AWWA WQTC55159

Determining if a filter run is approaching a breakthrough condition is a daily challenge for water treatment plant (WTP) operators. Current techniques look for upward trends in either turbidity or particle counts of the filter effluent. However, this does not consistently predict actual filter breakthrough. This study's objective is to determine if data from different particle detection technologies can be better utilized to characterize filter performance. Simple statistical techniques will be used to interrogate the stability of the baseline filter effluent water values. This study utilizes both traditional and new particle detection technologies to monitor filter effluent for the entire filter run. Each type of technology (particle counters, regulatory turbidimeters, and laser nephelometers) will be evaluated separately on each filter run to determine which generates the best correlation between baseline stability and filter performance. The ability of each of these particle detection technologies to predict filter breakthrough will be evaluated. Ultimately, this study will determine if such correlations can provide a definitive means of interpreting filter performance and can then be used to predict filter breakthrough. Data from complete filter runs at a pilot-scale plant will be used. The data from the filter runs, which were allowed to proceed through breakthrough, will help determine if this information can actually predict breakthrough. In addition, effluent data from several full-scale water treatment plant runs are analyzed and an example is presented. This information will be used to confirm the pilot-plant data and increase the credibility of the pilot study model. Results have shown that when laser nephelometers, and (to a lesser degree) particle counters, are used to monitor filter effluent, the measurement baseline stability decreases (the noise level increases) as the filter run progresses. The decrease in measurement stability, when observed during filter effluent monitoring is often attributed to electronic noise in the instrument. This study provides evidence that the noise is not attributed to the laser nephelometer, but instead, is due to subtle changes in the sample. Includes 3 references, table, figures.

Product Details

Edition:

Vol. - No.

Published:

01/01/2001

Number of Pages:

15

File Size:

1 file , 500 KB