United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Water Engineering Research
Laboratory
Cincinnati OH 45268
Research and Development
EPA/600/S8-85/026 Nov. 1985
Project Summary
Wastewater Treatment Plant
Instrumentation Handbook
Robert C. Manross
A handbook was developed as a guide
for selecting, applying, and maintaining
instruments and final control elements
in wastewater treatment plants. The
handbook does not include all instru-
ments used in such plants, but priority is
given to basic, proven instruments that
meet specific needs and provide tangi-
ble benefits.
Basic applications covered include
analytical measurement, flow measure-
ment (liquid and gas), level measure-
ment, pressure measurement, pump
control, and control valves. Topics
addressed are the theory of operation,
application guidelines, installation re-
quirements, maintenance and calibra-
tion requirements, and selection and
sizing specifications.
The handbook is intended to be used
by individuals with no previous back-
ground or specialized knowledge of
instrumentation and control equipment.
A designer's checklist is provided for
each of the instruments described in the
handbook.
This Project Summary was developed
by EPA's Water Engineering Research
Laboratory, Cincinnati, OH, to announce
key findings of the research project that
is fully documented in a separate report
of the same title (see Project Report
ordering information at back).
Introduction
Instruments are required for the proper
operation of wastewater treatment plants.
To be useful, the instruments must be
operable and maintainable. Thus care
must betaken in selecting, applying, and
installing instruments and control equip-
ment. This handbook tells users how to
design and apply instruments and con-
trols for waste treatment operations.
Special emphasis is placed on problems,
causes, and solutions.
Background
Instrumentation for wastewater treat-
ment was observed in various states of
working order during visits to wastewater
treatment plants over several years.
Personnel at these sites often criticized
the instruments for their failure to meet
expectations of reliability and usefulness.
However, the same instruments per-
formed satisfactorily in other locations.
We therefore concluded that the need
was great to educate the engineering,
user, and regulatory communities about
the prerequisites for success with instru-
mentation.
The initial response was to hold a 4-day
seminar in November 1983 in Chicago to
teach engineers and operators how to
make wastewater treatment instruments
operable and maintainable. The program
presented examples of real-life problems
and how they could be prevented. The
problems were attributed to misapplica-
tion, incorrect installation, or improper
maintenance. This handbook grew out of
the preparation for the seminar, which
required documenting the basis for the
information that was presented.
Contents of the Handbook
The handbook addresses more instru-
ments than the seminar could deal with,
but it does not cover all items used in
wastewater treatment plants. Priority has
been given to basic, proven equipment
that meets specific needs and provides
tangible benefits. The handbook includes
instruments, valves, and pumps com-
monly used in wastewater treatment
plants. Applications covered are analytical
measurement, flow measurement (liquid
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and gas), level measurement, pressure
measurement, pump control, and control
valves. Topics addressed are the basic
theory of operation, applications, instal-
lation requirements, maintenance and
calibration requirements, and selection
and sizing specifications.
The handbook is intended for use by
individuals with no previous background
or specialized knowledge of instrumenta-
tion or control equipment. Users respon-
sible for reviewing the work done by
others may find a helpful reference in the
designer's checklist in each section. If
more technical information is required, a
reference list is included at the end of
each section.
Conclusions
The information contained in the hand-
book should not be considered all-inclu-
sive; rather, it is a much-needed, begin-
ning documentation of what really works
in the field. Making an instrument reliable
and maintainable may depend on infor-
mation not included in the manufacturer's
manual. The solutions may involve re-
vised procedures, test methods, or physi-
cal modifications. Too often this knowl-
edge is not shared outside the treatment
plant because the persons responsible do
not consider their solutions unique or
important.
The full report was submitted in fulfill-
ment of Contract No. 68-03-3130 by
Dynamac, Inc., Rockville, MD, under the
sponsorship of the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency.
Robert C. Manross is with EM A. Inc., St. Paul, MN 55101.
Walter W. Schuk is the EPA Project Officer (see below).
The complete report, entitled "Wastewater Treatment Plant Instrumentation
Handbook,"{Order No. PB 86-108 636/AS; Cost: $28.95, subject to change)
will be available only from:
National Technical Information Service
5285 Port Royal Road
Springfield, VA 22161
Telephone: 703-487-4650
The EPA Project Officer can be contacted at:
Water Engineering Research Laboratory
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Cincinnati, OH 45268
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Center for Environmental Research
Information
Cincinnati OH 45268
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