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Design Constraints

The document discusses external constraints and design options for a water treatment plant. Some key external constraints include influent flow rates and pressures from the water source, as well as environmental regulations governing effluent water quality. The design has some flexibility in terms of process configuration, equipment selection, and process conditions. Specifically, it can choose between different ion exchange column arrangements like standby, merry-go-round, or carousel systems to control the regeneration process. The goal is to select an approach that maintains continuous treatment while columns are cycled for regeneration.

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Adelaida Cruz
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
49 views

Design Constraints

The document discusses external constraints and design options for a water treatment plant. Some key external constraints include influent flow rates and pressures from the water source, as well as environmental regulations governing effluent water quality. The design has some flexibility in terms of process configuration, equipment selection, and process conditions. Specifically, it can choose between different ion exchange column arrangements like standby, merry-go-round, or carousel systems to control the regeneration process. The goal is to select an approach that maintains continuous treatment while columns are cycled for regeneration.

Uploaded by

Adelaida Cruz
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Group#3

WATER TREATMENT PLANT

- External constraints, being factors out of authority and jurisdiction or independent of the process

operation.

a. What external constraints do you think will govern your design?

1. Pressure of Influent

In Ion exchange resins, influent flow rates and velocities vary through season and wastewater effluents

production from homes and industries. So, a carefully controlled flow is vital for the longevity life span of

each beads in ion exchange columns. Excessive pressure drops through the bed have the potential of causing

physical damage to the resin beads. High pressure drops through the bed have the potential to cause resin

bead compression. This, in turn can cause inadequate liquid distribution & reduced flow. The hydraulic

requirements of the resins rather than the kinetics for ion exchange govern the selection of the resin particle

size.

In high pressure drops and high flow rates, resin beads are pushed closer. Consequently, the

compaction results in a reduced flow, and non-uniform flow leaking some of the influents unexchanged. BUt

the real problem is the beads when compacted decreases their individual beads interparticle gaps and

interparticle fluid flowing causing abrasion between the beads. The end result is costlier, the column tank

must be replaced.
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The flow rate from

canal- pipe system can

be adjusted by placing

stoppers, constricting

the diameter of the

pipes etc. In addition,

choosing the right

diameter of the resin

columns is also equally

important.

2. Republic Act 9275 or The Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 aims to protect the country’s water bodies

form pollution from land-based sources whether industrial and commercial establishments, agriculture

and community/household activities). Moreover, it is worth mentioning that the Environmental

Protection Agency (EPA) requires that the treated water turbidity level be 0.3 NTU with no sample to

exceed 1 NTU. As such effluent control within EPA standards must be met

b. What options do you have control over in terms of process, process conditions, equipment, raw material,

etc?

1. Design arrangement of columns, still in Ion Exchange resins. There are three (3) possible options
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 Standby system – Using a minimum of two columns: one is in service while the other is being

regenerated & placed in standby. Once, the column in current use reaches saturation, it is set aside

for regeneration while the regenerated column in the other hand is engaged. The return to service

time of a column must be faster than their service time.

 Merry Go round system – the first column serves as a roughing column while the second as a

polishing step

 Carousel system – three columns are in various stages of exhaustion: up to and including

breakthrough; less than breakthrough; substantially less than breakthrough

Merry Go round system offers a polishing step following the first ion exchange while carousel system offers a

time for regeneration while other columns are in use. Treatment plants tasked in waters for domestic uses

follows an effluent range of 50-80mg/L as CaCO 3. The range well in fact becomes narrower within sterile

industrial uses such as foods, pharmaceuticals, pilot plants and research.


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