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Water is required in many industrial processes, and hence may get polluted or could be released into the environment along with several toxins and chemicals mixed in it. Just as access to clean water is a basic necessity for all humans, so is purifying and recycling wastewater first to make it usable in specific areas. Next, removing and destroying contaminants, chemicals, and other harmful agents that may be toxic to human health and the environment is important. So, wastewater treatment is a separate industrial segment, which has surged the demand for environmental engineering and instrumentation. It's a crucial step in ensuring that industrial effluents are treated before they are released into the environment. However, the treatment process involves a wide range of complex operations that require accurate monitoring and control. This is where instrumentation comes in. Today, different industrial wastewater treatment instruments are used to ensure the process is effective, efficient, and environmentally friendly. Are you intrigued to know what they are? This post highlights essential water quality testing instruments in detail. Whether you’re a wastewater treatment professional or simply interested in learning more about wastewater treatment instruments, this post is for you.

Industrial Water Treatment Equipment Widely Used

Given the concerns regarding environmental pollution due to industries, it is mandatory for businesses to comply with the norms regarding wastewater treatment before it is released into surface level water bodies. Also, by doing so and achieving the highest level of compliance through sustainable solutions, companies can easily increase their credibility. While it may seem like an investment installing a wastewater treatment, it is actually cost effective in the long run. Without this, you end up paying more in terms of safe disposal of waste water, and replenishing the waste water with fresh water, paying the local water treatment service providers, paying for its transportation, and so on. Installing a wastewater treatment system allows in-house recycling of coolant, reduce maintenance, recycle and reuse that water back into the process, and improve productivity as long as they use the right instruments. To select the right instruments, we need to consider four major parameters-  level measurement, flow measurement, pressure measurement, and water quality monitoring. Here are a few pointers regarding the same:

• For level measurement, different instruments such as transmitters, radar sensors, or contact sensors are used to measure the level of water in tanks as well as pipes. While there are instruments for continuous measurement, some applications require point level instruments which only monitor if the level is within its limits. It raises an alert in case the water level exceeds the limit or overflows.
• There are flow meters to measure the rate at which the water flows in the system and out of it. Since, wastewater contains particulate matter, semi-solids, and contaminants, these meters are installed in pipes to check the quantity present inside and the rate of flow. Thermal flow meters and magnetic ones are quite common.
• Pressure instruments such as pressure gauges, transducers, pressure sensors, and so on are installed in the pipes and tanks. Monitoring and controlling fluid and process pressure is essential as it may even crash the system and damage the instruments. For most applications, pressure, flow, and level measurement instruments can be combined into one single instrument which measures all the three parameters.
• Recycled water is transferred back to the manufacturing process unit, or at times it may be released into the environment. However, before doing so, its quality needs to be monitored to ensure it contains no harmful chemicals, germs, toxins, and so on. While all the solid materials, dirt, and so on which can be filtered out are removed, measuring TDS or total dissolved solids in the water is crucial as they cannot be removed. Inline meters and reverse osmosis systems are widely used for this process.
• Ultrafiltration process is performed wherein it reduces the content of oils, emulsifiers, bacteria, metallic compounds, and other suspended solids from water. This system uses a filtering membrane to do the job.
• Removing the fine matter can be a challenging task; however, it is essential to make the water fit for reuse. For this, there are solid bowl centrifuges. These centrifuges have self-cleaning features and separates fine particles of metals and non-metals.

Industrial Wastewater Instrument Selection Guide

The instrument selection procedure for industrial wastewater treatment plants can be a daunting task. The following factors help you make the right decision for your needs.

• The first and foremost important factor is the purpose of the instrument you want to purchase. Choose the right industrial wastewater instrument depending on the application need – whether you need to monitor pH levels, dissolved oxygen, or other parameters.
• Next, the type of wastewater will determine the parameters that need to be monitored and, thus, the type of instrument that will be required.
• How accurate do you need the measurements to be? Different instruments have different levels of accuracy and precision, especially probes to check parameters such as pH, temperature, flow rate, pressure, and so on have a defined range. Some applications require precision and accuracy, while others may accept approximate values. It is important to know the level of accuracy your application requires and choose accordingly.
• Another important factor you must check is whether the wastewater instrument is compatible with existing equipment and software systems? It's important to ensure that your chosen instrument can be integrated with your existing systems to avoid compatibility issues.
• The cost of the instrument is also an important factor to consider. Ensure to balance cost with the functionality and accuracy of the instrument you choose.
• How much maintenance will the instrument require? Some instruments require regular calibration or cleaning, so it's essential to factor in the time and cost of maintenance when choosing an instrument.

Benefits of Using Industrial Wastewater

• Increased Efficiency: This is a great benefit offered by these wastewater instruments. They help identify and address issues in the treatment process quickly. This can improve treatment efficiency and reduce operating costs
• Accurate Monitoring: Many wastewater instruments offer real-time monitoring, enabling tracking of the treatment process and making adjustments as required. Real-time monitoring is important for maintaining optimal treatment conditions and avoiding issues such as system failure or environmental violations.
• Regulatory Compliance: Wastewater treatment is subject to strict compliance and regulations. Failure to comply with these regulations results in fines or other penalties. However, using industrial wastewater instruments to ensure machine health, emissions, and many other parameters, ensure you meet regulatory requirements and avoid potential legal issues.
• Effective Water Purification: There are many widely used instruments or equipment such as RO filtration systems, cartridge filters, and more used at all levels from wastewater applications to domestic water treatment. They are easy to install and effective at removing chemicals, heavy metals, bacteria, and other waste from water. Especially reverse osmosis has been instrumental in this segment.

If you require these or any other instruments for your wastewater applications, ensure you source them from a known supplier. Cannon Water Technology is one of the well-known distributors of various types of instruments and equipment required in industrial water treatments. The company stocks products from reputed brands. You can get in touch with the experts at the company to make the right selection.