Lift Station Upgrades For Wastewater Treatment Energy Savings

Lift stations as we all know service the purpose of elevating wastewater for it to get treated before release. But what we do not realize is the amount of energy it consumes, with a very large portion of energy required to operate the whole wastewater treatment plant going towards just operating the lift station, there arises a need for wastewater treatment energy savings. This way, just by making some upgrades you will be saving great amounts spent on keeping the list stations functional, while also increasing the operational efficiency it offers. So now, let us understand how you can upgrade your existing wastewater lift station to make it more energy efficient than ever before, as well as the benefits that come with doing so.

Why Do I Need To Upgrade My Wastewater Lift Station?

Upon getting new wastewater lift station upgrades, not only do you save up on energy, but also the time, resources, and maintenance costs you spend on it in the following ways:

1. Increased Capacity to Hold Wastewater

With the rise in production of wastewater, an old or undersized lift station will definitely take longer, or it could even lead to backups, clogs, overflows, and environmental hazards.

2. Energy and Cost Efficiency

Older lift stations operate using inefficient pumps, motors, and control leading to higher operation costs and energy, which can be replaced with modern pumps and variable frequency drivers that have pumps adjust their speed depending on the flow of water leading to wastewater treatment energy savings.

3. Fewer Breakdowns and Issues

Old and redundant equipment is more likely to cause mechanical failure, leading to costly repairs, which can be easily replaced with automated and newer ones.

4. Improved Safety

Professionals who are assigned to operate and clean these lift stations often work in dangerous setups and conditions, but with wastewater lift station upgrades, you automate most of the processes, reducing the need for manual intervention such as when cleaning clogs and so on.

Specific Upgrades For Wastewater Treatment Energy Savings

If you are looking to unlock unmatched wastewater treatment energy savings, there are certain upgrades you can make to your existing wastewater lift station, including the ones lifted below:

1. Aeration System Upgrades

You can use high-efficiency blowers with fine-bubble diffusers to reduce energy consumption as well as to improve efficiency by reducing the amount of air and power required. Using variable frequency drives (VFDs) to adjust the speed of blowers and pumps as per requirement, with real-time dissolved oxygen (DO) sensors to automate controls responsible for maintaining optimal DO levels.

2. Sludge Management Upgrades

Start by upgrading the anaerobic digesters you use to break down organic matter, then couple it with a combined heat and power system to burn the captured biogas, as doing so will help you power your plant with both heat and electricity. Upgrading your centrifuges and screw presses will also lower the amount of water in your sludge, while thermal hydrolysis will preheat sludge before anaerobic digestion to increase the amount of biogas produced.

3. Process Control and Automation

First off, upgrade to advanced SCADA systems to provide real-time data on the amount of energy consumption and process conditions. Then, by using AI-powered automation and data analytics, you get to simplify aeration and chemical dosing processes for peak efficiency. Combining both smart sensors and electrical load management will monitor oxygen levels, flow rates and more in real time, all while completing the processes that require a lot of energy during the hours that offer lower energy costs.

4. Equipment Upgrades

Using high-efficiency motors and pumps instead of redundant ones will bring even more energy efficiency when paired with VFDs and inflow and infiltration (I&I) reduction, that involves repairing and maintaining sewer lines to prevent groundwater and stormwater from entering the system. You can also use LED lighting fixtures instead of traditional ones to reduce the consumption of energy and electricity even there, using those with motion sensors further support wastewater treatment energy savings.

5. Infrastructure Upgrades

Use of corrosion resistant materials for pipes, tanks, and other equipment will turn out to be more durable than you ever imagined. This means no more frequent breakdowns or repairs, all while ensuring that the wastewater lift station maintains its hydraulic efficiency. Then you can also optimize the design of the plant to place each stage of the process that the water flows with the help of gravity, without needing to use water pumps as much to save considerable amounts of energy and resources.

Saving Energy With Calculated Wastewater Lift Station Upgrades

High energy consumption and burning of fossil fuels is coming out to be one of the greatest concerns of the century, and to battle them, more and more industries are making the switch to greener and more sustainable alternatives. Thus, with just a few calculated and planned upgrades, you will be able to harness a lot of wastewater treatment energy savings that are not only cost-efficient in the long run, but also a step towards a greener and more considerate future.