A SIGNIFICANT ADVANCEMENT IN THE CONTROL OF AERATION SYSTEMS SOLVES STARTUP AND HUNTING ISSUES FOR THE CITY OF TULARE

摘要

Considerable attention has been given in recent years to the different controlrnstrategies and methods for optimization of the aeration process common to manyrnpublicly owned treatment works (POTWs).rnCost savings in the form of reduced power costs can in fact be achieved in thernoptimization of the aeration process. Selection of an aeration basin control strategy,rnhowever, should involve more than maintaining peak aeration efficiency. Minimizingrnthe effort required for system startup, system hunting, and ongoing efforts by PlantrnStaff can greatly enhance the usability of the aeration system. In addition, it isrncommon for complex control systems to be overridden and systems manuallyrncontrolled if they are subject to hunting and are too complex for plant staff to start up,rnmaintain, and adjust. Overriding the automated control system usually results in arnsignificant increase in power consumption for the facility.rnDue to startup problems with the aeration control system at the Tulare Water PollutionrnControl Facility (TWPCF), the most open valve (MOV) control strategy was modified tornaccount for these additional usability issues, while maintaining the efficiency of thernMOV system. This evolution in control strategy is presented in the following casernstudy.