Water and wastewater treatment plants have important technology to make sure our water supply is safe for humans and the environment. Without the use of advanced technical solutions, you can run into major issues like water shortages or even dangerous water pollutants affecting the water supply!

In this blog, we will discuss how water and wastewater treatment plants operate, as well as technical systems like pumping stations, control systems, and lift stations. You’ll also discover how these treatment processes play a crucial role in making facilities run in a safe and effective way.

How Does The Water Treatment Process Work?

The Water treatment process is important for everyone’s access to safe and clean drinking water. Not only that, but it removes harmful pollutants from wastewater before being discharged into the environment.
The following are the most common steps in treatment processes:

• Coagulation and Flocculation: Chemicals are added to the water to coagulate small particles, making them easier to remove.
• Sedimentation: The water is left to sit so that suspended solids can settle to the bottom.
• Filtration: The water passes through a series of filters to remove smaller particles and microorganisms. The filtration process can include reverse osmosis and activated carbon filters, which remove a wide range of impurities.
• Disinfection: Chemicals such as chlorine or UV radiation are used to kill any remaining bacteria or viruses in the water. UV disinfection works by exposing water to a high-intensity UV light. UV light damages the DNA of bacteria and viruses, rendering them harmless. Even though these processes seem sound and secure, many things can go wrong in these 4 stages.

Major Problems That Occur In The Water Treatment Process

Contamination: Water treatment processes can be complicated, and if not done correctly, they may lead to the introduction of harmful chemicals, pathogens, or other contaminants in the water.
Inadequate Disinfection: Disinfection is a crucial step in water treatment that ensures the elimination of bacteria, viruses, and other harmful microorganisms. However, if the disinfection process is not adequately monitored, it can lead to outbreaks of waterborne diseases.

Scaling: Scaling is the buildup of mineral deposits that can occur in water treatment equipment, such as pipes, tanks, or filters. Scaling can reduce the efficiency of the equipment, and over time, it may lead to breakdowns and costly repairs.

Corrosion: Corrosion is the process by which metal equipment degrades and loses its structural integrity due to exposure to water and other chemicals. Corrosion can lead to equipment failure and safety hazards.

Fouling: Fouling occurs when suspended solids or microorganisms accumulate on the surface of filters, membranes, or other water treatment equipment. Fouling can reduce the efficiency of the equipment and lead to higher operating costs.

Insufficient Flow Rates: Poor flow rates can occur when the water treatment system is not adequately sized to handle the required flow rates or due to equipment malfunction. Low flow rates can lead to poor water standards and reduce the quality of the equipment.

Inefficient Use of Chemicals: The use of chemicals is often required in water treatment processes to remove contaminants and improve water quality. However, if the chemicals are not used efficiently, it can lead to excessive chemical consumption and increased operating costs.

Energy Consumption: Water treatment processes require energy to operate, and inefficient equipment and buildings can lead to high energy consumption and operating costs.

Improper Monitoring: Proper monitoring and maintenance of water treatment equipment are critical to ensure that the equipment is functioning correctly and producing high-quality water. Improper monitoring can lead to equipment failure and poor water quality.

So how do we address these critical water treatment processing issues?

Advanced Technical Solutions For Water Treatment Processes

Control Systems
Control systems are used in water and wastewater treatment plants to monitor and regulate the treatment process. They help to ensure that the water is treated to the required standards and that the treatment process is efficient. This is especially important when it comes to municipal water treatment plants.

Advanced control systems, such as SCADA systems, can monitor the treatment process in real-time and provide detailed information on water quality, flow rates, and other critical parameters.

Control systems can alert plant operators to issues such as filtration problems, chemical imbalances, and other potential issues, helping to prevent downtime and reduce the risk of system failures. The control system can assist operators in collecting required data and submitting it to regulatory bodies.

Pumping Stations
Pumping stations play an important role in water and wastewater treatment plants by moving water from one location to another. Pumping stations maintain the flow of water through the treatment process and ensure that the water is treated to the required standards.

Advanced pumping stations can be equipped with sensors and control systems that monitor the flow of water, pressure, and other critical parameters.
Pumping stations can be designed to be energy-efficient, reducing energy consumption and lowering operational costs.

Lift Stations
Lift stations are also very important when it comes to wastewater treatment plants, they operate by moving wastewater from lower to higher elevations. Lift stations ensure that the wastewater can be treated effectively and that the treatment process runs smoothly.

Advanced lift stations can be equipped with sensors and control systems that monitor the flow of wastewater and detect potential issues, such as blockages or other obstructions.
Lift stations can be designed to be energy-efficient, reduce energy consumption, and help with lowering operational costs.

How Are Pump Stations And Lift Stations Different?
Both pumping stations and lift stations are used to move wastewater or stormwater from one location to another, but they differ in how they accomplish this task.

A pumping station is typically used to move water from a lower elevation to a higher elevation. In a pumping station, one or more pumps are used to lift the water and move it through pipes to a higher point. Pumping stations are commonly used in water supply systems, where water is pumped from a treatment plant to a water storage tank or a high-pressure distribution system.

On the other hand, a lift station is typically used to move water from a lower point to a higher point when gravity alone cannot do the job. In a lift station, one or more pumps are used to lift the water and move it through pipes to a higher point. Lift stations are commonly used in wastewater collection systems, where sewage must be moved from lower-lying areas to a treatment plant or a higher point in the collection system.

The primary difference between a pumping station and a lift station is their application. A pumping station is used to move water to a higher elevation, while a lift station is used to move water to a higher point when gravity alone cannot do the job.

Advanced Water And Waste Treatment Solutions Part 2

In addition to these technical solutions, here’s a more detailed breakdown of advanced technology that helps water and wastewater treatment plants.

These solutions include:

• Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) are commonly used in water and wastewater treatment facilities. They are used to control various processes, such as pump control, valve control, and chemical dosing.
• Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems are used to monitor and control entire treatment processes. They provide operators with real-time data and can alert operators to any issues or malfunctions in the treatment process.
• Motor Control Center (MCC) controls the operation of motors and pumps in water and wastewater treatment plants. They provide a centralized location for motor control, including starting, stopping, and adjusting the speed of motors or pumps.
• A Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) is an electronic device that controls the speed and torque of an AC motor by altering the frequency and voltage of the power supplied to the motor. VFDs are essential to regulating the speed of pumps and motors in water and wastewater treatment processes, allowing them to operate at enhanced efficiency and reduce energy consumption.

Can You Reduce Wear And Tear On Water Treatment Plant Equipment?

Mechanical stress on water and waste treatment plants is inevitable.
To avoid mechanical issues the use of a soft starter is often required for water treatment plants.

So, what is a “Soft Starter?”

Soft starters are electrical devices that are used in water and wastewater treatment plants to control the starting current and torque of AC motors. They are designed to reduce the stress on the motor during startup and prevent damage to the equipment.

In contrast to traditional motor starters, which can produce a sudden surge of current when a motor is started, a soft starter gradually increases the voltage and current to the motor, limiting the inrush current and reducing the mechanical stress on the motor and the driven equipment. Soft starters are particularly useful for applications where the load is large, the motor is oversized, or the power supply is limited.

Soft starters are commonly used in water and wastewater treatment plants for pumps, blowers, and other equipment. They can help to reduce the wear and tear on the equipment, minimize downtime, and extend the lifespan of the motors and pumps in municipal water treatment plants.

Conclusion

Water and wastewater treatment technology is important for providing safe drinking water and protecting the environment from harmful pollutants.

By understanding the technical aspects of water and wastewater treatment technology, we can improve the performance and reliability of treatment facilities and ensure that they continue to provide essential services to our communities.

Tri-Star Automation is working with businesses across Canada for their municipal water treatment plant solutions. We take care of advanced diagnostics systems, as well as upgrading or implementing the latest in water and waste treatment technology.

For more information on water and waste treatment plant solutions, contact Tri-Star Automation today.

Control panels are a crucial component in various industries and facilities. They serve as the central command center for electrical systems, and it is important that they meet strict standards for safety and reliability. This is where CSA certification comes into play! In this article, we will delve into the significance of CSA certification, what it is, why it’s important in panel manufacturing, and why it is critical for businesses to meet CSA safety standards!

What is CSA Certification?

CSA stands for the Canadian Standards Association and is a leading global provider of standards development, testing, and certification services. The CSA certification is a widely recognized mark of safety and quality, indicating that a product has been tested to meet specific safety and performance standards.

Benefits of CSA Certified Electrical Control Panels

Increased Safety: CSA certified electrical control panels undergo comprehensive testing to guarantee that they adhere to the highest safety standards. This provides peace of mind for industries and facilities, knowing that their electrical systems are secure.

Improved Performance: CSA certified electrical control panels are designed to operate at peak performance, providing reliable and efficient operation.

Enhanced Reliability: With CSA certification, you can trust that your electrical control panels will function as they should, reducing the likelihood of costly breakdowns and disruptions.

Legal Requirements Of CSA Certification

CSA certification is not only important for ensuring the safety and reliability of your electrical control panels, but it's also a legal requirement in many industries and facilities.

The importance of CSA certification when it comes to laws and regulations cannot be overstated. Organizations that use electrical control panels that are not CSA certified risk penalties, fines, and legal action. In the worst case, the use of non-certified panels can lead to safety incidents and harm to individuals. These major safety incidents can lead to lawsuits and reputational damage.

By using CSA certified electrical control panels, organizations can demonstrate their commitment to safety, quality, and compliance with the law.

The Importance of Custom Control Panels

Custom control panels are tailored to meet the specific needs of individual facilities and industries. Custom Control Panels offer several benefits over off-the-shelf control panels, including…

Tailoring Control Panels to Meet Your Specific Needs: Custom control panels are designed to meet the unique requirements of your facility or industry, ensuring optimal functioning of your electrical systems.

Improved Efficiency: Custom control panels streamline operations and improve efficiency, reducing downtime and increasing productivity.

Enhanced Functionality: Custom control panels offer superior functionality, allowing for greater control and automation of your electrical systems.

Choosing the Right Panel Design
The selection of the right panel design is very important when it comes to electrical control panels. It is crucial to work with a panel manufacturer who has expertise in panel design and CSA certification. This will guarantee that you receive a high-quality, safe, and reliable panel that satisfies your specific needs.

The Importance of Working with a CSA Certified Panel Manufacturer

Working with a CSA approved panel manufacturer is vital for ensuring the safety and reliability of your electrical control panels. CSA certification provides assurance that the company adheres to the highest standards for safety and performance. Not only that, CSA certified panel manufacturers have the expertise and experience necessary to design, build, and install custom control panels that meet your specific needs.

Here’s a quick summary:

Adherence to Safety Standards: CSA certified panel manufacturers guarantee that their panels meet the highest safety standards.

Expertise and Experience: CSA certified panel manufacturers have the necessary expertise and experience in panel design and manufacturing to produce high-quality, reliable electrical control panels.

Quality Assurance: CSA certification provides assurance that the panel manufacturer produces panels that meet specific safety and performance standards.

 

In Conclusion

CSA certification provides assurance that the panels you receive are safe, reliable, and compliant with the latest standards. If you're looking for a trusted and experienced panel manufacturer, Tri-Star Automation can help you with any of your needs. Contact us today to learn more about our CSA certified panels and how we can help you with your electrical power distribution needs.

Thousands of companies across the globe are implementing advanced robotics systems to improve their business profit margins and upgrade their businesses efficiency. Every year many companies get left behind or become bankrupt by not staying ahead of their competitors, when they could change their futures by implementing advanced robotic systems into their production line.

In this short blog I’ll be explaining exactly how your business can directly benefit from robotics systems, and I’ll also explain how important it is to implement robotics systems into your production line as soon as possible

How Do Robotics Systems Increase Productivity?

Employees involved in repetitive everyday workplace tasks (especially in production lines) can cause a lot of expensive mistakes! Mistakes happen often, so most businesses expense these errors and expect them to a certain extent. However, most companies are unaware of exactly how much money they are losing. 

Employees often become complacent, tired, or make judgement errors that can cost you a fortune. These errors can happen every week, or every day...sometimes every hour. Usually workplace mistakes are minor expenses, but sometimes they’re massive catastrophic ones that can be a big negative hole in your companies profitability.

Reducing these costly errors is very important for improving your businesses overall bottom line! 

A robotics system can do many things for improving your business and production line including…

• Increasing Precision Accuracy (Less Human Error)
• Reducing Material And Component Waste
• Increasing Overall Production Output (Gets More Done Than Humans)
• Reducing Downtim
• And More!

Robotics systems can completely change a businesses overall revenue and efficiency, so it’s absolutely critical to implement these improvements as soon as possible. 

How Do Robotics Systems Improve Production Lines?

In production/assembly lines, robotics systems can move faster and work with greater accuracy than humans. Accuracy also means less human error which can stall or hold up production lines. Not only are they more accurate, but you’ll produce more units at a reduced cost.

Robotics systems can also be programmed for production line changes, so businesses can quickly adapt to new product lines and various tedious specifications. 

There are more robotics solutions today than we ever thought possible, and the creation of new and innovative robotics systems are being implemented and created as we speak.

So, if you have an idea for a robotics system or you need a solution to your business production problems, then it can be built and completely automated to your exact specifications!

Preventing Health And Safety Hazards With Robotics Systems

Robotics systems keep assembly lines and devices safe and clean! Robotics are often used for medical device assembly and pharmaceuticals. These companies often have heavy requirements for cleanliness, and require working environments safe from contaminants

Robotics systems can also be used to apply adhesives or substances too toxic for people to handle, which greatly reduces the potential health risks for staff and liability for businesses.

Robotics systems are also invaluable when used for inspections. Offshore oil rigs have been known to use robotics technology to inspect the rigs while people remain offshore.

There’s also applications of robotics systems handling dangerous chemicals or waste, while humans stay at a safe distance away from harm.

How Robotics Systems Reduce Workplace Liability

Human error can lead to dangerous workplace injuries and costly lawsuits from potential liabilities. By reducing human error and accidents you can also improve your companies overall safety record and ultimately reduce work injury claims.

Here’s how robotics systems can reduce potential liabilities in the workplace…

• By Lifting Heavy loads With No Injury
• Limiting Hazardous Areas (Low lighting, Chemicals, Heights)
• Limit Or Reduce Handling Of Toxic And Dangerous Chemicals And Adhesives
• Reduce Injury From Dangerous Production Line Items That Can Cut Or Dismember Employees
• Reduce Overall Operating and Equipment Accidents
• And Much More!

Reducing workplace accidents and liability claims not only makes your business safer for employees, but also boosts their moral, as well as saving you thousands in expenses!

Saving You Money Through Workplace Robotics Systems!

The cost to deploy a robotics system can seem like an expensive endeavor, however it’s one of the best business decisions you can make. 

Most businesses see a positive ROI about ten to twelve months after implementing automation and robotics technology, once they do they really start to see their business soar to impressive heights.

In summary, here’s how your business can make money on robotics systems…

• Robotics Systems Saves You Thousands In Employee Hourly Wages And Overtime
• Robotics Systems Saves You In Liability And Legal Costs
• The System Improves Your Overall Business Production Line Product Output 
• Reduces Material Waste With Improved Efficiency
• Get Real-Time Data Feedback For Robotics Systems Optimizations 
• Robotics Systems Improve The Overall Quality Of Goods Produced 

Conclusion

Implementing high-tech robotics systems in your workplace will expand your business to new heights, and give you a BIG advantage against your competitors.

Not only will you improve workplace efficiency and reduce liability, but you’ll also save your business a lot of money!

If you’re looking to implement robotics systems in your workplace contact Tri-Star Automation for all your robotics system needs.

 

Machine Safeguarding installation is often a neglected among workplaces across the globe especially in Canada and the U.S. Not having proper machine safeguarding in your workplace can be a huge mistake which can lead to dangerous and even fatal workplace accidents!

In this short blog, I'll explain how machine safeguarding can not only be a great cost saver for your workplace in the long-term, but also necessary from a legal and safety standpoint.

How Does Machine Safeguarding Prevent Workplace Injuries?

Machine safeguarding is designed to prevent workers from coming into contact with dangerous areas and equipment. Dangers that machine safeguarding can protect against include moving machine parts, robotics, heavy equipment, falling debris, splatter, dangerous areas, and more. 

Putting inplace a machine safeguarding barrier between your workers and these types of dangerous equipment is not only important but extremely necessary. 

 

So, what happens when machine safeguarding isn’t properly deployed?

Not having properly deployed machine safeguarding can lead to certain types of injuries such as…

• Amputations
• Crushed limbs
• Blindness
• Burns
• Cuts
• And Fatalities 

One workplace injury can be a potential nightmare for any business so it’s always important to think ahead and protect your workers!

Types Of Machine Safeguarding

Types of machine safeguarding you may need in your workplace could possibly include…

• Adjustable guards - Can be manually changed to adjust for height or angles. 
• Fixed guards - Remain permanently locked to the machinery. 
• Interlocked guards - Can pause machine operations when moved.
• Self adjusted guards - automatically adjust on machine operated movement. 

Machine safeguarding can be adapted based on your equipment needs to make safety a top priority. 

Legal Requirements Of Machine Safeguarding

Machine safeguarding is a legal requirement in Canada and an OSHA safety requirement in the United States. 

OSHA states that one or more methods of machine safeguarding must be used to protect operators and other employees from hazards, including those created by point of operation, nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks. 

Machine safeguarding is a legal requirement because it reduces the likelihood of accidents occuring as a result of mechanical failure, human error, electrical failure or poor design. 

Reducing Liability Costs With Machine Safeguarding

A worker involved in a serious workplace accident can be a nightmare easily avoided with machine safeguarding.

Direct liability costs can include 

• Workers compensation payments
• Medical expenses
• Legal fees and services
• And More.

Not only can a worker accident be a liability nightmare in terms of costs, but it’s also bad publicity and impacts your worker moral directly. So it’s very important to plan ahead!

Machine Safeguarding Improves Workplace Moral

Workplace safety is very important for worker moral and productivity. 

Workers who feel safe around heavy and potentially dangerous equipment will be more productive and feel more confident in their working environment. 

Not only does machine safeguarding make workers feel safe, but having less workplace accidents and fewer injuries means businesses are more likely to meet revenue goals and important quotas. 

A study by Lockheed Martin found that safe and happy workforce can improve productivity by up to 24%!

 

Conclusion

Machine safeguarding is not only important but a necessary investment for your workplace.

The benefits far outweigh the downsides, and you’ll deal with less injuries, costly liabilities, improved workplace moral, and save money in the long-term. 

Tri-Star Automation has years of experience in machine safeguarding and works with several facilities across the U.S and Canada. Tri-Star Automation helps companies in Steel, aerospace, chemical and fertilizer plants, and government enterprises to name a few.

If you’re looking to deploy machine safeguarding into your workplace contact Tri-Star Automation for more information.

Building automation systems are incorporated in a professional way to run your business hyper efficiently, by not only making you more money, but by making your staff happier!

Now, how do building automation systems work exactly?

(Bas) systems help to regulate and automate many functions inside a building such as…

• Lighting
• Heating
• Ventilation
• Air Conditioning
• Security Systems
• Elevators
• Maintenance
• And More!

Automating these important systems not only keeps costs low, but also improves the safety and climate conditions of your entire building around the clock!

In this short blog, I’ll be going into further detail on how exactly building automation systems (BAS) can save your empire a whole lot of money!

Can a Building Automation System Reduce Energy Management Costs?

The average commercial building uses 35-40% of their energy costs for HVAC use. What if you could cut this cost in half? Most business owners would agree it would be worth the price of installing a building automation system for their business.

With a BAS you can control optimal temperature settings around the clock to keep costs low.

The average energy consumption in a building breaks down like this

HVAC - 35-40%
Lighting - 11%
Major appliances - 18%
Miscellaneous - 31%-36%

Most businesses experience excessive energy waste that can easily be fixed using a building automation system.

Can Building Automation Systems Improve Staff Work Performance?

The optimal work temperature for employees is around 20-26°C or (68-78°F)

By using a building automation system (BAS) you can adjust for the optimal work temperature for humidity and seasonal changes to keep employees happy and more productive.

Temperature is not only important during the working days, but at night too when little to no employees are present. Your BAS system can self adjust to keep energy costs low during the night by turning off or changing high-cost temperature draining systems.

Not only can a building automation system adjust for optimal temperature but it can also help improve indoor air quality aswell.
A BAS system can automate your indoor air quality and even alert for potential dangers like carbon monoxide and air pathogens.

If a potential danger is detected a building automation system can activate your air ventilation system to pump in fresh air.

Reducing Security Threats With Building Automation Systems

During an emergency an integrated building automation system can help you protect your occupants and sensitive valuables and information.

You can directly integrate your BAS to automate threat responses.
BAS can send alerts or trigger in the following ways.

• Activate alarms for intruders
• Trigger Fire responses
• Send data to first responders and police
• Emergency Lighting
• Safety Messages
• And More!

How Building Automation Systems Reduce Operating Costs

Operational Shutdowns and poor maintenance planning can cost businesses a fortune in unplanned expenses.

Your building automation system might be the answer to keep track of performance and maintenance should the need arise.
A BAS can tell you exactly what needs to be repaired an when, reducing overall maintenance costs and headaches.

You can also plan ahead, so you know when maintenance needs to occur. This helps your staff be more strategic and you can place workers more efficienty in your workplace.

Conclusion

Installing a building automation system into your place of work is an important step to not only save money, but improve workers happiness, productivity, and security.

Looking to upgrade your current BAS system or add one to your place of work?

Contact Tristar For All Your Automation Needs