Overview
The Howard F. Curren Wastewater Treatment Plant (AWTP) in Tampa improved performance by implementing online process analytics, which provide tight control of nitrification and denitrification.
With a capacity of 96 million gallons per day (MGD), it is one of the world's largest plants using advanced treatment technology, serving 110,000 customers in the city of Tampa and Hillsborough County, Florida.
By effectively controlling the quality of the effluent, the plant has made an important contribution to improving the water quality of Tampa Bay, helping the marine ecosystem recover, from seagrass, turtle grass to unique fish species.
Challenge
As Tampa's only wastewater treatment plant, influent flow rates and characteristics fluctuate continuously, requiring real-time data to control and optimize operational processes.
In the past, due to the lack of real-time information, technicians had to rely on judgment and manual inspection, which was both time-consuming and potentially risky, affecting processing performance. This was like aiming at a target in the dark, making the operation less efficient.
Applications
To address this, plant management installed three ChemScan online analyzers, which automatically sample and analyze in real time at two locations in the nitrification reactor. The equipment accurately measures nitrate and ammonia concentrations, providing critical data for optimizing the water treatment process.
The ChemScan analyzer uses UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy with 256 wavelengths to measure wastewater parameters. A single device can simultaneously monitor eight sampling points, allowing for the separate detection of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate from multiple reactors, ensuring tight control of effluent water quality.
Result
According to operations expert Robert Decker, the online monitoring system has helped eliminate manual guesswork and optimize nitrification and denitrification processes. Manual checks and adjustments were time-consuming and prone to error. Now, with accurate, real-time data, the plant can control more efficiently and reduce operating costs.
One of the key benefits is more precise aeration system regulation. When ammonia levels increase in an area, the analyzer sends an alert to activate the aeration system, ensuring optimal treatment performance. At the same time, connecting to SCADA helps automate the regulation process. Data from the analyzer is transmitted to the PLC, allowing SCADA to control the aeration system, resulting in significant energy savings and reduced operating costs.
In addition, the system helps reduce chemical costs by optimizing the amount of methanol used in the denitrification process. The plant can also prepare its own reagents instead of purchasing them from suppliers, contributing to savings in operating costs.
In addition, the automated monitoring system saves time and labor. Previously, technicians had to manually check ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, and residual chlorine every hour, then adjust the chemical dosage based on experience. Now, the analyzer operates continuously and accurately, significantly reducing the time and effort of operators.
Decker asserts: “Installing the ChemScan Online analyzer has been a game changer for us. The accurate and timely data helps the plant operate more efficiently while cutting costs.”
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