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[email protected]Define Water and Waste Water Treatment related Process based on critical criteria:
Type of Waste Water (COD, BOD, pH, Oil, TDS, TSS)
Defined local discharge Standard and regulatory Requirement
Retrofit with client existing system and budget
Operational friendly, hence low operating cost.
Select and size equipment like filters, pumps, membranes, aerators, and digesters.
Develop process flow diagrams (PFDs) and piping & instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs).
Optimize treatment efficiency, energy use, and chemical dosing.
Ensure regulatory compliance (e.g., effluent limits, drinking water standards).
Use modelling tools (e.g., BioWin, GPS-X, MATLAB) to simulate and optimize treatment steps.
The Process engineering for water treatment involves applying scientific principles to convert raw or wastewater into usable forms, like clean water or energy. This field encompasses the design, operation, control, modelling, optimization, and intensification of processes used in water and wastewater treatment. These processes can be implemented at various scales, from laboratories to large-scale industrial facilities.
Key Aspects of Water Treatment Process Engineering:
· Chemical Processes:
Chemicals are often added to the water to aid in removing impurities. For example, coagulants are used to clump together small particles for easier removal during sedimentation.
· Physical Processes:
Physical methods like membrane filtration and adsorption are used to separate contaminants from the water.
· Biological Processes:
Biological processes, like activated sludge, are employed to treat wastewater by utilizing microorganisms to break down organic matter.
· Treatment Steps:
A typical wastewater treatment process might involve screening, grit removal, primary settling, aeration/activated sludge, secondary settling, filtration, and disinfection.
· Process Optimization:
Process engineers focus on optimizing treatment processes to achieve the desired water quality while minimizing energy consumption and costs.
· Modelling and Simulation:
Mathematical models and simulations are used to predict and improve the performance of treatment processes.
· Unit Operations:
Water treatment relies on a series of unit operations, including screening, coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection.
· Industrial Applications:
Process engineering principles are applied to treat industrial wastewater, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and enabling water reuse.
· Continuous Disinfection:
In some applications, like swimming pools, continuous disinfection using methods like chlorine dioxide or salt can be implemented.
1. General Process Design & Piping
Code / Standard |
Description |
ASME B31.1 |
Power Piping – often used in utility piping in industrial plants |
ASME B31.3 |
Process Piping – the most common for chemical and wastewater treatment |
ASME Section VIII |
Pressure Vessel Design (for digesters, filters, tanks) |
API 650 / API 620 |
Design of storage tanks (low pressure, atmospheric) |
NFPA 30 |
Flammable and combustible liquids (important in dosing/storage) |
2. Water & Wastewater Treatment-Specific Standards
Standard |
Description |
ISO 14001 |
Environmental management systems – guides sustainable design |
ISO 10628 |
Diagrams for chemical and process engineering – PFDs, P&IDs |
AWWA Standards (American Water Works Association) |
Extensive design and construction standards for water systems (e.g., AWWA C200 for steel pipes, AWWA D100 for tanks) |
EPA Standards (US) |
Covers permissible contaminant levels, effluent limits, discharge requirements |
CPHEEO Manual (India) |
Central Public Health & Environmental Engineering Organisation manual for water and sewage system design (used in Indian municipal projects) |
3. Safety & Instrumentation Codes
Standard |
Description |
IEC 61511 / ISA S84 |
Functional safety of instrumentation in process industries |
NFPA 70 (NEC) |
Electrical code for hazardous areas (important for dosing stations, pump rooms) |
ATEX / IECEx |
Equipment standards for explosive atmospheres |
OSHA 29 CFR 1910 |
Process safety management (particularly in industrial settings) |
4. Drawing and Documentation Standards
Standard |
Description |
P&ID Standards (ISA 5.1) |
Instrumentation symbols and identification |
ISO 14617 |
Graphical symbols for diagrams |
ANSI Y14.5 |
Geometric dimensioning and tolerating for mechanical design |