pH Neutralization, pH adjustment » News

PAI Designs and Builds Greywater System for Worcester Polytechnic Insitute

Brian — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 13:10:38 +0000

Practical Applications, Inc. (PAI), a leading environmental engineering company, announces delivery of a water reclamation system to be installed at the future Sports and Recreation Center at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in Worcester, MA. The system’s innovative design to reuse rainwater from the roof of the new LEED-certified center supports “WPI’s commitment to environmental sustainability.”

Worcester Polytechnic Institute Greywater System

The PAI Model 1860 Greywater System operates either manually or automatically from a straightforward main control panel with up-to-date system information and current alarm status. Rainwater is collected in a main reservoir and then pumped via one of two feed pumps through a Spears inlet suction strainer to remove large particulate matter such as roofing material and leaves. The strained water is then pumped through the Micro-Z inline multimedia filter which removes most of the suspended solids. The filtered greywater will be used in WPI’s cooling towers.

Space for new construction is often a premium and successful greywater projects such as this one will include appropriately-sized tanks to recover the maximum water amount yet minimize the tank’s footprint. The tanks for PAI’s greywater system “will collect 50,000 gallons of rainwater from the roof for the cooling system, reducing the building’s water consumption by more than 800,000 gallons per year.” WPI will be getting a system that fits their space as well as their budget.

Keeping costs low by choosing the right greywater system is also a concern for businesses. The Model 1860 Greywater System has a return on investment that has a payback of less than two years. For organizations like WPI who need to keep costs low that means they can be economically as well as environmentally smart. Janice Markey, executive vice-president of PAI explains, “The cost of water has gotten to the point where it makes sense to build these things now. Fifteen years ago it didn’t, but the cost is catching up to the environmental needs. It’s great because now businesses like WPI can be environmentally sensible and save their companies money.”

Practical Applications, Inc. has been designing, building, and operating wastewater treatment systems since 1994. Operating engineers and technicians design and build effective systems that provide optimal performance while remaining economical and competitive.

DOWNLOAD A PDF OF THIS RELEASE

Press Contact:
Wiwa Deepreecha
Practical Applications, Inc.
Boston, MA 617-423-5639
wiwa@pai-online.com

Wheelabrator Agrees To Pay $7.5 million MassDEP Fine

admin — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 16:03:51 +0000

Wheelabrator has been found liable of environmental violations including repeatedly dumping wastewater into surrounding wetlands at their waste-to-energy facilities in Saugus, North Andover and Millbury and has agreed to pay the largest ever DEP fine resulting from an investigation.

Wheelabrator Saugus Plant

Wheelabrator North Andover Plant

Wheelabrator Millbury Plant

Read the details of the full investigation below:

http://www.mass.gov/dep/public/press/0511whls.htm

Practical Applications Delivers Metal Precipitation System for Exxon Mobil LNG Facility

admin — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 11:55:41 +0000

For Immediate Release: June 1, 2011

Boston, MA – Practical Applications, Inc. (PAI), a leading environmental company, has designed and built a Metal Precipitation System for SPIECAPAG, a subsidiary of ENTREPOSE Contracting. Esso Highlands Limited (a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corporation) is the operator of the Papua New Guinea Liquefied Natural Gas Project (PNG LNG) and will use the system to treat wastewater from the PNG LNG Project.

The PAI 1878 pH Adjustment and Metal Precipitation skid-mounted batch reactor is designed to treat alkaline and acid wastewater with heavy metal contaminants. The pH is adjusted in the final sequence to achieve the permissible discharge limits.
The portable, skid-mounted system is composed of the following equipment: one conical reactor vessel, one mixer, four chemical suction stations, four metering pumps two pH/temperature sensors, one pH analyzer, one flow meter with flow totalization, two electrically-actuated ball valves, two continuous capacitance level sensors (one operating and one spare), four drum low-level detector indicators, two spill containment pads, and one main control panel. The Metal Precipitation System is completely wired and plumbed for use, with only minor modifications required on-site. Likewise, the chemical metering pumps are cord and plug connected to allow for maintenance and easy set-up.

The PAI 1878 Metal Precipitation System is designed to operate automatically in batch processing mode. The Operator Interface Terminal (OIT) displays the tank pH, effluent pH and flow. The OIT tracks the number of batches the reactor has processed, allows for user modification of set points, and indicates alarm/abnormal conditions. The system is designed to operate automatically with only minimal operator interaction beyond reagent refill and inspections/maintenance.

PAI has been designing, building, and operating wastewater treatment systems since 1994. Our systems are designed and built by operating engineers and technicians who understand that an effective system must ensure optimal performance while remaining economical and competitive.

Press Contact:
Wiwa Deepreecha
Practical Applications, Inc.
Boston, MA 617-423-5639
wiwa@pai-online.com

Upper Blackstone Valley Wastewater Treatment Plant TCH Course

admin — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 15:20:28 +0000

Join us WEDNESDAY APRIL 20 for a tour of the Upper Blackstone Valley wastewater treatment plant in Millbury, MA.

We will be conducting a TCH Course from 8am to Noon, followed by the tour at 1:00.

Topics will include:

Pharmaceuticals in Wastewater
Water Reclamation
How to be a Good Operator

In addition, we will have an interactive session for the operators. You will earn 5 TCHs.

Bridgewater State University pH Adjustment System

admin — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 14:15:31 +0000

For Immediate Release: March 22, 2011

Boston, MA – Practical Applications, Inc. (PAI), a leading environmental company, has designed and built a state of the art pH Neutralization System for Bridgewater State University’s Marshall Conant Science Building in Bridgewater, MA.

The Practical Applications, Inc. (PAI) Model-1812 pH Neutralization System is designed to monitor and adjust the pH of wastewater prior to discharge to the city sewer system. This model will handle influent flows to a maximum of 33 gpm and consists of one baffled wastewater treatment tank, one mixer, two reagent pumps (one acid and one caustic), two reagent storage tanks with secondary containment, tank and effluent pH probes. The tank pH analyzer/controllers monitor and adjust pH in each tank between the pH set points established by the operator. The effluent probe monitors the discharge pH and uses this information to generate a permanent record on a digital chart recorder. If re-treatment is indicated, the system can activate a pH Out of Specification Alarm and divert the wastewater to a 500 gallon lift station tank containing two submersible centrifugal pumps.
A 4″ magnetic flow meter installed at the pH system outlet monitors and displays real time and totalized discharge flow rate to the city sewer. A signal from this unit is also sent to the chart recorder for a permanent record.

Bridgewater State University Marshall Conant Science Building pH System

The PAI Model-1812 pH Neutralization System is designed to function both continuously and automatically. Maintenance is limited to periodic inspections and calibrations, filling the acid and caustic reagent tanks and responding to system alarms.

We have worked with many industries to assist with their wastewater needs and we take ownership for their water systems, wastewater systems, sampling/self monitoring, and regulatory reporting so our customers can focus on their core business.

You may download a PDF of this press release HERE.

Press Contact:
Wiwa Deepreecha
Practical Applications, Inc.
Boston, MA 617-423-5639
wiwa@pai-online.com

POTW Gets Into Trouble

admin — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 13:12:24 +0000

The Hooksett, NH waste treatment plant had an excursion that sent millions of disks contaminated with E. coli and enterococcae into the Merrimack river and onto the beaches of Seabrook, Salisbury and Plum Island. Read the full story via the link below:

http://www.newburyportnews.com/local/x814635804/Disks-wash-up-on-shores/print

Bridgewater State University Greywater System

admin — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 15:27:21 +0000

For Immediate Release: December 6, 2010

Boston, MA – Practical Applications, Inc. (PAI), a leading environmental company, has designed and built the greywater reclamation system at Bridgewater State University’s Marshall Conant Science Building in Bridgewater, MA.

Designed to treat rainwater collected from roof leaders, the greywater is required to be filtered and disinfected with chlorine prior to being used for non-potable use in the building. The system is composed of the following equipment: (1)-Bag strainer, (2) feed pumps, (2) bag filters, (1) chlorine feeder, (1) chlorine analyzers, (1) flow meter, (1) expansion tank , (1) Dye Addition metering pump, (1) Operator Interface terminal, (1) Allen Bradley PLC, and (1) main control panel.

The greywater system operates by drawing rainwater from an external cistern into the system by one of the two feed pumps. Large particulate matter is removed by the inlet suction strainer then the water is pressurized and pumped through two bag filters in series which removes most of the suspended solids.

Bridgewater State University's Marshall Conant Science Building Greywater System

A slip stream is passed through a chlorine feeder. The slip stream flow is controlled based on the residual chlorine measured by an HF Scientific Residual Chlorine Analyzer. Chlorine is fed into the slip stream by the chlorine feeder and returned to the feed pump suction piping.
The flow rate and chlorine concentration is controlled by the chlorine analyzer. A control valve is proportionally operated to increase or decrease the chlorine dose to the system (user selectable).

The greywater system is designed to operate automatically with only minimal operator interaction beyond reagent refill and inspections/maintenance.

PAI has been designing, building, and operating waste water treatment systems since 1994. Our systems are designed and built by operating engineers and technicians who understand that an effective system must ensure performance while remaining economical to operate and maintain.

Press Contact:
Gary Broberg
Practical Applications, Inc.
Boston, MA 617-423-5639
gbroberg [at] pai-online.com

Center For Medical Science Chemical Kill System

admin — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 23:47:10 +0000

For Immediate Release: August 17, 2010

Boston, MA – Practical Applications, Inc. (PAI), a leading environmental company, recently commissioned the chemical/biological decontamination system (chemical kill system) at the Center For Medical Science in Albany, NY.

Center For Medical Science Chemical Decontamination System Tanks

The Practical Applications, Inc. (PAI) Model# 1792 Chemical Kill System is designed to chemically treat waste water generated by the Center for Medical Science (CMS) laboratory prior to sewer discharge. This model consists of two batch waste water treatment tanks with secondary containment, two mixers, four LMI reagent pumps, two chemical storage tanks with secondary containment, two ABB ORP probes, two ABB pH probes, one residual chlorine analyzer, and one ABB effluent electromagnetic flow meter. Centralized system control is provided by the main control panel mounted outside the containment area. This control panel provides all required operator interactions and the pump station for the chlorine analyzer.

Center For Medical Science Chemical Decontamination System Control Station

The chemical kill system is designed to treat laboratory waste water for CMS’s BSL-3 facility. The treatment uses chemical dosing to kill bacteria, viruses, and spores that may be discharged from the laboratory equipment including sinks, autoclaves, glass washers and showers. Commissioning was achieved using a modified/deactivated strain of anthrax.

Capable of treating up to 28,000 gallons of waste water per day, the system is intended to operate automatically and is a duplex system, utilizing two complete treatment tanks so there is always one tank online to receive waste water. A centralized main control panel provides system control components for both tanks. Operator interaction is limited to daily inspections and maintenance procedures. The system will automatically batch process and discharge biologically inactive waste water. A vacuum collection system will gravity drain the waste water into the system. The chemical kill system enters treatment mode once the batch tank reaches an operator specified level. The waste water is mixed with chemical reagents until the ORP and pH set points are reached. The system then maintains that set point for a specific dwell time before discharging the contents to the sewer. The tank discharge is monitored for flow and residual chlorine concentration. PAI has incorporated its expert knowledge into the system’s computerized control such that numerous parameters are monitored to provide safe operation and predictive maintenance.

PAI has been designing, building, and operating waste water treatment systems since 1994. Our systems are designed and built by operating engineers and technicians who understand that an effective system must ensure performance while remaining economical to operate and maintain.

Press Contact:
Gary Broberg
Practical Applications, Inc.
Boston, MA 617-423-5639
gbroberg@pai-online.com

Download this press release as a PDF

Association of Boards of Certification

admin — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 17:26:35 +0000

Practical Applications is pleased to announce our membership with the Association of Boards of Certification (ABC).

Association of Boards of Certification
Practical Applications is pleased to announce our Associate membership with the Association of Boards of Certification (ABC).

ABC offers a voluntary certification program to water treatment, distribution, collection, wastewater treatment, and industrial waste operators, water and wastewater laboratory analysts, plant maintenance technologists, and biosolids land appliers.

ABC certification is not only a way to protect public health and the environment, but provides numerous career benefits to both employees and employers. In addition, ABC’s Testing Service provides examinations for its Testing Clients. An active technical network of volunteer subject matter experts contribute to ABC’s Testing Service. Each exam discipline has established a Validation & Examination (V&E) committee. Over 70 industry professionals currently serve on ABC’s volunteer committees.

As an Associate member, Practical Applications, Inc. has the opportunity to serve on committees, network with other members and join over 100 certification programs, trainers, educational institutions and professional associations in providing a voice for the environmental certification industry.

Learn more on the ABC website by clicking the link below:

http://www.abccert.org/

MWRA Boil-Water Order

admin — Mon, 03 May 2010 01:51:48 +0000

As you’ve likely heard, a massive water main break has resulted in communities east of Weston having to boil any water that will be ingested. That includes many of our customers in the Boston area. If you need assistance, Practical Applications can help determine if you can use your water, provide you with bacteriological testing as needed, and help with high purity water system flushes and filter changes once the order has been lifted.

Testing inquiries can be directed to compliance@pai-online.com.

O&M requests should be sent to sbertrand@pai-online.com.

FOR UPDATES, PLEASE VISIT THE MWRA SITE HERE: MWRA UPDATES