Faults at the Wastewater Treatment Plant
Wastewater treatment plant employees have to deal with disruptions to ongoing operations time and again. The disruptions that occur most frequently are operational disruptions. A malfunction is a temporary, definable and usually technical impairment resulting in non-performance or underperformance of the cleaning process. Thanks to the modernization of the technology used today, the fault analysis and rectification of such faults is almost completely automated.
Malfunctions, on the other hand, are impairments of a sub-process in which non-performance or underperformance of the purification process only occurs later. In the event of malfunctions in nitrification, for example, the function of other processes (sludge/water separation, carbon degradation, etc.) initially remains unaffected. Eliminating the malfunction is comparatively difficult and time-consuming.
An incident is an event that results from a malfunction in the purification process of a plant and which immediately or later leads to a serious danger for people and the environment. Incidents are usually caused by unauthorized discharges or chemicals.
Continuous Monitoring
If sample analyses are only carried out selectively, e.g. when a problem has just occurred, these analyses provide insufficient data to achieve sustainable process optimization. Continuity in the analytical monitoring of microorganisms eliminates uncertainties, enables targeted action and promotes sustainable process optimization. For more safety and active environmental protection.
Focus on the Biocenosis
The biocenosis of wastewater treatment plants is the main "engine" responsible for purification performance. If it starts to stutter, malfunctions can occur. Individual bacteria are almost never responsible for a malfunction, even if they are ultimately responsible for problems such as the formation of bulking sludge. This is almost always preceded by a change in the biocenosis. An isolated consideration of individual parameters always falls short. A holistic view is essential for the success of corrective measures.
What Should Optimal Prevention of Disorders Look Like?
Prevention of disturbances that targets primary parameters, i.e. microbiology, and is therefore faster and more effective than conventional measures, must always focus on direct monitoring of the biocenosis. If the focus is directed to the focal point, i.e. where the substances are converted, then such biocoenosis-based prevention of disturbances is more reliable and more successful than conventional methods. Operational safety is increased and the environment is protected.
Adaptation / Calibration
| Initial inventory to determine the microbiological status quo |
| Systematic inventory of the operational status quo |
| Determination of various process engineering parameters |
| Carried out once a year |
Monitoring
| Regular analysis & evaluation of the stability of the biocoenosis |
| regular analysis and evaluation of process engineering parameters |
Modulation
| Monitoring of defined interventions with the aim of optimizing the biological purification process |
| verification and adjustment of the relevant parameters to be measured with the aim of maintaining system stability and compliant operation |
Intervention
| Determination of causes, as well as fault analysis and elimination |
| Increase in the number of cycles for analysis and consulting |
| Targeted analysis thanks to existing knowledge of the system |
| Support with authority management |
Direct Microbiology
Biocoenosis-based prevention of disturbances must always be based on direct methods. Only these ensure that the biocoenosis can be analyzed quickly, specifically and comprehensively. The answer to the question "What is going on in my biocenosis?" can only be achieved with the direct identification and quantification of living bacteria. Visualization is explicitly desired because it provides a direct insight into the biocenosis of the plant.