A. Yavich, Ph.D., P.E. Optimization Solutions Environmental, LLC Grand Rapids, MI

A. Yavich, Ph.D., P.E. Optimization Solutions Environmental, LLC Grand Rapids, MI

The SMART Approach to Effective Treatment Operation Specific Management And Relationship Tools

The Three Pillars Of Effective Treatment Operation Process Management Operational Relationships Decision Tools

Process Management Process Management Water utilities need to adopt a concept of managing the entire treatment operation, not only the individual processes.

Operational Relationships Operational Relationships Effective process management is only possible if there is a clear understanding of cause-andeffect relationships between unit processes and operations.

Decision Tools Decision Tools Water treatment plants need specific process assessment/decision tools to effectively manage plant operation.

Operational Perspective of the Flint Case Ferric chloride Polymer anionic and Lime cationic Carbon dioxide Chlorine Chlorine Ozonation Coagulation Flocculation Sedimentation Lime Softening Recarbonation Filtration

Corrosion Control Using CaCO 3 Protective Scale Treatment Coagulation Lime-softening Disinfection Effluent Quality ph Alkalinity Ca Corrosion Indices LSI CCPP Formation of CaCO 3 protective scale

Raw Water Quality at Flint Parameter Flint WTP Hardness, mg/l as CaCO3 220-360 Alkalinity, mg/l as CaCO3 170-300 noncarb Hardness, mg/l as CaCO3 30-75 Mg 2+, mg/l 5-20 The Flint River water quality was capable of providing corrosion protection in the plant distribution system without additional corrosion control treatment.

Coagulation at Flint Parameter Flint WTP TRFP* Source water Flint River St. Joseph River Turbidity, NTU 1-45 3-400 Coagulation Ferric Chloride Ferric Sulfate Avg. coagulant dose, mg/l 53 9 Avg. cationic polymer, mg/l 4.5 1 Avg. anionic polymer, mg/l 1.0 - Filter effluent turbidity, NTU 0.05 0.45 0.04-0.09 * Three Rivers Filtration Plant, Fort Wayne, IN With excessive use of ferric chloride and polymers, coagulation at Flint was extremely ineffective.

Effect of Coagulation on Corrosion Control Water Quality Parameters 2FeCl 3 + 3Ca(HCO 3 ) 2 2Fe(OH) 3 + 3CaCl 2 + 6CO 2 alkalinity Alkalinity Lime usage Carbonate Ca Excessive use of ferric chloride had dramatic negative effect on corrosion control conditions in the Flint distribution system.

Other Corrosion Control Underlying Problems at Flint Lime-softening process x Split treatment w/excess lime not warranted DBP control/disinfection x x x Increased ferric chloride doses not warranted Activated carbon filters used incorrectly Ozonation used incorrectly

Corrosion Protection at Flint Parameter Finished Water Average LSI -0.2 Average CCPP, mg/l -1.5 Ineffective treatment operation at Flint rendered the water to dissolve rather than to form protective calcium carbonate scale in the distribution system.

Why Flint Operation Was Ineffective? Process x Management Operations were managed without consideration of how a change in one part of the operational process affected other parts of the process.

Why Flint Operation Was Ineffective? Operational x Relationships Lack of understanding of sitespecific relationships between unit processes and operations.

Why Flint Operation Was Ineffective? Decision x Tools The plant did not have necessary operational tools to effectively address various operational challenges.

Three Rivers Filtration Plant (TRFP) Fort Wayne, IN Plant capacity: 72 MGD Source water: St. Joseph River

Raw Turbidity at TRFP

Raw Hardness at TRFP

Raw UV 254 at TRFP

Process Optimization at TRFP TRFP was one of the first U.S. water treatment plants to employ computer models for management and optimization of its treatment processes.

Filter Effluent Turbidity

Corrosion Control Challenge In 2010, extremely challenging raw water conditions developed: o low alkalinity o high noncarbonate hardness o high magnesium concentrations In the summer/fall of 2010, the plant exceeded action level for lead.

Operational Actions Considered x Orthophosphate Chemical feed adjustments

Operational Measures Implemented Operational guideline for chemical feed adjustments Corrosion control model Cationic polymer

Lead Concentration in Customers Tap

Chemical Costs Over the course of the project, TRFP realized a chemical cost saving of nearly $3.5M.

Computer Models at TRFP Chemical feed control Process analysis and optimization Operational Guidelines

Operational Guideline at TRFP Cause-and-Effect Diagrams Decision-Making Diagrams

Cause-and-Effect Diagrams Coagulation

Decision-Making Diagrams Filter Effluent Turbidity

What is Behind Effective Operation at TRFP? Process Management Any operational change is analyzed for its impact on the entire treatment process. The plant performance is routinely analyzed for potential challenges.

What is Behind Effective Operation at TRFP? Operational Relationships Clear understanding of cause-andeffect relationships between unit processes and operations.

What is Behind Effective Operation at TRFP? Decision Tools TRFP employs a range of operational tools to effectively manage plant operation and address various operational issues.

Summary

When facing water quality challenges, WTPs often focus on symptomatic treatment.

WTPs often try to mitigate problems without consideration of how a change in one part of the operational process would affect other parts of the process.

Effective operation requires identifying and resolving the problems root causes, and not merely mitigating the effects of these problems after they arise.

Effective operation also requires understanding of site-specific relationships between unit processes and operations.

The SMART approach provides operational tools that enable WTPs to improve the quality of finished water, reduce costs, and successfully resolve operational challenges.

Alex Yavich Optimization Solutions Environmental, LLC E-mail: yavichal@osenv.com