Sewage Treatment Plant’s Design- Workflow- Significance

The pace of industrialization is exponential that the adverse effect caused by it is contributing to the environmental concerns. Though people are aware of the limitations in water resources, water pollution still prevails. Thousands of gallons of sewage water are being released everyday by numerous factories and industries which adds to the pollution of both land and water sources. Sewage treatment plants do the work of removing the contaminants from sewage water before it getting expelled into environment.

Work Flow and Sewage treatment plant Design

Sewage treatment plant design are simple in their built up and working procedures. The various stages in the sewage treatment have the following process involved in it.

Primary Stage/Sedimentation

The primary stage happens in huge tanks which involves sedimentation of heavy solid waste while liquid impurities like grease, oil floats to the surface. The liquid impurities are then separated from the solid waste by clarifiers and the process is known as clarification.

Secondary Stage/Aeration

Aeration is the part of secondary stage of sewage treatment. It involves the process of sludge activation which is done by pumping air into the tank using large sized fans called aerators. The impure organic contamination in the sewage water has a very high demand for biological oxygen and aeration provides oxygen to bacteria for treating the wastewater. The bacteria help in gathering sludge impurities and it is removed. The aeration tank design and the process of aeration have a direct impact in the efficiency of sewage treatment plant.

Tertiary stage/Disinfection

The tertiary stage in the sewage treatment plant is the disinfection process. The treated sewage water from the earlier stages is disinfected either chemically or physically to remove the toxic contents and thus making it fit to discharge into the local water bodies.

Significance of Sewage treatment plants

Sewage treatment plants play significant part in controlling the water pollution. The contaminated water which is drained makes an imbalance in the aquatic ecosystem and when the untreated water is used for irrigational purposes the fertility of the land is completely lost. The major reason behind the life crisis in some of the underdeveloped countries is because of the absence of proper sewage treatment systems making the state of life miserable.

Maintenance of Sewage treatment plants

As sewage treatment plants functions round the calendar the maintenance schedule of the treatment plant should be strict. The energy should be efficiently used and knowledge about the various machines involved in the treatment process is vital. The machineries like clarifiers and aerators are the most integral part in the treatment process and hence there should be regular inspection in their working condition. There should be no compromise in the quality and maintenance procedures of the machinery used in process as it may lead to lack of efficient functioning. The clarifiers should not get clogged with the solid impurities and the filaments in aeration tanks must be cleaned regularly from the biological built up which not only increases its energy consumption but also reduces the efficiency rates. The aerators should be cleaned from biological growth as it may lead to improper sludge deposition.

How Hazardous Waste Management Is Crucial For a Modern Manufacturing Plant

In many countries such as the USA, environmental protection is given high importance. According to various laws in this country, there needs to be a high degree of awareness and compliance when it comes to hazardous waste management. In today’s circumstances, any countries are generators of waste. Therefore, it has become imperative to assist such companies in what is called waste disposal.

Hazardous waste management is dictated in many countries by law enforcement agencies such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This agency provides for in depth definitions as well as descriptions regarding matters concerning waste disposal such as waste types, levels of waste description, disposal of waste, and recycling of waste. Therefore, companies which need to do business in which the environment can be potentially harmed need to go for approvals from the EPA in the United States. In other countries, similar agencies exist which have been mandated to protect the environment through law enforcement.

If your company produces material that creates by products that have the potential to do environmental harm, then you need expert waste handling processes that will not only help you preserve the environment, but also help you improve your bottom line through cost mitigation.

It makes no sense if the waste that is produced in your company or manufacturing premises keeps on languishing. The sooner it is removed, the better it will be for your company financially. It’s better to organize regular pick-ups, which are much cheaper to organize than a one-time clean up job.

Moreover, it does not make any sense to store your waste on your factory floor or on the factory premises. This interrupts the workflow process badly and workers spend undue time going around these sectors. The same applies to the waste that is stored outside the factory building. The space occupied by this waste can be utilized for more constructive purposes.

Many countries impose heavy fines and even lawsuits on companies and individuals who store waste hap hazardously. Since exposure to stored waste can be dangerous to workers, it is in the best interests of all that this offensive waste is removed as fast as possible. Exposing your workers to waste can make your employees sick and create low morale, which can slow down production in your factory.

Many companies offer hazardous waste disposal services. As part of these services, you can expect companies to fully understand all methods of hazardous waste handling. These companies are also expected to draw a comprehensive waste disposal plan that is in line with your company’s objectives. At the same time, you will need to ensure that you are protected against liability.

To conclude, ensure that your company complies with the waste regulations. Ensure that your company does not break any rules regarding waste regulation. Take the help of waste disposal companies that will ensure systematic waste disposal for your company.

How to Avoid Disaster While Preparing a Feasibility Study Report

Introduction

If you are an entrepreneur, then one of your primary goals is to make your new venture succeed. Your new venture can include a product or service; however, you will need to convince other people to finance your project or initiative. However, before you move forward with your idea, you will need to show that your idea is practicable and viable. For this, a feasibility study or analysis is essential.

Feasibility assessment – To determine business practicality
A feasibility assessment includes many aspects that will demonstrate that your business idea is practicable and realistic while there is an established market for your business needs. At the same time, you will need to demonstrate that your business execution plan is workable.

How to avoid disaster

A feasibility study thus provides a significant return on investment if properly executed. However, a poorly conceived study or poorly executed report can prove to be disastrous. Such a report can prevent you from raising money or capital. There are greater and hidden costs of improper studies. This is actually the cost that you will pay from pursuing the wrong opportunity. Hence proper analysis can help you prevent many of the risks that are associated with a new venture. Such studies ensure that you are presented with the best business opportunity.

Mistakes with feasibility studies

Many people make mistakes with their feasibility studies. They may mistake market research data with intelligence or even fail to pay attention to key business issues. They also fail to conduct preliminary studies before they can implement the study report. At the same time, many people to implement the feasibility study without expert assistance.

Reduction of risk

You should always remember that a feasibility report is created so that the risk to the business can be reduced and the viability of the project can be ascertained. Thus, as soon as you realize that a business can be carried out profitably, can the idea be carried forward and established firmly. Thus, a feasibility report is not merely just an investigation, but at the same time, it is a plan or framework about how the business project will be implemented.

Conclusion

Hence, the feasibility study consists of important steps that are a part of business development. It is used to determine the potential of success of a business venture. Hence, the success of a feasibility study is carried out after careful identification of all the possibilities, risks, and important aspects that are required for the success of any business.

Due Diligence – A Crucial Part of Organizational Best Practice

Due diligence is an important concept that comes into play during a deal process, especially when identifying good potential partners and engaging them in preliminary round of discussion. Once the concerned partners move beyond this early round of negotiations or discussions, the process then moves in to the due diligence phase. During this phase, the partners become interested in various legal, technical, scientific, and other strategic resources so that they can delve deeper into the opportunity. At this crucial juncture, the negotiations can make or break the deal. Here, due diligence consulting and due diligence services can be of great help. Hence, some of the key factors for mentioning due diligence is as below:

Communications factors: The due diligence phase involves a clear and open communication factor, during which complicated information is exchanged between both the parties.

Data Rooms: In case the question is about software, a well organized data room can be brought into play, which can help the key players in the deal to access important and sensitive data. A well-organized data room also means that the diligence process is competitive as well as professional. Having a clearly organized data room allows partners to quickly find the answers to key questions while allowing the seller to control access to potentially sensitive data. Beyond logistics, having a well-prepared data room also communicates to potential partners that the process is competitive and professional.

Restricted access: It is also necessary to allow serious partners to access your data, but at the same time, they need to be restricted from accessing more sensitive data. The data room as described above needs to be divided into various areas or tiers so that those partners which have completed initial due diligence are given access to more sensitive tiers.

Non-Binding Term Sheet: In most cases, companies need to submit a non-binding term sheet before getting full-access so that it can be ensured that the opportunity is being taken seriously. You can also involve communication of timelines that will help in avoiding issues such as a protracted diligence process that is not productive.

Conclusion:

Thus, leading the partners through a due diligence process is a thorough indicator of a positive chance of success as this is often a point where negotiations break down. You can follow general best practices and expect clear communication about the expectations from both sides. This will help you successfully progressing through the next phase of the deal. Many companies offer due diligence consulting and due diligence services so that the deal can go through and the expectations on both sides can be honoured.

Reverse Osmosis Plants – a Boon in Today’s Times

Introduction

A reverse osmosis plant is actually a plant that deionises water through the principle of reverse osmosis. Many of you might find the term difficult to understand, but the basics of the process are really simple to comprehend. Reverse osmosis utilizes water pressure and semi-permeable membranes to remove contaminants from drinking water and provide pure and clear water.

The principle of osmosis

However, before full understanding the process of reverse osmosis, it is necessary to understand the process of osmosis. This is a naturally occurring phenomenon, wherein a weaker saline solution tends to migrate to a strong saline solution as is in the case of plant roots which absorb water from the soil and human kidneys which absorb water from blood. This is based on the natural principle that a less concentrated solution has a natural tendency to migrate to a solution that has a higher concentration.

Reverse Osmosis

Reverse osmosis is the process of osmosis that happens in reverse. In this case, energy is applied to the more saline solution to allow water to pass through but not dissolved salts, chemicals, bacteria, and other pryogens. Thus, by pushing the water through the reverse osmosis membrane with the help of pressure higher than the natural osmotic pressure, reverse osmosis is achieved.

Reverse Osmosis Plant

A reverse osmosis plant consists of a high pressure pump to increase the pressure on the salt side of the RO membrane and force water across the RO membrane. This leaves behind around 95% to 99% of salts, organic particles, colloids, etc. in the reject stream. If the salt concentration of the feed water is higher, greater pressure will be required to overcome the osmotic pressure. The desalinated water which is demineralised is called the permeate or the product water, while the water that did not pass through the RO membrane is called the reject or concentrate stream.

A reverse osmosis plant actually consists of several components. These include a pre-filter, a post filter, RO membrane, and a storage tank. The pre-filter accepts piped city water or well water and filters out all the sediment and contaminants that can cause harm. However, the membrane does the actual filtering work. This is a semi-permeable membrane, which means that particles above a certain molecular size cannot pass through it. Thus water molecules can pass through the membrane but larger particles such as contaminants and others cannot pass through it. Once the water is filtered by the membrane, it is conveyed to the storage tank that stores the water. Any particles that remain at this stage are filtered out by the post filter. Thus, routine maintenance of the RO plant is necessary.

Reverse Osmosis Benefits

Today, many water sources have become polluted. This pollution is caused due to pollutants like chemicals, fertilizers, industrial waste, and household contaminants that can seep into rivers and other water sources. Clean water can be obtained through various means which require external intervention. For example, one can add chlorine to water for purification, but it leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. However, reverse osmosis does not require the addition of any chemical and is essentially a superior technology than others.

Turn Waste Into Wonders

Biogas is a gas produced by anaerobic digestion of organic matter. Biogas is produced when waste such as sewage waste, kitchen waste, agricultural waste is treated.

Design of biogas plants

Various designs of biohazard plant are used in different places. Biohazard plant design can be basically divided into categories according to the scale for which it is being built. These can be-

1. Small scale plant design - for domestic and household purposes.

2. Community plant design - village sized or even complexed designs

3. Large scale plant design - for large scale agricultural or commercial use.

The basic purpose of biogas plant is to convert waste into biogas. Biogas plant design must utilize latest technologies and use appropriate tools. Biogas plant design can be customized according to the needs of the user. It must be economically viable. It must comply with various Norms that are provided by regulatory authorities. Designs are mostly based on two concepts -

1- Floating Drum biogas plant

2- Underground Dome plant

In order to design a biogas plant it is needed that those biogas requirements are known. This will make sure that gas is produced continuously without interruption.

Raw material required also is important for customizing biogas plant design.

Digester is designed from masonry in a hole in the ground. A bacterium is used to decompose the waste material to convert it into methane, carbon monoxide, nitrogen and hydrogen. A gas holder holds the gas after it leaves the digester. It is thus influenced by the digester ‘design. In the slurry mixing tank water is mixed with water and fed to the digester. The outlet tank takes the slurry to the field or slurry pit.

Advantages of a biogas

Biogas advantages are many. It is beneficial for the environment since any biodegradable waste can be used. Biogas plants lower the methane emissions as it traps the harmful gases. Then it is used as fuel. Water borne diseases are also reduced. 

Role of biogas in today's time has gained a lot of significance.

- Biogas can help reduce cost of cooking fuel significantly. It helps replace firewood, charcoal and kerosene.

-Cooking using biogas is much easy and fast. It does not take much time to heat up the biogas stove.

-Biogas is easy and clean. It protects from the danger of indoor air pollution.

-Biogas converts household waste or manure into gas for cooking and lighting. Thus it advantages include waste management. This helps in maintaining hygiene.

-Biogas helps to reduce use of firewood thus reduces deforestation and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. This is because biogas is a renewable source of energy. This has positive effect on climate and environment. It is non-polluting.

Other biogas advantages include

- It helps in creating jobs at rural level.

- Use of biogas protects women and children from exposure to smoke in kiiand thus help improve health conditions.

- Use of biogas can even replace chemical fertilizer.

- It can serve as decentralized source of power generation.

- Technology is cheaper and simpler than other bio fuels.

The Importance of a Multi Level Water Recycling System

In addition to the economy, wastewater recycling is of utmost ecological importance.

When we talk about recycling, we soon think of aluminum cans, glass bottles and newspapers and everything else, but water can also be recycled. Water recycling is a reuse of treated wastewater for purposes other than direct consumption, such as agricultural use and landscape irrigation, industrial processes such as washing and cooling machinery, discharging toilets and refilling basins of groundwater, among other applications generally for non-potable use, is very important in several aspects.

Recycling water is an important means of saving both financially and ecologically and can be applied on a large scale, such as in industries or on smaller scales, such as in your own home through water recycling systems such as rainwater harvesting.

Applications of the Result of a Water Recycling System

We can replace drinking water from public water networks using a water recycling system, which we usually use for non-consumer uses, for recycled water, for agriculture, irrigated outdoor & landscaping, or public places such as parks. Other non-durable applications of a water recycling system include cooling water for power plants and oil refineries, industrial process water for installations such as paper mills and carpet paints, flushing cleaning, dust control, construction activities, concrete mixing and artificial lakes.

Water is sometimes recycled and reused in the same place, for example, when an industrial facility recycles the water used for cooling processes or collecting rainwater. A common type of recycled water is water that has been reclaimed from municipal sewage or sewage.

Indirect Reuse in a Water Recycling System

Wastewater treatment can be tailored to meet water quality requirements. Recycled water for landscape irrigation requires less treatment than recycled water for consumption, as it maintains a high concentration of organic matter and mineral salts, using only the removal of pathogenic factors and toxic elements and meeting the needs of plants.

Although most water recycling systems have been developed to meet the demands of non-potable water, several projects use indirectly recycled water for potable purposes. These projects include a recharge of groundwater aquifers and the increase of surface water reservoirs with recycled water. In groundwater recharge projects, recycled water can be disseminated or injected into aquifers of groundwater and groundwater to increase groundwater supply and prevent intrusion of salt water into coastal areas.

Types of recyclable water

Grey water

Gray Water is the generic term given to the water of showers, bathtubs, laundries and bathroom sinks in your home. Properly treated by a water recycling system, this water can now be recycled and reused for irrigation of interiors and landscaping and discharges of toilets.

Black water

Blackwater is the term used for biological wastewater, such as the public sewage collection network. This water can and should be treated before returning to the natural stream, before returning to rivers and aquifers.

This type of wastewater recycling is much more complex, and has large-scale and long-term planning, targeting the entire ecosystem and the path of these waters. Using various chemical and physical processes, the treatment of these waters is essential to avoid the pollution of the environment by biological waste.