Drop-in valve island solves process control challenge for membrane pilot plants

16 May, 2023

Pneumatic advantages

Pneumatically controlled valves, as opposed to electromotive designs were selected primarily because the ceramic membranes need to be periodically backwashed and within the pilot plants is an option for an air flush of the membrane feed channels, using compressed air. This pre-existing resource makes the pneumatic control infrastructure more cost-effective than an electromechanical solution.

In addition, the speed of control is also important and pneumatic valves are usually much more reactive than their electromotive counterparts. It was crucial that specific valves within the pilot plants opened and closed within two seconds, any slower and it would cause issues with specific processes.

As soon as each pilot plant was delivered, technicians from RSE completed the installation and commissioning processes, which were simplified by the replacement valve island. Greg Wainhouse, UK Industry Account Manager for Water, explains: “When it came to commissioning, the digital display on the Bürkert valve island made the whole process much easier. The information available on the LCD display means that the technicians do not have to be watching the HMI or the PLC display when the valve settings are being configured. This can save a lot of time when a project is approaching the handover.”

Key communications

To integrate these pilot plants with the wider treatment plant, communication is key. The 8653 used in these pilot plants are IO-Link enabled and do not require Communicator to transfer settings. From the outset, RSE had included components that used IO-Link so the Bürkert valve island was able to fit straight in. Once the first plant was configured, the settings could be transferred to the second plant using the IO Master, making set up and commissioning much easier and quicker.

Greg concludes: “Bürkert offers a variety of communication protocols on its equipment to cater for the diverse industries we supply. In the case of the municipal water sector, IO-Link is becoming increasingly popular, but it is important to be able to deliver effective communications whatever the preferred protocol is.”

Three of the four pilot plants have been delivered and installed.

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