Water industry to profit from waste monitoring

A novel automatic load monitoring system based on the MSM400 ultrasonic sludge density monitor, enables water companies to adhere to OFWAT guidelines while improving recycling efficiency.

Solartron Mobrey has joined forces with Meteor Communications Europe to provide the water industry with an innovative solution for measuring tankered domestic waste (TDW).

The automatic load monitoring system, which includes Solartron Mobrey's MSM400 ultrasonic sludge density monitor, enables water companies to adhere to OFWAT (Office of Water Services) guidelines while also maximising revenue opportunities and improving recycling efficiency.

Developed by Meteor earlier this year for a leading water utility, it enables sewage treatment plants to measure and record the profile as well as the volume of TDW.

As a result, charges can better reflect the variable costs associated with recycling the different waste products brought to the plant.

The process also notes the contractors fob/card reference number and time at which the delivery took place as it occurs - enabling full automation of the process.

All of which has already proven to create more responsible and profitable facilities.

The MSM400 works with Meteor's state-of-the-art software to provide a profile of the load as it is flows through an automated analysis skid.

The skid, which is fixed into position by bolts, has 100mm flanges at both ends so it can connect to existing site pipework at the valve end, and via a Bauer connector to standard flexible hose couplings at the tanker end.

Unlike optical sensors, which had proven susceptible to signal degradation as a result of deposits, the ultrasonic MSM400 with stainless steel sensors has proven the perfect tool for analysing the wider particle size range and load densities found in waste received.

Project Manager at Meteor, David Parsons, explains why the company decided to use Solartron Mobrey's ultrasonic sludge density monitor: "The MSM400 is perfect for this application because of its ability to deal with such a wide range of solids.

It is also easy to maintain despite the harsh conditions of sewage treatment and only requires a six-month zero check".

Tim Chettle, Marketing Manager at Solartron Mobrey concludes: "With water utility companies under increased pressure to optimise plant efficiency and run a profitable business, this unique system from Meteor is likely to prove a highly beneficial element of plants across the UK and Europe".

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