspectives

Its a commonsensical enough of an idea: The water-energy

nexus. The nexus is in the relationship. How much water does

it take to produce energy? How much energy does it take to

produce water? And what are the implications that can be drawn

there from?

Others prefer to cite the water-energy-food nexus, complicat-ing the equation immeasurably. Theres even a website, water-

energy-food.org, dedicated to looking at the trade-offs amongst

what are three of the prime sustainers of life.

The U.S. Intelligence community has just released an assess-

ment, Global Water Security, that concludes that between now

and 2040, fresh water availability will not keep up with demand,

absent more effective management of water resources. Water

problems will hinder the ability of key countries to produce food

and generate electricity.

The really big problems, as you can imagine, are in Africa and

south Asia. The lions share of the discussion concerns agricultur-

al use of water in developing countries and what the consequenc-

es of freshwater depletion might be for the geo-political climate.

Happily, although water rights can be a huge issue between

countries, the authors arent able to point to any actual wars thathave been fought over it.

Yet, if water problems are not managed successfully, they

predict, food supplies will decline, energy available for economic

growth will be reduced, and the risk of certain diseases will be

increased.

Industrial Infrastructure

The assessment also includes facts, observations and predic-

tions of immediate interest to those in the developed world more

particularly concerned with industrial or municipal water and

wastewater management. Here, even in the U.S., poor infrastruc-

ture in cities, with leakage rate of 25% to 30% not uncommon,

hydrologists consider 15% leakage as normal or good.

Also apropos to the U.S., the assessment notes that biofuels

are often seen as a renewable carbon-neutral alternative to fossil

fuels. But current biofuels development requires water and

aggravates water scarcity. This is because the biomass needed

to produce one liter of biofuels with todays technology consumes

between 1,000 and 3,500 liters of water. Moreover, its predicted

that land allocated to biofuels will increase fourfold by 2030, with

most of the growth in North America and Europe accounting

for 10% and 15% of the arable land respectively.

Yet global commodity prices incorporate the value of water called virtual water as a resource input used in production.

The assessment predicts that the U.S., Russia and Canada will

benefit from increased demand for their high-water-content food

commodities.

Technological Opportunites

The other big opportunity for the U.S. and the rest of the devel-

oped world will follow from its technology leadership. Countries

around the planet will be looking for technological capability in

water treatment and purification. In addition, the U.S. is expected

to continue development of hydrological models and remote en-

vironmental monitoring, as well as integration of these capabilities

with other terrestrial resource management data.

Membrane and other nanotechnology applications that domi-

nate the current desalination and water-purification industries arelikely to account for the biggest advances and effects on fresh

water availability, the authors say. Desalination is not economically

feasible, as of yet, for agricultural applications.

Even messier than the science and technology of global water

security are the policy questions involved. The assessment notes

that many economists advocate the privatization of water services

to generate funds for water infrastructure and better manage

water demands. Yet, although water privatization has been suc-

cessful in many countries, it can threaten established use patterns

by increasing the costs of water or transferring ownership of water

sources to private companies without proper local governance

structures.

-Kevin Parker, Editorial Director

[email protected]

Policy and technology define the water-energy nexus

By Kevin Parker, Editorial Director


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Potential Found for Expanding US

Water Supply Through WastewaterReuse

Expanding water reuse the use of treated wastewater for ir-rigation, industrial uses and drinking-water augmentation could

significantly increase the nations total available water resources,

concludes a new report from the National Academy of Sciences,

titled, Water Reuse: Potential for Expanding the Nations Water

Supply through Reuse of Municipal Wastewater.

A portfolio of treatment options is available to mitigate water

quality issues in reclaimed water, and new analyses, the report

says, suggests the risk of exposure to certain microbial and

chemical contaminants from drinking reclaimed water does not

appear to be any higher than the risk experienced in at least some

current drinking water treatment systems, and may be orders of

magnitude lower. Adjustments to the federal regulatory framework

could enhance public health protection for both planned and

unplanned or de facto reuse and increase public confidencein water reuse.

Key findings in the report include the following:

Approximately 12 billion gallons of municipal wastewater

effluent is discharged each day to an ocean or estuary out of

the 32 billion gallons per day discharged nationwide. Reusing

these coastal discharges would directly augment available water

resources equivalent to 6% of the estimated total U.S. water

use, or 27% of public supply. Inland efuent discharges may also

be available for water reuse, although extensive reuse has the

potential to affect the water supply of downstream users and eco-

systems in water-limited settings.

De facto reuse of treated wastewater to augment drinking

water supplies for example, when a drinking water system uses

a water supply that receives upstream wastewater discharges

is common in many of the nations water systems. A systematicanalysis of the extent of effluent contributions to potable water

supplies has not been made in the U.S. for over 30 years.

A portfolio of treatment options, including engineered and

managed natural treatment processes, exists to mitigate microbial

and chemical contaminants in reclaimed water. Numerous pro-

cess combinations can be tailored to meet specific product water

quality objectives.

To ensure the quality of reclaimed water, treatment systems

should include multiple barriers for pathogens that cause water-

borne diseases, to strengthen the reliability of contaminant re-

moval, and should employ diverse combinations of technologies

to address a broad variety of contaminants. Reclamation facilities

should develop monitoring and operational plans to respond to

variability, equipment malfunctions and operator error to ensure

that reclaimed water meets the appropriate quality standards for

its use.

In nearly all current potable water reuse systems, water is

Report promotes expanding reclaimed water efforts


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www.waterwaste.com|Water/Waste Processing |May 2012 7

discharged after treatment to an aquifer, stream or a wetland to

provide a buffer between water treatment and consumption. Envi-

ronmental buffers can further remove contaminant levels such as

pathogens from the water and provide additional retention time.

However, the science necessary to design engineered natural

systems to provide a uniform level of public health protection is

not available at present.

Modern technology allows the detection of chemical and

biological contaminants at extremely low levels, but the detection

of a contaminant in reclaimed water does not, in and of itself, in-

dicate a significant risk. Information on the dose of a contaminantrequired to cause health effects allows scientists to determine if

the level of contaminant is significant.

The committee compared the estimated risks of a conventional

drinking water source that contains a small percentage of treated

wastewater against the estimated risks of two different potable

reuse scenarios considering 24 chemical and four microbial

contaminants. The analysis suggests that the risk of contaminant

exposure in the two planned potable reuse scenarios does not

exceed the risk encountered from existing water supplies and maybe orders of magnitude lower.

The financial costs of water reuse vary widely because they

depend on site-specific factors, the report notes, including loca-

tion, water-quality objectives, and method of treatment applied.

To determine the most socially, environmentally and economically

feasible water supply option, the non-monetized costs and ben-

efits of reuse projects should also be considered.

The risk of exposure to certain microbial and

chemical contaminants from drinkingreclaimed water does not appear to be any

higher than the risk experienced in at least

some current drinking water treatment sys-

tems and may be orders of magnitude lower.

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Under its new partnership model, Paris-based Veolia Water is

working with New York City to evaluate the performance of thecitys existing drinking water and wastewater systems. Phase 1 of

the partnership, already under way, will result in recommendations

being made to improve performance and reduce operating costs.

Once this phase is completed, New York City will decide

whether or not to appoint Veolia Water to carry out Phase 2, which

is to implement the recommendations. For the four years of Phase

2 (renewable for a further two years at the decision of the public

authority), New York City will call on the expertise and know-how

of Veolia Water to optimize the performance of the water and

wastewater services, improving their productivity and efficiency

levels. The services will continue to be managed directly by New

York City using its own personnel.

Veolia Water will work hand in hand with the public authoritys

employees and assist them in order to improve operational perfor-

mance and reduce costs.

The contract would enable the New York City Department of

Environmental Protection (DEP) to achieve annual savings of be-

tween $100 to $200 million on operation and maintenance costs,which represent a budget of $1.2 billion. The services are used by

9 million people, of which 8 million live in New York City.

This optimization of operating methods will improve the qual-

ity of service while at the same time training the existing

workforce and reducing bills for users.

Veolia Water will be compensated on the basis of

savings achieved and documented. Estimated overall

revenue from the contract could amount to $36 million.

A New Type of Partnership

The contract signed with New York City is a good

illustration of the new types of partnerships that Veolia

Water wants to offer public decision-makers: They enable

municipal departments to benefit from the experience of

Veolia Water to improve the performance of their servicesand recommend new technical, technological and logisti-

cal solutions, while keeping environmental risks under

control and reducing operating costs.

Laurent Auguste, CEO of Veolia Water U.S., says, Its

a model in which the role of the private company is broadened

to assessing performance and then assisting the public operator

to implement the recommendations made. Under the terms and

conditions of this contract, Veolia Water shares with New York City

the benefits and the risks alike.

The model is light on capital for Veolia Water and enables public

authorities to benefit from an alliance between a private company

specialized in the management of public services: Performance

can be optimized while controlling costs and guaranteeing that

the price of water will be affordable for all.

New York City, through its Department of Environmental Protec-

tion (DPE), has launched an Operational Excellence, or OpX, pro-

gram. The municipal water and wastewater services managed by

Veolia Water to Help Optimize NYC

Water, Wastewater ServicesParis-based company signs partnership contract with New York Cityto evaluate performance of water systems


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the New York City DPE are the largest in the U.S. in terms of the

number of customers, and the utility intends to become a global

benchmark for operational performance. The Operational Excel-

lence program pairs us with a firm that brings a comprehensive

portfolio of best management practices, a track record of boost-

ing productivity while reducing expenses across the globe, and

all while protecting existing workforces.

Through this new innovative partnership,

teams of DEP employees will work with

Veolia to look for efficiencies across the

board in operations and maintenanceand then implement the best recommen-

dations over the next four years, says

New York City DEP Commissioner Carter

Strickland.

We have been applying our Service,

Value and Responsibility (SVR) strategy

for nearly a year now and its beginning

to pay off, as proven by this new con-

tract, says Jean-Michel Herrewyn, CEO

of Veolia Water. This approach, based

on improvement of performance, the best

use of natural resources and participation

in the plans and programs of the areas

where we work, enables us to meet our

clients requirements. Were moving from

a supply-based market to a demand-

based one, where we combine our tradi-

tional solutions with solutions integrating

knowledge management and continuous

improvement.

Veolia Water

www.veoliawater.comWrite In 200


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Its a model in which the role of

the private company is broad-

ened to assessing performanceand then assisting the public

operator to implement the

recommendations made. Under

the terms and conditions of this

contract, Veolia Water shares

with New York City the benefits

and the risks alike.


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The massive investment needed for buried drinking water infra-

structure in the U.S. totals more than $1 trillion between now and

2035, concludes a just-released report from the American Water

Works Association. The need will double from roughly $13 billion

a year today to almost $30 billion in 2010 dollars annually by

the 2040s, and the cost will be met primarily through higher water

bills and local fees, according to the report.

The authors say Buried No Longer: Confronting Americas Wa-

ter Infrastructure Challenge is a call to action for utilities, consum-

ers and policy makers and recognizes that the need to replace

pipe in the ground puts a growing stress on communities that will

continue to increase for decades to come.

Key findings in Buried No Longer include the following:

The needs are large. The cost of replacing pipes at the end of

their useful lives will total more than $1 trillion nationwide between

2011 and 2035 and exceed $1.7 trillion by 2050.

Household water bills will go up. Although water bills will vary

by community size and geographic region, for some communities

the infrastructure costs alone could triple.

There are important regional differences. The growing na-

tional needs affect different regions in different ways, with growth

concerns greater in the South and West and replacement con-

cerns greater in the Northeast and Midwest.

There are important differences based on system size. As with

many other costs, small communities with fewer people to share

in the costs face the biggest challenge.

The costs keep coming. Infrastructure renewal investments

are likely to be incurred each year over several decades. For

that reason, many utilities may choose to finance infrastructure

replacement on a pay-as-you-go basis rather than through debt

financing.

The report concludes that postponing infrastructure investment

in the near-term raises overall cost and increases the likelihood of

water main breaks and other infrastructure failures. However, the

$1 trillion investment necessary through 2035 does not have to

be made all at once. There is time to implement asset manage-

ment plans and set rates that more closely reflect the cost of water

service.

The needs uncovered in Buried No Longer are large, but they

are not insurmountable, AWWA Executive Director David

LaFrance concludes.

$1 Trillion Investment in US Water

Infrastructure Needed, Says AWWAReport

Asset management and financing needs are large, but notinsurmountable, AWWA executive director says


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New Sky Energy was selected as the winner of the Wastewater

Prize by Imagine H2O, a San Francisco-based nonprofit organiza-

tion that helps entrepreneurs turn water challenges into business

opportunities.

New Sky Energy is part of an emerging wave of new busi-nesses that turn wastewater into an economic opportunity with

ecological benefits, Scott Bryan, COO of Imagine H2O says. As

the winner of our Early Revenue Track, New Sky demonstrated an

intriguing technology with commercial promise.

The winners were chosen from a competitive selection of finalists

by Imagine H2Os judging panel, a group of leading experts and

investors in the water sector. Winners were selected based on their

commercial viability and promise. This years prize attracted 50

startups led by serial entrepreneurs, experienced executives and

campus engineering programs.

New Sky technology converts industrial and agricultural waste-

water and CO2

into high-value chemical products, including

carbonates (e.g., soda ash, limestone), bases (e.g., caustic soda)and important industrial gases and acids, such as hydrogen and

sulfuric acid. New Sky technology can be deployed at new plants

or integrated into existing industrial and wastewater treatment facil-

ities to produce highly valuable chemicals where they are needed.

New Sky Energy

www.newskyenergy.com

Write In 201


Write In 106

Company Recognized for Convert-

ing Wastewater into Opportunity


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Courts Put the Brakes on EPAs

Clean Water Act Authority

In a significant victory for private property rights in the conten-

tious Clean Water Act (CWA) arena, two major decisions one

by the U.S. Supreme Court and another by the federal D.C.

District Court were issued during the week of March 19, 2012.

These two decisions significantly limit authority of the U.S. Envi-

ronmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the CWA.

In Sackett v EPA, authored by Justice Scalia, the Supreme

Court unanimously held that landowners have a right to chal-

lenge EPA CWA enforcement orders in federal court before being

required to comply with such orders. In this case, EPA sent a

compliance order to the private landowners, the Sacketts, who

were building their long-planned single family home near a lake in

Idaho. The pre-enforcement order required the Sacketts to restore

an area the EPA claimed was illegally-filled wetland. EPA threat-

ened the Sackets with civil penalties of up to $37,500 per day if

they did not immediately comply. The Sacketts filed suit in federal

court claiming a violation of their due process rights under the

Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution as well as a claim that

EPAs action was arbitrary and capricious under the Administra-

tive Procedure Act (APA) under the theory that the area in ques-

tion was not jurisdictional wetlands.

The district court dismissed the Sacketts claims and the Ninth

Circuit affirmed, concluding that the CWA precluded pre-enforce-ment judicial review of compliance orders. Thus, the Sacketts

were in the untenable position of believing that the area in ques-

tion was not wetlands but having no way to challenge EPAs

determination in court unless they first complied with EPAs order.

All the while, potential fines would be incurred.

The Supreme Court overturned the Ninth Circuits decision

holding that because such orders in fact determine rights and

obligations and represent the culmination of the agencys deci-

sion-making, they are challengeable as final agency

action under the APA. This decision is certain to have far reach-

ing effects, changing how the EPA enforces the CWA as well as

other environmental statutes.

The second decision, Mingo Logan Coal Co. v. EPA, involved

EPAs authority under CWA Section 404(c) to veto CWA permits

issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In this case, EPA

exercised its veto authority against a Corps permit authorizing fill

of wetlands and waters for mountaintop mining in West Virginia.

Like the Sackett case, the facts appear to be sympathetic to the

landowner; in this case, a mine owner and permittee, who pur-

sued a CWA permit for over 10 years. The permitting process in-

volved detailed environmental review, including extensive involve-

ment by EPA. Four years after the Corps finally issued the permit,

EPA exercised its veto, claiming that, based on new information,

continued mining in streams covered by the permit would have

unacceptable impacts.

In the opinion, Judge Jackson for the D.C. District Court held

that EPA had resorted to magical thinking to grant itself broad

new authority under the CWA, finding that Congress intended

for permits to be final and that EPAs veto authority could only be

exercised prior to permit issuance. The ruling, if unchallenged

or upheld, will likely put the brakes on EPAs aggressive use of

its veto authority and should provide comfort to holders of CWApermits that they may rely on those permits without fear of a later

EPA veto.

The Significance of the Decisions

The Sackett case is important for its holding that CWA Section

309(a) compliance orders are final agency actions subject to

appeal, finding that such orders in fact determine rights and

obligations and represent the consummation of agency de-

liberations. In reaching this decision, Justice Scalia rejected the

Supreme Court rules EPA enforcement orders may be challenged;district court overturns EPAs After the Fact permit veto

By Lawrence R. Liebesman, Elizabeth Betsy Lake, Rafe Petersen and Doug Karpa


15/44


governments main reason for liberally using these orders and

their argument that Congress intended for compliance orders to

achieve efficient and quick remediation a goal that would be

hindered by judicial review, noting:

there is no reason to think that the Clean Water Act was

uniquely designed to enable the strong-arming of regulated par-

ties into voluntary compliance without the opportunity for judicial

review even judicial review of the questions whether the regu-

lated party is within the EPAs jurisdiction.

The Sackett decision is also noteworthy for what the court did

not decide. First, the court did not reach the issue of whether theSacketts could challenge the terms of the underlying compliance

order. As stated in Justice Ginsburgs concurrence:

whether the Sacketts could challenge not only EPAs author-

ity to regulate their land under the Clean Water Act but also, at this

pre-enforcement stage, the terms and conditions of the compli-

ance order, is a question todays opinion does not reach out to

resolve.

Second, the Supreme Court failed to reach the Sacketts due

process constitution-

al claim. For those

inclined to read the

tea leaves, however,

the Supreme Courts

recent denial of cer-

tiorari of a similar constitutional claim against a pre-enforcement

order under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Com-

pensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), another statute adminis-

tered by EPA, may have telegraphed that due process challenges

might receive an unfavorable hearing.Finally, Justice Alito used his concurrence as a vehicle to chas-

tise Congress and the agency for failing to resolve the notorious-

ly unclear reach of the Clean Water Act, noting that the Sacketts

plight exemplified the impact of that failure on property owners.

Implications of the Sackett Decision

The implications of the Sackett decision will take time to sort

out. Certainly, there will be an immediate effect on EPAs use of

Write In 107


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administrative orders, which have been a frequent enforcement

tool in 2011, EPA issued approximately 1,324 compliance or-

ders under various statutes. Given the risk of future challenges to

such orders, EPA will likely look towards other enforcement tools

such as issuing notices of violation. While such notices do not

create the immediate threat of penalties, EPA can be expected to

aggressively pursue recipients of such notices as a way of coerc-

ing compliance without the risk of judicial review.

Sackett might also trigger a spate of lawsuits challenging the

Corpss assertion of jurisdiction over wetlands and streams.

Justices Ginsburg and Alito both stated in their respective concur-rences that the Sacketts may immediately litigate their jurisdic-

tional challenge in federal court and that property owners like

petitioners will have the right to challenge the EPAs jurisdictional

determinations under the Administrative Procedure Act. Until

now, the EPA has been successful in preventing landowners from

challenging jurisdiction prior to enforcement actions. This left

many landowners without any avenue of relief where the Corps

and EPA had asserted jurisdiction over arguably questionable

areas, such as drainage swales and ephemeral water features.

Sackett will now likely open the door to challenge such asser-

tions of jurisdiction, even in the absence of an EPA Section 309(a)

enforcement action.

Also, given the prospect of substantially more litigation, the EPA

may well take Justice Alitos admonishments to heart and pursue

a rulemaking thereby setting a clearer standard for both landown-

ers and agency officers to use in these determinations.

Additionally, Sackett will likely have major implications for other

environmental statutes. Although some statutes, most notably

CERCLA, include express provisions barring pre-enforcement ju-

dicial review, most are not explicit about whether such challenges

are barred, leaving courts to engage in a statute-by-statute analy-

sis. Future suits challenging such orders, including orders under

statutes where the bar on pre-enforcement review had seemed tobe settled law, should be expected.

Mingo Logan Coal Company v. EPA

The Mingo Logan case examined the extent of EPAs ability to

set aside CWA permits issued by the Corps after the fact. The

mining company worked with the Corps and EPA in a contentious,

multi-year CWA permitting process after which EPA declined to

press its concerns any further. Four years after the permit was

issued and work was underway, EPA cited to new information

and issued a veto, relying on CWA Section 404(c), which autho-

rizes EPA to prohibit the specification (including the withdrawal

of specification) whenever [EPA] finds that the discharge

will have an unacceptable adverse effect on municipal water

supplies, shellfish beds and fishery areas wildlife or recreation-

al areas .

The court noted that the language of the statute was poorly

written, but that a review of the statute as a whole and the legisla-

tive history did not give EPA such open-ended veto authority.

Even considering deference to the agency under the so-called

Chevron test, Judge Jackson concluded EPAs position was nota permissible interpretation of the statute. In a harshly worded

opinion, Judge Jackson stated that EPAs decision to veto well

after the permit was issued has the air of a disappointed players

threat to take his ball and go home when he didnt get to pitch.

The court noted that:

the idea that a permit, in particular a permit which EPA

refused to suspend or modify will simply evaporate upon EPAs

say so is at odds with the exclusive permitted authority accorded

the Corps in section 404(a) and the legal protection Congress

declared that a permit would provide in section 404(p).

Specifically, Judge Jackson found that allowing EPA such unfet-

tered discretion would leave permittees in the untenable position

of being unable to rely on the sole statutory structure for measur-

ing their CWA compliance: the permit. To further support her rea-

soning, Judge Jackson cited the National Stone, Sand and Gravel

Assoc. and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce amici briefs on the

importance of finality and the adverse effects that such an open

ended risk of cancellation would have on the ability of construc-

tion and mining companies to secure credit for their operations.

While Mingo Logan is a district court case and subject to

potential appeal, it is significant in that it ended a long string of

decisions where the courts deferred to EPAs expansive view of

its CWA authority to protect the aquatic environment. The courtstressed the fact that EPAs actions clashed directly with the final-

ity of the permit process envisioned by Congress, recognizing the

important reliance that permittees place on the finality of permits

in making important business decisions.

Final Words

Both Sackett and Mingo Logan are important decisions that

reign in EPAs expansive view of its authority under the CWA.

These decisions send a strong signal to EPA that courts will not


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always defer to the agencys position that the CWA empowers EPA with unreviewable

authority to protect the aquatic environment regardless of the impact of those

actions on the regulated community and the public.

The authors are with Holland and Knights West Coast Land Use and Environment or

Government Practice Groups:

Lawrence R. Larry Liebesman is an environmental lawyer and litigator with more than

34 years of experience. Elizabeth Betsy Lake is a partner in the Government Practice

Group in the firms San Francisco office. Rafe Petersen is a partner in the firms Washing-

ton, D.C., office and a member of the Government Section. Doug Karpa is an associate in

the West Coast Land Use and Environment Group in the firms San Francisco office.

Write In 108


History of the Clean Water Act

The Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1948 was the first major U.S. law to

address water pollution. Growing public awareness and concern for controlling water

pollution led to sweeping amendments in 1972. As amended in 1977, the law became

commonly known as the Clean Water Act (CWA).

The 1977 amendments: Established the basic structure for regulating pollutants discharges into the

waters of the United States.

Gave EPA the authority to implement pollution control programs such as setting

wastewater standards for industry.

Maintained existing requirements to set water quality standards for all

contaminants in surface waters.

Made it unlawful for any person to discharge any pollutant from a point source

into navigable waters, unless a permit was obtained under its provisions.

Funded the construction of sewage treatment plants under the construction

grants program. Recognized the need for planning to address the critical problems posed by

nonpoint source pollution.

Subsequent amendments modied some of the earlier CWA provisions. Revi-

sions in 1981 streamlined the municipal construction grants process, improving the

capabilities of treatment plants built under the program. Changes in 1987 phased out

the construction grants program, replacing it with the State Water Pollution Control

Revolving Fund, more commonly known as the Clean Water State Revolving Fund.

This new funding strategy addressed water quality needs by building on EPA-state

partnerships.Over the years, many other laws have changed parts of the Clean Water Act. Title

I of the Great Lakes Critical Programs Act of 1990, for example, put into place parts

of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement of 1978, signed by the U.S. and Canada,

where the two nations agreed to reduce certain toxic pollutants in the Great Lakes.

That law required EPA to establish water quality criteria for the Great Lakes address-

ing 29 toxic pollutants with maximum levels that are safe for humans, wildlife, and

aquatic life. It also required EPA to help the States implement the criteria on a specic

schedule.

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency


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Its often said that an economy runs on oil, but it also could

be said that it runs on water. Its estimated that 15% of freshwa-

ter worldwide is used for industrial purposes, and in the United

States the number is even higher some 45% of freshwater

withdrawals in the U.S. is used for industrial purposes such as

cooling, as a solvent or in chemical processing, Heiner Markhoff,

president and CEO of Water and Process Technologies for GE

Power & Water, says.

Its this kind of thinking that has led GE,

the worlds largest industrial company,

to commit itself to addressing some

of the key water issues that will define

the 21st century. To start, the company

has launched Knowledge Central, its

customer portal for water and process

technologies. And it has dedicated itself

to developing membrane and thermal

technologies that will make water more

available for reuse in industrial environments.

This work is today visible in wastewater management being

done in the Alberta oil sands. Use of GE evaporation technolo-gies for the recovery of blow down from steam generators is

gaining traction there, the company says. Its producer custom-

ers are seeking sustainable production processes that satisfy

increasingly stringent environmental regulations.

Recovering Wastewater

In one example, GE wastewater evaporation technologies have

been selected to improve recovery at an existing oil sands project

near Fort McMurray in Alberta, Canada. The facility uses once-

through steam generators (OTSGs) to produce steam, which

drives the steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) process for

the production of bitumen the heavy crude oil produced from

oil sands.

GEs system will recycle a portion of the OTSG blowdown,

thereby decreasing the volume of liquid waste from the facil-

ity and increasing the volume of boiler feed water available for

steam generation and bitumen production.

The Fort McMurray project is the fifth

to use GE evaporation technologies for

OTSG blowdown treatment, GE says.

And to date, 14 SAGD projects have

selected GE evaporation technologies,

including six over the past 19 months, for

their produced water and OTSG blow-

down treatment applications.

With 20 evaporators, crystallizers and

dryers installed or under construction at

heavy oil, in-situ thermal production facilities in the Alberta Oil

Sands alone, GE says it continues to lead the way in the safe and

reliable treatment of produced water and OTSG blow down forboiler feed water and zero liquid discharge (ZLD).

Another aspect of GEs work in the oil sands is a three-year,

$15 million partnership with the Alberta Water Research Institute,

already underway. The partnership uses GEs water technology,

including advanced membranes, thermal evaporation systems,

mobile filtration units and water treatment chemistry, to develop

ways of reducing overall water use in the oil sands.

GE is also partnering with the University of Alberta and Alberta

Innovates Technology Futures (AITF) on a $4 million CO2

capture


GE Commitment to Global Water

Challenges Evidenced in AlbertaOil Sands

Evaporation technologies, research into produced water treatmentand partnerships among efforts aimed at overall goal of reduced

water use


19/44

project supported by the Climate Change and Emissions Man-

agement Corp. Together, the members are looking at research in

nanotechnology to tackle pressing environmental challenges fac-

ing the oil sands including reduction of CO2

emissions associ-

ated with extraction and upgrading, and treatment of produced

water generated during the oil recovery.

What Theyre After

Ultimately, the successful commercial-

ization of the research and widespreadadoption could reduce CO

2emissions

from the production of synthetic crude oil

from the oil sands by up to 25%, GE says.

In September 2010, GE and The Gov-

ernment of Alberta signed an agreement

that will establish new technology centers

in Alberta and facilitate collaboration with

the province in areas of shared expertise.

The GE Innovation Centre should enable

collaboration on solutions to the energy,

water and infrastructure challenges facing

Alberta and the world. Located within the

GE Innovation Center is the GE Global

Heavy Oil Centre of Excellence, to lever-

age engineering resources to develop

solutions to the challenges associated

with heavy oil.

At end of day, water and processing

technologies from GE Energy have made

it an important player in markets for

produced water evaporation and crystal-

lization systems, having developed its

patented high pH evaporation technologyin the late 1990s and optimized its evapo-

ration and crystallization technologies

over the past 10 years.

We are aligning our businesses to

best meet the needs of Canadas oil

sands industry by offering more energy

and water efficient products and ser-

vices, says Jeff Connelly, vice president,

engineered systemswater and process

technologies, GE Power & Water.

GE Power & Waterwww.gewater.comWrite In 202


Write In 109


20/44


Membranes Have Many Uses in

Water Recovery and ChemicalProcesses

Membrane use today is accepted as an integral part of water

recycling. Membranes replace chemical treatments, reducing ma-

terials, analytical and labor costs. Once treated with ultrafiltration

and reverse osmosis membranes, typical wastewater can be sent

back to the facility as clean water.

For in-process applications, membrane systems update,

enhance or replace conventional processes. Many operations

require water removal to achieve greater product recovery and re-

duce material disposal costs. Membranes are an efficient means

to filtration and separation, besides reducing costs.

Chemical companies also rely on membrane filtration systems

for front-end water treatment, often with reverse-osmosis mem-

branes, to ensure consistent process water quality. As can be

seen below, membranes are being applied to a growing number

of water-related and chemical processes.

Membrane Applications

Membrane filtration concentrates spent materials for disposal or

recycling. In chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) applications,

for example, spent silica solution used for polishing and contami-

nant removal is concentrated using ultrafiltration and reverse-os-

mosis membranes. Increased efficiencies are gained by capturingvaluable raw materials from wash water for reuse; silica is recov-

ered, as are paints, dyes, inks, catalysts, surfactants and precious

metals. Decontaminated filtrate is also recovered.

Moreover, membrane filtration is an effective alternative in op-

erations involving evaporation, or dewatering, to concentrate the

process stream. In latex, mineral and other applications, dewater-

ing by membrane systems cuts drying costs. Ultrafiltration and

reverse osmosis technology reduce operating costs compared to

using an evaporator.

Diafiltration, a wash process, is another key application. Hol-

low fiber ultrafiltration membranes are used to displace materials,

such as salts, from retained solids, as in manufacture of inks, dyes

and pigments. Ink processes can have high salt concentrations;

the salts are easily separated from the inks using a correctly sized

membrane. Tubular membranes, for high solid streams, wash out

unwanted dissolved contaminants from pigments made for the

textile industry.

Industrial Biotechnology Applications

Membrane filtration technology is being adopted in biofuels

production and integrated biorefineries. Membrane use is rising

in biodiesel processes where membranes facilitate water reuse,

particularly in areas where water is scarce. Membranes are also

being used to achieve optimum yields in continuous- and batch-

fermentation processes.

Much work is being done using membrane filtration to extract

fermentable material in second-generation cellulosic bioethanol

production. For example, ultrafiltration clarifies the process stream

after turning it into sugars during the saccharification process.

An emerging process for the biofermentation cycle converts cel-

lulosic materials to sugars and then ferments them to organic com-pounds in the form of acids and alcohols. Crossflow filtration using

spiral-wound and hollow-fiber membranes is being employed to

provide high product recovery and consistent filtrate quality.

Chemical processes involving fermentation also use mem-

branes. Microfiltration and ultrafiltration membranes remove the

bulk of the microbial cell mass and proteins, improving down-

stream product recovery. Nanofiltration contributes to process ef-

ficiency by removing low molecular weight components like color

bodies or monovalent salts from the process stream. Reverse

Technology is poised to play a significant role in advances inindustrial processes

By Francis Brady


21/44


Write In 110

osmosis can enable recovery and reuse of water or recover

product from certain dilute product streams.

Four primary membrane technologies, spanning a range of

pore sizes, cover applications from removing salt to filtering

large particulates in viscous fluids. Reverse osmosis offers the

finest degree of separation, followed by nanofiltration, ultrafiltra-

tion and microfiltration.

Microfiltration systems operate at relatively low pressures and

come in a variety of configurations. Microfiltration has significant

applications in simple dead-end filtration for water, sterile fruit

juices, wine and aseptic pharmaceuticals. A large portion of the

microfiltration market has been captured by crossflow. The most

common application here is the clarification of whole cell broths

and purification processes in which macromolecules are sepa-

rated from other large molecules, proteins or cell debris.

Ultrafiltration is a pressure-driven process that removes emul-

sified oils, metal hydroxides, colloids, emulsions, dispersed ma-

terial, suspended solids and other large molecular weight ma-

terials from water and other solutions. Ultrafiltration membranes

are characterized by their molecular weight cut-off. Ultrafiltration

excels at clarification of solutions containing suspended solids,

bacteria and high concentrations of macromolecules.

Nanofiltration functions similarly to reverse osmosis, but is

generally targeted to remove only divalent and larger ions.

Monovalent ions such as sodium and chloride pass through a

nanofiltration membrane; therefore many of its uses involve de-

salting of the process stream. In water treatment, nanofiltration

membranes are used for hardness removal in place of water

softeners pesticide elimination and color reduction.

Reverse osmosis membranes feature the smallest pores and

involve, appropriately enough, reversal of osmotic pressure to

drive water away from dissolved molecules. Reverse osmosis is

not a size-exclusion process based on pore size; it depends on

ionic diffusion to affect separation. One of its common applica-tions is seawater desalination. Reverse osmosis is also used in

wastewater volume reduction and other industrial processes.

Francis Brady is process technology team leader, Koch

Membrane Systems, Inc.

Koch Membrane Systems

www.kochmembrane.comWrite In 203


22/44


Finding the best way to mix solids and liquids to create slurry

and at the same time use the least amount of floor space, energy

and human resources is a challenge in water treatment, as well

as other chemical industries. It can be done, however, with the

right equipment and engineering skill.

The most common way to make slurry is to introduce the pow-

der into a liquid-filled tank. To work, an operator must manually

open the tank hatch, lift the bag of powdered product, slit it open,

and then dump the dry contents into the tank. The mixture is then

blended through agitation. Problems arise, however, in that this

way of working can produce substantial dusting, create inefficient

liquid-to-solids contact and is labor intensive.

Dusting leads to housekeeping challenges, and can poten-

tially affect a companys Certified Good Manufacturing Practices,

(CGMP). For applications using caustic or hazardous chemicals,

dusting can raise exposure issues. This concern increases when

operators must handle and dump powder bags. To the risk of

exposure must be added the physical risks of ladder climbing

while carrying bulk bags to a raised platform, as well as that of

lifting bulk dry-product bags when weight inside the bag could

shift unexpectedly and cause injury.

Moreover, dumping a large mass of dry product into a liquid

can cause an undesirable exothermic reaction. This heat-pro-

ducing chemical reaction can lead to inconsistent or poor-qualityend product. Finally, standard

agitation mixing too often ends

in insufficient wetting of pow-

der, and there is the potential

for a process bottleneck when

achieving uniform blending takes

additional time.

The New Resolution

The good news for process

design engineers is that there is

a better way to mix solutions and

slurries.

To start, its important to work

collaboratively with a custom-design equipment manufacturer

that understands the challenges

particular to the chemicals being

mixed. Basic process-design

concepts can be described, but

only with the understanding that

each system constitutes a unique

set of variables. Standard equip-

ment may not deliver best results

Need a Recipe for Good Slurry?Its all about mixing effectively, economically and safelyBy Dan Haugh

Slurry mixed with a vacuum conveyor to direct slurry (as shown above); multiple powders mixed in slurry;

and slurry mixed using a helix conveyor are among the many equipment configurations that can be usedto meet needs for good slurry.

[ ]


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when applied to challenging processes.

The basis for a more effective dry and liquid mixing is a system

that includes a wetting cone and eductor working in combination

with a powder feeder. In this scenario, the process begins with a

metered solution, using the wetting cone to ensure good contact

between powder and liquid.

The eductor uses the flow of liquid through an orifice to create

a vacuum through a calculated pressure drop. The vacuum then

draws the powder and wetting solution through the eductor. The

wetting stream, which is roughly 10% of the total flow before the

eductor, is introduced tangentially to produce a vortex effect. The

vortex allows the powder and liquid to pre-mix prior to flowing

through an eductor.

Turbulence created by the vortex effectively completes the

blending process as the mixture passes through the eductor. For

applications involving powders that are difficult to wet, or where

powder handling can be hazardous, best-practice design stipu-

lates a self-contained system for adding one or more powders to

the mixing solution.

This mixing method works exceptionally well in a variety of

chemical processing applications. It also solves many of the

common mixing challenges found in food, pharmaceutical, water

treatment, and oil and gas industries.

A Customizable Solution

From this core mixing design, configurations can be developed

that meet specific application requirements. One example is for

delivering slurry in either measured batches or continuous flow.

In this instance, use stipulates multi-powder loss-and-weight

feeders coupled with a hoist-assisted bag unloader and bag-

dump station. The operator simply loads the bulk powder using a

hoist or bag-dump station.

Another possible configuration makes use of a helix or tubular-

drag conveyor to deliver the powder to the feeder, eliminating the

need for manual dumping and minimizing operator risk. In com-

bination with a weight-and-loss auger style feeder, or volumetric

auger style feeder, this allows for the accurate mixing of solutions

and slurries with, or without, a known concentration.


Write In 111


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Other engineered configurations are easily conceivable to ad-

dress specific challenges presented by the chemical properties

of the products being processed. (See illustration on page 20).

If youre ready for a new or improved slurry mixing system,

consider the following. First, the viscosity of the resulting slurry or

solution must not exceed the educators specifications. When

viscosity is too high, a standard eductor will fail to create a

vacuum, resulting in poor mixing or none at all. Special eductors

can be used when viscosity exceeds standard capacity.

The second consideration is taking into account that the maxi-

mum allowable back-pressure is 15 psig, which can limit the verti-

cal discharge lift height. The use of a loss-in-weight feeder, or a

more cost-effective volumetric feed system, permits a controlled

and accurate feed for a slurry or solution. This enables virtually

instantaneous mixing at any required concentration. The density,

total solids and flow rate of the slurry can be measured using a

Coriolis meter.

Optimal Mixing

EP Minerals, Reno, Nev., is a major producer of diatomaceous

earth; cellulose and perlite filter aids; and coatings, absorbentsand soil additives. The company enlisted Hapman to help

develop an optimized manufacturing process for diatomaceous

earth slurry to meet their customers specifications for coating

paper products. The solution had to add dry diatomaceous earth

at an accuracy of 2%, and a concentration of 7.15% by weight.

Because the diatomaceous earth was delivered in super sacks

(bulk bags), a system featuring a combination bulk bag unloader

with a feeder, and an eductor with a wetting cone was recom-

mended (see Illustration on this page).


The equipment configuration shown above could be used when multiple

powders are mixed in a slurry.

Slurry can also be mixed using a helix conveyor.

In the case study example, slurry was mixed using a hoist and trolley

bulk bag unloader with a feeder, and an educator with a wetting cone, as

shown above.


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Given the above, the eductor systems flexibility proved benefi-

cial for several reasons. An eductor type mixing system can be

used on a batch or continuous basis. With a continuous process,

slurry concentration can be controlled based on parameters such

as pH, conductivity, flow, pressure, temperature, and rate of reac-

tion. The concentration of a solution or slurry can be adjusted

from batch to batch.

A bulk bag unloader was included in the system. Equipped

with load cells, it was able to measure how much material was

delivered over time.

To ensure optimal performance, Hapman first established a

materials rate to determine the most efficient size for the feeder

and the eductor. The bulk density of the diatomaceous earth was

stated as 16 lbs/cu.ft. It was further determined that a rate of 22

cu.ft/hr was needed to successfully achieve a concentration of

7.15%. The following steps were used to determine feeder and

eductor size:

Determine the feed rate required (22 cu.ft./hr) and select the

feed rate. (See table 1 on page 24)

1. Select the maximum discharge pressure required (5 psig).

Using the standard eductor, the maximum pressure drop allowed

is 5 psig.

2. If the feed rate is exceeds 24 cu.ft./hr, or the maximum

discharge pressure is not acceptable, then find the appropriate

multiplier and divide that multiplier by the actual rate. (See table 2

on page 24).

3. Use the multiplier to find the required liquid flow rate.

The data from the EP Minerals application is shown in tables

1-3. The selected eductor is 1, to meet a feed rate of 10 gpm,

with a not-to-exceed 5 psig back pressure on the discharge of

the eductor. Because of the abrasiveness of diatomaceous earth,

stainless steel construction was selected for the system.

Next, the auger size of the feeder was determined, based on

feed/dosing rate (See table 3 on page 24). An appropriate nozzle

was then selected to match the screw.

The final step was to determine if the system should be




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controlled by volume or by weight. Because of the applicationsneed for accuracy, a weight-based system was selected. Though

more expensive and complex than standard volumetric controls, a

weight-based system allows for 0.5% accuracy. A volumetric con-

trol has an accuracy margin of between 2% to 5%, and would not

have worked with this applications process specifications.

Final Words

This case study demonstrates how an eductor-based mixing

system can effectively handle a wide range of materials, and

how overall

process opti-

mization can

be achieved.

In addition,

the educ-

tor mixing

system offers

increased efficiencies over a conventional system of mixing by

allowing solutions and slurries to be made on demand as op-

posed to pre-mixed in large holding tanks. Another important

benefit is the system limits exposure to operators, and mitigates

issues of de-

livering solid

material in a

large vapor

space.

The designflexibility of

an educator-

based mixing

system offers

a high level

of custom-

ized configu-

rations. This

allows process design engineers the opportunity to efficiently and

effectively meet the demands of a facilitys many different raw

material handling needs.

Dan Haugh is Product Manager with Hapman. Haugh earned a

Bachelor of Chemical Engineering degree from Georgia Institute

of Technology, with a concentration in polymer science, andgraduate work in biochemical engineering. He also studied elec-

trical engineering at the University of Houston, and has worked

in the pharmaceutical, chemical, food, packaging, energy, and

manufacturing industries.

Hapman

www.hapman.com

Write In 204



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Write In 114


Just Inaugurated

Water-treatmentBusiness ServesChemical Needs of

Western USThe TryLine Group of chemical market-ing specialists has launched a new division

supporting the needs of industries requiring

clean water and filtration solutions. Dubbed

the Industrial & Water Treatment Division, the new business unit will meet the chemi-

cal filtration needs of manufacturers, refiners and other industries in the western

United States.Initially, the new business unit will resell the premium carbon filtration products from

Jacobi Carbons of Sweden. TryLines Industrial & Water Treatment Division expects

regional oil refiners, wood treatment facilities, pharmaceutical companies, major wine

and spirit producers and chemical manufacturers to be among the divisions initial

customers.

The TryLine Group will handle the following product lines from Jacobi Carbons:

EcoSorb activated carbons to remove odors from air and gases,

AquaSorb products for removal of dissolved organic contaminants from water, and

ColorSorb to remove color bodies from food, oils, pharmaceuticals and chemicals.

Our new division fulfills a distinct need for access to top-of-the-line water purifica-

tion and industrial filtration products from international manufacturers, says Carol

Gothenquist, business director at TryLines Industrial & Water Treatment unit. Carbon

products from Jacobi are just the first of numerous water purification and contami-

nant-removal products well offer to regional customers.

TryLine Group

www.trylinewater.comWrite In 205


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Clarifier and Ultrafiltration Combo

Reduces Disinfection Byproducts

The High Point Water Treatment plant near Henager, Ala.,

was built in response to increasing populations in the Northeast

Alabama Water District (NEAW), which growth had led to an

expansion of its service area and an increasing demand load. The

district today services 15,200 connections within 2,052 square

miles a very large distribution area.

To increase capacity and bring water treatment closer to its resi-

dents, in 2010, NEAW and Constantine Engineering constructed

the High Point water treatment plant. WesTech Engineering sup-plied critical equipment in the construction of the High Point water

treatment plant, including a solids contact clarifier and ultrafiltra-

tion membrane system. This type filtration system is used by both

municipalities and industries to produce high-quality drinking and

process water.

As is well known, to protect drinking water from disease-causing

organisms, or pathogens, water suppliers often add a disinfectant,

such as chlorine, to drinking water. However, according to the

EPA, disinfection practices can be complicated because certain

microbial pathogens, such as Cryptosporidium, are highly resis-

tant to traditional disinfection practices. Also, disinfectants them-

selves can react with naturally-occurring materials in the water to

form byproducts, which may pose health risks. A major challenge

for water suppliers is how to control and limit the risks from patho-

gens and disinfection byproducts (DBPs).

High Point receives its raw water indirectly from the Tennessee

River. River water is pumped five miles and more than 700 feet in

elevation to a 4.2 million gallon storage reservoir at the plant loca-

tion. Managing disinfection byproducts within large distributionareas, says WesTech Engineering, is difficult at best. Besides

large distribution areas, long chlorine contact times, dead zones

and regrowth contribute to high DBPs.

Equipment Selection

The system installed at High Point, by removing dissolved

organic carbon (DOC) in the clarified water, minimized disinfection

byproducts. The new plant has reduced turbidity and total organic

carbon (TOC), increased water quality and simplified operations

and maintenance.

Enhanced flocculation clarifiers and membrane filtration

specifically solids contact clarifiers and ultrafiltration were cho-

sen as the best method to treat for dissolved organic carbon and

turbidity. The plants design allowed for the addition of granular

activated carbon (GAC) or powder activated carbon (PAC) in thefuture if needed. WesTech was contracted to supply the majority

of the process equipment used for organics removal and im-

proved water quality.

WesTechs Solids CONTACT CLARIFIER is an enhanced floc-

culation device that delivers internal solids recirculation, gentle

flocculation and gravity sedimentation in a single unit. Compared

to a conventional clarifier, the unit is said to deliver high-volume

internal-solids recirculation and low floc shear, while using less

horsepower. Through TOC removal, the High Point water

Northeast Alabama Water District invests in technology for theHigh Point water treatment plant

An ultrafiltration system removes pathogen and particulate matter

using low pressure membranes.

[ ]26 May 2012|Water/Waste Processing | www.waterwaste.com


29/44


treatment plant has seen reduced DBP production due, in part, to

the effectiveness of the WesTech clarifier.

The solids contact clarifier has the ability to act as both an

enhanced flocculation device as well as a high-rate chemical

precipitator.

By effectively reducing TOC and turbidity, solids contact clari-

fiers have demonstrated ability to deliver excellent pretreatment to

membrane filters. The need for chemical cleaning of the filters is

decreased with TOC removal, in turn increasing the efficiency of

the membrane filter.

Pathogen & Particulate Removal

The WesTech AltaFilter Utrafiltration Membrane System, with a

membrane pore size of 0.01m, is said by the company to pro-

vide the highest level of pathogen and particulate-matter removal

available from low-pressure membrane filters. The AltaFilter also

is said to consistently produce the highest possible quality filtrate,

with greater than 4 log removal of Cryptosporidium and Giardia.

WesTechs solids contact clarifier and ultrafiltration membrane

system together improve High Points overall water quality by

reducing turbidity, removing pathogens and meeting secondary

performance standards.

The new High Point facility has been on line since January

2011. It has delivered needed improvements in the operations

of the Northeast Alabama Water District. Turbidity and TOC have

been reduced to meet or surpass requirements. Water quality has

increased and operations and maintenance is simplified.

The community and NEAW alike are pleased with WesTechs

installation of the new equipment. Operators were especially

pleased with the extra level of training, provided by WesTech.

WesTech was real easy to work with and helpful with sending

people to train the operators. Were also getting really good

numbers, Mike Smith, compliance operator, says.

WesTech Engineering, Inc.

www.westech-inc.comWrite In 206

Write In 115


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While thermal dispersion gas mass flowmeters have a proven

track record in wastewater treatment, they are now finding ad-

ditional municipal and industrial process applications driven by

U.S. government initiatives.

A Southern California manufacturer of thermal mass flowme-

ters has been responding to this trend for some time, working

with customers tasked with meeting these new requirements. In

addition, energy costs are driving economic justification for more

water and industrial process plants to harvest by-product waste

gases to fuel on-site CHP and co-generation systems.Newer applications in areas such as bio-mass, landfill gas

recovery, coal mine and coal bed methane recovery and other

green energy processes, as well as clean coal gasification and

ethanol production are ideal for thermal flowmeters. They can

measure extremely low flows, have wide turndowns and are ac-

curate in mixed-gas composition applications. Furthermore, there

is no necessity to generate a differential pressure and they do

not create a large pressure drop, senior member of the techni-

cal staff, Fluid Components International (FCI) LLC, San Marcos,

Calif., Jim DeLee says.

Its well known that the differential pressure (dP) method

calculates fluid flowrate by measuring the pressure drop across

a pipe restriction. This technique has a long history in industry.

However, when measuring flow of compressible gas materials,

volumetric flow is not very meaningful. And, to infer mass flow

requires adding temperature and pressure sensors and a mass

flow computer. Thermal dispersion mass flowmeters, on the other

hand, measure mass flowrate directly.

Why It Works Well

Thermal dispersion technology places two thermowell-protected

platinum RTD temperature sensors in the process stream. In the

constant power thermal dispersion technique, one RTD is heated

while the other senses the actual process temperature. The tem-perature differential between the two sensors is directly propor-

tional to the fluid mass flowrate. Its highly accurate, and because

there are no moving parts, there is virtually no maintenance.

Thermal dispersions direct mass flow measurement technolo-

gy is suited to provide flowrate and totalized flow data for process

control, emissions measurements and regulatory compliance as

well as for carbon trading and greenhouse gas reduction incen-

tives. These instruments measure flowrate over a wide range,

feature up to a 1000:1 turndown, and are applied to pure or

mixed-composition gases as well as clean or dirty, dry or wet gas

installations. Thermal dispersion mass flowmeters can be in-

stalled in line sizes as small as 0.25 inch to the largest of stacks.

Municipal wastewater treatment plants still remain one of the

largest users of thermal flowmeters. Their primary applications are

in aeration basin air flow control and digester processes, DeLeesays. In aeration, air is pumped into basins to sustain the microor-

ganisms that treat the sewage, DeLee says. Volumetric flowmeters

could be thrown off by seasonal ambient temperature changes.

Anaerobic digesters, used by many municipal wastewater

treatment facilities, generate digester gas, which is a mixed-

composition of methane, CO2

and trace gases. While historically

flared, facilities now have the incentive to use the gas. Today, the

methane is fed to engines and turbines to produce electricity.

Thermal flowmeters are widely deployed and the industrys


Thermal Dispersion Gas Mass Flow-

meters Find Energy Efficient UsesWidely used in wastewater treatment, direct mass-flow measure-ment delivers benefits across the emerging industrial landscape


31/44

preferred solution for digester gas measurements, Delee says.

Other Notable UsesWe believe there is a synergy arising from the need for green-

house gas monitoring, electric power co-generation and alterna-

tive energy resource development that

is expanding the applications for thermal

mass flowmeters. This trend is expanding

from the wastewater treatment plant sec-

tor into other impacted and opportunistic

industries, DeLee concludes. Some of

these applications are as follows:

In ethanol production and refining, ther-

mal mass flowmeters accurately measure

fuel gas, air flows and waste gases in

lines operating with variable temperatures

and flowrates to optimize ethanol process

productivity. Production is a distillationprocess relying on boilers whose efficien-

cy is optimized by controlling air-to-fuel

ratio using flowmeters.

Thermal mass flowmeters in coal mine

methane recovery systems measure the

extracted gas, support efficient operation

of co-gen engines or methane oxidizer sys-

tems and provide data for GHG reporting

and incentive credits. Recovery and use of

methane gas from coal mining is creating a

new energy resource and reducing a major

source of green-house gases.

Thermal mass flowmeters measure

biogas from biomass fermentation and

recovery operations. A byproduct oforganic waste from fruit and vegetable

peelings or meat preparation in the food

and beverage industry, biogas is a mix

of methane and carbon dioxide, as well

as water and trace amounts of hydrogen

sulfide. Crop, food or agricultural waste

is digested under anaerobic conditions in

a reactor tank or fermentation tower with

the biogas used as fuel.

Fluid Components International

www.fluidcomponents.com

Write In 207


Write In 116


32/44

The American Water Works Associations (AWWA) 2012 Annual

Conference & Exposition (ACE12) will be held June 10-14, in Dal-

las, Texas. The global water community will gather at the Dallas

Convention Center to explore the future of safe water, gain insight

into cutting-edge research and best practices and experience the

latest products and services available to the water community.

ACE12 will feature eight in-depth, interactive workshops and

more than 100 professional sessions comprising more than 550presentations. Attendees will have the opportunity to earn contact

hours for the distribution and plant operations, engineering and

construction, manufacturers and associates, reuse, small systems

and water quality tracks. Additionally, Sunday workshops and

facility tours may qualify for contact hours.

More than 500 service providers will exhibit at ACE12, showcas-

ing the latest products and services for all aspects of the water

industry. These exhibitors will offer expert insight and hands-on

understanding for everything from pipes to valves, meters to

hydrants, engineering services to tank-related companies, mem-

brane filtration systems to laboratory equipment and security to

wastewater. The New Product Technology Showcase will return to

highlight the newest and most innovative products and technol-

ogy available.

Keynote speakers will include Steve V. Roberts, a leading politi-

cal pundit and award-winning journalist,

and three-time Super Bowl champion

Emmit Smith. Roberts will share his experi-

ences in covering politics and provide his

opinions of the upcoming 2012 electionsduring the Opening General Session on

June 11. Roberts has covered many of the

major events of the last three decades,

including nine presidential election cam-

paigns, and has been named one of the

top 50 journalists by Washingtonian Maga-

zine. Of particular interest to conference

attendees will be a prediction of the out-

come of the 57th U.S. presidential election

this November and the impacts the drinking

water sector might face as a result. Smith,

an active and forward-thinking business-

man, will serve as the 2012 Water Industry

Lunch Speaker. Currently, Smith is the majority partner and co-

chairman of ESmith Legacy, Inc., a Dallas-based commercial realestate and investment company founded to focus and deliver real

estate solutions and services for both general and minority market

development.

ACE12 will also offer unique events focused on sections, diver-

sity issues, young professionals, students, public officials, opera-

tors, international attendees and first-time attendees. The annual

Pipe-Tapping Contest, Top Ops Competition, Meter Madness and

the Best of the Best Water Taste Test will be held as well.


ACE12 Show Preview

Water experts to gather in Dallas for the American Water WorksAssociations Annual Conference & Exposition


33/44



Rugged, Reliable Meters Level and PressureMeasurement Instrumentation

For nearly 30 years,

Great Plains Industries

has built rugged, reli-

able meters. The GPI

Industrial Meter family

includes a full line of

meters in various ma-

terials, sizes and fitting

options. GPI provides

unparalleled cus-

tomer service, on-time

delivery and product quality and offers a full line of flowmetersdesigned specifically for the water and wastewater industries.

GPIs water meters include a complete line of low cost PVC

water meters and stainless steel meters for water flow measure-

ment with trace chemicals. Booth 1240.

Great Plains Industries, Inc.

www.gpi.netWrite In208

Keller is a leading manufacturer

of level and pressure measure-

ment instrumentation. Many

products include guaranteed

lightning protection and short,

three-day lead times at no ad-

ditional cost. With the advent of

inexpensive, miniaturized mi-

croprocessors, Keller continues

to advance the state-of-the-artwith Total Error Band performance not possible just a few short

years ago. Annual sensor production, combining OEMs with

their own transmitter products, now exceeds 1 million pieces.

Booth 1015.

Keller America, Inc.

www.kelleramerica.comWrite In209


34/44

Maintenance Solutions Reliable HandheldInstruments

Process Equipment for Water

Treatment

Engineered Fluid Solutions

Ludeca, Inc. provides predictive, preventative and correc-

tive maintenance solutions consisting of laser shaft coupling

alignment tools, portable and online

vibration analysis and balancing

devices, software, services and

training. The companys headquar-

ters, located in Miami, Fla., occu-

pies 29,000 square feet. This loca-tion contains a NUPIC approved

calibration laboratory with NIST

certified calibration equipment,

ESD protected repair department,

training facilities, warehouse and

office space. Booth 1125.

Ludeca, Inc.

www.ludeca.comWrite In 210

Myron L manufactures reliable handheld instruments and moni-

tor/controllers for managing critical water quality parameters:

conductivity, resistivity, TDS, pH, ORP, free chlorine, temperature,

alkalinity, hardness and LSI. Since the 1960s, the company has

established itself as the leading manufacturer of high quality and

simple to operate conductivity and pH instrumentation formunicipal, commercial and industrial water quality control, chem-

ical concentration testing and process control. Booth 1936.

Myron L Company

www.myronl.comWrite In211

Since 1973, WesTech

Engineering, Inc. has

manufactured process

equipment for treatment

of groundwater, surface

water, water reclaimation,

potable water and water

pre-treatment for commu-

nities, cities and industry.

Employee-owned,

WesTech is committed to bettering society providing value in

the supply of intelligent process solutions and building relation-

ships through responsive service. Booth 2332.

WesTech Engineering, Inc.

www.westech-inc.comWrite In213

SPX designs, manufactures and markets engineered solutions/

products used to process, blend, meter and transport fluids.A global leader in the food & bever-

age, energy and industrial markets

worldwide, SPX Flow Technology

helps customers improve the per-

formance and profitability of their

manufacturing operations and

processes with solutions enriched

by in-depth application exper-

tise and a finely meshed cus-

tomer service and spare parts

network. SPX brands serving

global water/wastewater mar-

kets include: Bran+Luebbe,

ClydeUnion Pumps and

Lightnin. Booth 3523.

SPX Flow Technology

www.spxft.comWrite In212


ACE12 Show Preview


35/44

Storage Tanks and Covers

Liquid PolymerActivation/Dilution/Feed Systems

CST Industries, Inc. is the complete storage system provider for engineering and manufacturing pro-

fessionals in thousands of different industries and applications throughout the world. The company is

the global leader in the manufacture and construction of factory coated metal storage tanks, alumi-

num domes and specialty covers and reclaimer systems. CSTs existing company portfolio consists of

CST Storage, CST Covers, Weaver Reclaimer Systems and Vulcan Tanks. Booth 1309.

CST Industries, Inc.

www.cstindustries.comWrite In214

Fluid Dynamics,

a leading manu-

facturer of liquid

and dry poly-

mer blending

systems and a

division of Nep-

tune Chemical

Pump Co., will

demonstrate its

efficient, high

performance

dynaBLENDLiquid Poly-

mer Activa-

tion/Dilution/

Feed Systems

at

waste water may 2012

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