This article contains paid for content produced in collaboration with Pollution & Process Monitoring (PPM).
Pollution & Process Monitoring (PPM) has engineered a bespoke analytical water quality system, to continuously measure the trade discharge, for the Basingstoke production facility in Hampshire.
Effluent quality is proactively managed via site telemetry, which connects to the output signals from each instrument. The installation features a large walk-in analyser kiosk, measuring 2.5 x 2.5m with wet and dry sections, equipped with a comprehensive array of instruments. Pre-installation included internal lighting, heating, sample pipework, electrical distribution and local isolation to each appliance. The analyser suite included continuous measurement of Total Organic Carbon (TOC), ammonia, ortho-phosphate, sulphate, sulphide and free chlorine. A common controller continuously reports pH, conductivity and turbidity. It displays the measurements from the individual sensors, which are mounted within a common sample break-tank.
A refrigerated automatic sampler means the client can collect discrete samples for laboratory investigation. The Basingstoke site manufactures cell culture media, and the associated production processes can create an effluent stream that is problematic for analytical measurement. So PPM installed its membrane filtration for sample preparation, removing biology and suspended solids prior to analytical measurement. The solution also integrates automatic compressed air cleaning. The regular air blast system helps to strip biofilms off the membrane surface, reducing maintenance.
The instrumentation has allowed Thermo Fisher Scientific to optimise the treatment plant, to improve the quality of its trade discharge and demonstrate compliance to the local water authority. All of the instrument signals are connected to a common signals terminal box, interrogated by the Siemens PLC system. Should the instruments detect any parameter falling outside compliant set points, the PLC control system operates a Rotork valve to divert the treated effluent for a second pass through the treatment plant.