In a statement, the Institute of Systems and Computers Engineering, Technology and Science (INESC TEC) ,explains that the ‘ePredator’ system aims, through the implementation of artificial intelligence techniques, to “maximize energy sustainability in the water sector”.
The use of this system, developed in collaboration with Águas do Tejo Atlântico, which is part of the Águas de Portugal group, will make it possible to reduce the consumption of electricity in wastewater treatment plants “between 15 to 20 percent”.
“In the Águas de Portugal Group, electricity consumption represents around 1.4 percent of total electricity consumption in Portugal”, says the Porto Institute, adding that, in this sector, energy consumption has a “high weight in the total operating costs of companies”.
“Wastewater elevation systems represent a large part of these expenses, making it necessary to better manage their operation and minimize the energy consumed”, explains INESC TEC.
Cited in the statement, Ricardo Bessa, researcher and assistant coordinator of the Energy Systems Centre at INESC TEC, said that the system, in addition to reducing energy consumption, could, among other issues, “control the time of the pump operation, anticipate periods of high inflow of wastewater and include different levels of pump wear”.
"It is still easy to implement and scalable to other systems", adds the researcher.
By "automatically" controlling the pumping systems, the artificial intelligence software will also allow to improve the operational safety of the plants, "with a reduction of the overflow signals up to 90 percent and by the new ability to avoid scenarios that lead to a high energy consumption”, explains INESC TEC.
Also in the statement, Rita Alves, responsible for research, development and innovation at Águas do Tejo Atlântico, says that “most wastewater pumping stations are operated through fixed levels, to regulate the water level in the pumping wells” and that this approach is “more economically expensive”.
According to the Porto institute, the ‘ePredator’, developed under the European InteGrid project, has already been tested in a real environment at the Alcântara water plant, and researchers have already submitted a European patent application for this system.
Hi bubble aeration is the most efficient way of treating sewerage if it is linked to variable speed drives that run the vein compressors at the required speed via PLC linked to probes in the waste water that measure dissolved oxygen and nitrates the bacteria digest the solids,with the use of filtration and u.v. disinfection the run off is fit for human consumption and by adding reverse osmosis it can be used intravenously. The sludge can be put thru a digesting system and the resultant methane captured for energy use and not dumped into the environment as it is much worse than co2 the resulting sludge ditch in nitrates can by going thru a minor process be safe and odorless to be used in agriculture as fertilizer and cut out the synthetic manufacturing. This system is at least 60 % self sufficient paying for most of its costs by the resale of water, gas energy and fertilizer what could be more efficient? Problem with implementation is that u cut out the fat cats that don't care about the enviroment and the lose of income . There are solutions as long as there is a will and less greed.
By Joao Carlos Bastos from Other on 07 Jun 2020, 09:31