Product category:
Waste-water handling, monitors + treatment
News Release from: Siemens Automation and Drives | Subject: Echomax XPS-30
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 14 September 2005
Giant wet well uses special Echomax
XPS-30 sensor
For a low maintenance solution that they can really rely on, Welsh Water chose a Siemens Echomax XPS-30 level transducer mounted on a stainless steel bracket for their giant 30m wetwell near Newport
Welsh Water supplies water and sewerage services to 1.2 million households in Wales, and parts of England Its customer service and environmental performance are among the best
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 10 Apr 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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OFWAT, the economic regulator for the industry in England and Wales, rated Welsh Water as the best performer in its "Overall Performance Assessment" in both 2002-3 and 2003-4.
Since May 2001, Welsh Water has been owned by Glas Cymru, a not-for-profit company that reinvests surpluses for customer benefit.
The company is investing GBP1.2 billion in its network between 2005 and 2010.
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In addition to several large projects, there are numerous smaller projects to improve performance.
An example is the need to enhance level monitoring and reduce maintenance costs at the Orb Pumping Station near Newport in Gwent County, South Wales.
This site has a giant wet well with a depth of 30m (98 ft).
The well is normally maintained at a very low water level, and is used as a storm tank to prevent overflows and flooding.
Monitoring the level and controlling the pumps in this wet well are critical to that area's water management and flood prevention strategies.
It's a challenging measurement because the well is very deep, with occasional large inflows of water containing dirt and debris.
Previously, the system used hydrostatic sensors for level measurement.
Because these devices are submerged, they get fouled and frequently fail.
Replacing them is expensive and time consuming - up to GBP3000 each time.
Costs include a new hydrostatic sensor and cable, rental of a crane to lift the chamber lid, and hiring a special safety crew required to protect workers in this deep, confined space.
"We went searching for a low maintenance solution that we could rely on," said Jon Lancett, Mechanical Electrical Instrumentation Team Leader with Kelda Water Services, which manages operations and maintenance for wastewater assets in South Wales on behalf of Welsh Water.
In this kind of application, non-contacting ultrasonic level technology is recommended over any contacting approach.
A Siemens technician installed an Echomax XPS-30 transducer mounted on a stainless steel bracket fixed to the side and near the top of the well.
This is a long-range transducer with a robust signal and narrow beam angle, to handle the well depth.
It is built for harsh environments, and the non-contacting design virtually eliminates the nuisance, danger and expense of cleaning and repairing contacting devices.
The transducer continuously monitors water level, and is connected to a Siemens level controller which processes the signals.
The system's advanced software includes patented Sonic Intelligence signal processing technology for superior reliability.
Located in the control room for easy monitoring, the controller turns pumps on and off as required.
The system was relatively quick and easy to install, and requires little or no on-going maintenance.
"The ultrasonic system is performing well," said Lancett.
"It's accurate and reliable and it's cost effective because of the lower maintenance costs.
On this one wet well alone, we will save about GBP6000 every five years just by avoiding the cost of replacing sensors.
It saves us time and enhances safety as well.
We are planning to use this technology at other sites in our system.".
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