In the Opflow magazine article, “Operators Need to Know Process Control Laboratory QA/QC”, the American Water Works Association (AWWA) emphasizes that effective treatment decisions depend on accurate process control data. As the complexities of treatment continue to grow, operators must monitor multiple parameters to ensure regulatory compliance, improve process optimization and reduce risks. Common parameters include ammonia, alkalinity, hardness, turbidity, TOC, nitrate, chloride, and fluoride.
Online Multiparameter Monitoring
To effectively monitor these parameters for process control, water and wastewater facilities are shifting towards integrated, multiparameter online analyzers. Continuous monitoring across multiple parameters reduces variability, improves response times, and leads to informed process control decisions. Online monitoring provides real-time results while reducing manual sampling and analysis.
MANTECH Online Analyzers
MANTECH’s Online MO autonomous analyzer systems are robust and modular, allowing for continuous monitoring of multiple water quality parameters. Using advanced Ion Specific Electrode (ISE) technology, the MO system delivers accurate, real-time electrode measurements.
PeCOD
In addition to ISE measurements, the MO systems can integrate PeCOD technology to analyze organic parameters. MANTECH’s PeCOD sensor consists of a UV-activated nanoparticle TiO2 (titanium dioxide) that creates hydroxyl radicals for an advance oxidation process, obtaining empirical results for Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) in just 10 minutes without using harmful chemicals. PeCOD has also shown strong correlation to Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and as a result, can be used as a BOD estimator.
Furthermore, PeCOD can measure the chemical reactivity and changes in oxidizability in Natural Organic Matter (NOM), which is more sensitive than Total Organic Carbon (TOC) and UV254 to changing NOM concentrations. Because of this, PeCOD can be implemented as an “Optimized” TOC analyzer.
MT Series
Lastly, the Online MO analyzer incorporates MANTECH’s MT series which automates titrations and covers a range of parameters for analysis. Analysis types cover titrations, electrodes, color, turbidity, and more.
Past Installs
Key features:
- Diverse range of parameters: pH, Alkalinity, Conductivity, Turbidity, Fluoride, Chlorine, Nitrate, Acidity, Salinity, Ammonia, Color, Hardness, Langlier Saturation Index, Oxygen Reduction Potential (ORP), Fluorescence (e.g., humic, chlorophyll, tryptophan), Organics (BOD, COD, and TOC).
- Intuitive software: Designed to make set up, data viewing, and data management easy to navigate.
- Minimal system interaction: Fast feedback and sends alerts for reagent and consumable replacements.
- Data Output: Uses Modbus TCP communication, results are sent to SCADA or PLC, network, and email.
- Multi-stream analysis: 4 streams and 1 manual sample grab intake in a single system.
- Flexible sampling and analysis frequency: Hourly or at user-defined intervals.
Applications:
- Drinking water: Detect taste and water events caused by NOM.
- Wastewater: Monitor influent and effluent to inform treatment decisions and ensure regulatory compliance.
- Ground water: Detect seasonal changes
- Surface water: Detect seasonal storm related changes, algae propagation, and discharge infractions. Make timely decisions on drinking water treatment.
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