SOLIDS & SLURRIES

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SBR development assistedby variable speed actuatorsDuring the late 1950s through to the early 1960s, Sequencing Batch Reactors (SBRs) becameestablished as an effective option to conventional activated sludge systems at wastewatertreatment works. Today, the SBRs' fill-and-draw' process of treating and discharging undesirablecomponents from wastewater has been widely adopted by utility sector organisations. In this articlefor Valve World, the Intermittent Cyclic Extended Aeration System (ICEAS) approach to SBRtechnology developed by ITT Sanitaire is reviewed. The contribution of variable speed actuationtechnology from SIPOS Aktorik is also outlined.

Sanitaire, which operates under theFluid Technology division of the ITT

Corporation, has spearheaded the ICEASSBR solution.The company, whichspecialises in a range of products andtechnologies for wastewater treatmentand control applications, forms part ofthe global ITT engineering andmanufacturing organisation. DedicatedR&D expertise at ITT Sanitaire has beenapplied to continuing advancements in

the field of ICEAS SBR technology andthis has led to an initiative incorporatingSIPOS Aktorik actuation technology.TheABJ SBR decanter development meetsthe variable speed requirements of SBRdecant operations at wastewatertreatment plants.Before expanding on Sanitaire's variablespeed SBR enhancement it is useful toprovide some background on theSequencing Batch Reactor and the ICEAS

variant version of the SBR.In the SBR process, wastewater is addedto a single batch reactor; fluid is treatedto remove undesirable components anddischarged. A single batch reactor willequalise, aerate and clarify wastewater: aseries of reactors are used in a sequenceto optimise performance. SBRs areestablished as a successful method ofprocessing wastewater in a range ofapplications as they are ideal for

ITT Sanitaire's ICEAS SBR incorporates SIPOS actuation technology to provide a fullyautomatic system that responds to load and flow variations.

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SOLIDS & SLURRIES

www.valve-world.net SEPTEMBER 2007 Valve��World 79

intermittent or low flow conditions.As long as the necessary controls areplaced on the influent wastewater that isintroduced into the aeration, SBRsproduce sludges with excellent settlingproperties. A modified version of theSBR is the Intermittent Cyclic ExtendedAeration System where influentwastewater flows continually into thereactor.Sanitaire's ICEAS SBRs work on a timeprinciple to treat the effluent. During theaeration phase air is introduced via finebubble diffusers at the base of the tank toactivate the sludge.The SBR then 'rests'to allow the biologically treated particlesor flocs to settle to the bottom beforethe clean, treated liquid is decanted fromthe top of the SBR.The ICEAS process is

a variant of an SBR that enables theprocedure to take place in a single basin,even during the settling and decantphases of the operating cycle.Thesolution is a fully automatic system thatresponds to flow and load variations, iseasily expanded and produces a highquality effluent.An ITT Sanitaire enhancement to itsICEAS process takes the form of an SBRdecanter upgrade which moves awayfrom external componentry with theincorporation of SIPOS’ '5 Flash' solutionthat integrates intelligent functionswithin the actuator.Technological benefits afforded by thevariable speed actuation solution includeadvanced data feedback and increaseddetail of decanter functionality.Additionally, with intelligence integrallyand securely housed, it is a compactsystem that offers advantages of safetyand reliability.Variable decantermovement is also provided which givessuperior flow control for the SBRs fill-and-draw wastewater treatment activatedsludge system.Prior to incorporating '5 Flash'technology, a metric screw jackmechanism driven by a separate variablespeed drive actuator situated in themotor control centre was used for ITTSanitaire's SBR.With the introduction ofan integral actuator inverter which

replaces Variable Frequency Drivestarters, the benefits of compactaesthetics and a reduction in cabling costsare afforded to the user.SIPOS actuation technology, which offersa variable speed, multi-turn solution wasalso selected by ITT Sanitaire as itaddressed the challenges of decant armoperation which is required to operatecontinually through a 24 hour period.Unlike valves, the decant arm is driveninto the water over a period of one hour,at a constant vertical rate, into the settledand clarified water in order to decant it.Having reached its preset lowerdecanting point, it then returns to thepreset parked position above the topwater level until the next decant cycle.SIPOS's actuation solution met the needsof the required fixed speed constraintsas, unlike a standard actuator, thetechnology operates via an internalfrequency converter which provides totaland continuation variation in speed.Theactuation technology also provides selfmonitoring functionality andtorque/position sensing to provideaccurate feedback on the position of thedecant arm at any point in time.Additionally, motor temperature ismonitored throughout the decant armtravel and the control system receivesinstruction if the temperature becomesexcessive.ITT Sanitaire report that the benefits ofthe ICEAS SBR initiative have beenrecognised on the global wastewatertreatment market and that thetechnology has been adopted inapplications across Europe, the MiddleEast and Asia.

Advanced data feedback and increased detail of decanter functionality are two of the benefitsafforded to ITT Sanitaire's ICEAS SBR technology by SIPOS' actuation solution.

ITT Sanitaire's SBR decanter upgradeincorporates the SIPOS '5 Flash' actuator withintegrated intelligent functions.

With SIPOS technology enabling the integraland secure housing of intelligence, the ICEASSBR from ITT Sanitaire is a compact system.

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