Intuition-9 for Drinking Water Disinfection
Web-Enabled System Offers Improved Disinfection Control
The EPA requires drinking water to be clean and safe, and consumers expect it. To ensure water is compliant and the disinfection system is operating reliably, continuous online control monitoring and reporting are essential.
Overview
Large municipalities use SCADA systems to monitor and control the chlorination process, which is cost-prohibitive for most small communities. Standalone chlorine monitors are more affordable and help increase the system’s reliability, but they lack the ability to communicate problems. Fortunately, advancements in controller technology and changes in EPA regulations regarding direct-reading sensors have resulted in a simple solution to maintain the proper chlorine residual.
Web-enabled controllers have been developed to control the disinfection process, data log, and remotely alarm when the system is out of the control range. These controllers, coupled with amperometric direct-reading sensors, provide a reliable, low-cost system that’s easy to maintain. Remote access improves the visibility of the system while reducing the person-hours required to perform on-site inspections. These disinfection systems are appropriate and cost-effective for small decentralized drinking water systems, employing many SCADA features without significant capital investments.
One such web-enabled controller is Walchem’s Intuition-9. The controller integrates sensing, control, data logging, and remote communications in a single NEMA 4X enclosure. The user selects from a menu of standard pre-programmed algorithms, such as pulse proportional control or PID, to regulate chemical feed addition in response to varying flow rates with (12) local relays and up to (16) 4-20 mA outputs. There are up to (8) direct sensor inputs for measurements such as pH and chlorine, as well as up to (24) analog and (12) digital inputs for flow meters, tank levels, chemical pump feed verification, leak detection, etc.
Graphing, trending, and onboard diagnostics are included to troubleshoot the system and reduce on-site visits remotely. These controllers communicate their status to maintenance technicians and supervisors via WiFi or Ethernet. As well as offer free online access via the Cloud-based Fluent service.
The amperometric sensors used with the controllers read free chlorine directly, even at wide ranges of pH, without using a secondary pH sensor. The sensors monitor the residual chlorine continuously instead of intermittent sampling provided by colorimetric chlorine analyzers. Amperometric sensors don’t need reagents and less frequent routine maintenance.
The Intuition-9 gathers data and provides a method for interaction with maintenance staff. The data and graphs can be viewed online, and that information can be used to increase the system’s efficiency. The deadband, pump speed, and control algorithms can be adjusted remotely to reduce deviation from set points and improve overall system performance. In the event of an alarm, the controller can send e-mails and cell phone text messages for rapid response. Remote access allows the user to make immediate changes to set points or turn devices on and off, such as pumps and valves, provided they have the proper security authorization. Security is an essential aspect of Web-enabled controllers. The controller should be user name and password protected. Different access levels to the controller are available, such as a view only, technician level, and admin configuration level. These different levels of access control who can make a change and the type of change they are permitted to make.
Conclusion
Advancements in controller technology, combined with the EPA’s approval of direct-reading chlorine sensors, provide smaller communities with drinking water disinfection systems that are within their budget, yet provide many of the benefits of a SCADA system.
Additional Information
The Ryan Herco Tech Support Team is available to discuss how the Intuition-9 can help your measurement and control needs. Contact us at TechSupport@rhfs.com or 877-741-7437.