Large tanks and sequence batch reactors are chosen to handle wastewater whether or not a class is in session in Ohio.  The problem was that the two schools and package plants did not have the correct systems for wastewater management.  They contacted engineering firms including PMC Engineering to help look at the options, find a solution and implement.

Wastewater Specifics

Wastewater is used water from any combination of domestic, industrial, commercial or agricultural activities, surface runoff or stormwater, and any sewer inflow or sewer infiltration.  The characteristics of wastewater vary depending on the source.  Types of wastewater include domestic from households, municipal from communities (sewage) and industrial wastewater.  It can contain physical, chemical, and biological pollutants.

Why Was This Situation a Problem?

In a traditional system, which is what the schools had, it uses sand filters.  In many cases, they are one of the best options, however, with the up-and-down flows.  When school is not in session, there is very little wastewater in the system.  Which is why a sequencing batch reactor was the solution.  They chose a sequencing batch reactor because of the highly variable flows.

What is a Sequencing Batch Reactor?

Sequencing batch reactors are a type of activated sludge process for the treatment of wastewater.  SBR reactors treat wastewater such as sewage or output from anaerobic digesters or mechanical biological treatment facilities.  It bubbles oxygen through the mixture and activates sludge to reduce organic matters.

The Basic Working of a Sequencing Batch Reactor

The installation consists of one or more tanks that can operate as a plug flow or completely mixed reactors.  The tanks have a flow-through system with wastewater coming in and treated water flowing out.  In multiple tank situations one tank is in decant mode, the other is aerating and filling.  Within a treatment there are specifically five stages, fill, react, settle, decant, and idle.

An SBR can adjust and the design for the schools was that half can be shut down when it needs to be.

The Collections System

While the sequencing batch reactor is the solution, it is part of a bigger system that has many compartments, tanks, chambers, pumps, and more.  With all the different moving parts, they expressly brought in a team from a variety of industry experts.

Why PMC Engineering?

They called PMC Engineering in as they are a company that is solution-oriented and a leader in technology solutions.  The engineering and application specialists have been developing level measurement for groundwater, surface water, sewage, remediation, and oceanography for over 3 decades.  They can also make items to order, such as range and cable length, and other options based on the needs of a client.

For local questions or inquiries, please specifically contact SRP control systems ltd, the exclusive Canadian representative for PMC Engineering.