Use of Pressure Transducers in Wastewater Treatment Industry

If you are planning to set up a wastewater treatment project, you will need pressure transducers as part of your equipment and technology. Wastewater treatment requires proper flow and pressure measurement and monitoring to ensure efficient operations, identify issues and tend to them before accidents happen and cause harm to people and the environment.

 

What is a pressure transducer?

A pressure transducer is a pressure sensor with the capability to convert pressure measurements to electrical signals. This equipment usually works in tandem with alarms and other controllers to regulate a system without the requirement for manual labor. Naturally, the signal changes as the pressure being measured changes.

 

Pressure transducers employ the piezoresistive effect. If you’ve got out of touch with your basic physics concepts, this simply means the device has a sensing element made of quarts to generate electric charge (voltage) when pressed. The voltage is then amplified and converted to an electrical output.

 

These devices have lots of applications. They are basically useful anywhere pressure measurement is required, especially closed loop control systems such as those used to automatically regulate wastewater treatment operations. Here’s how:

 

 

How pressure transducers are used in wastewater treatment?

Wastewater treatment involves moving water from different sections of a facility. Typically transport systems are designed to leverage gravity and lower costs. But in sections where gravity is not enough, lift stations comprising a submersible pump, a wet well and submersible pressure transducer are used.

 

The pressure transducer sits at the bottom of the wet well monitoring water level and signaling a control system atop the well when the pressure reaches a certain mark. This allows the control system to turn on the pump and empty the tank before wastewater bursts out. It also monitors the well pressure during the emptying and signals when it’s okay to turn the pump off and allow wastewater to accumulate.

 

This eliminates the human element from this part of the operation, reducing operational costs and mishaps that happen due to forgetfulness or general laxity.

 

Submersible pressure transducers are used inside weir boxes, too. This is a section of the treatment plant used to monitor and regulate treated water flow. By measuring the pressure level inside the weir box, operators are able to determine the flow.

 

Pressure transducers are also used to measure the rate of movement of wastewater in pipes to prevent excess spills and other problems within the pipe which would otherwise cause a mess and environmental harm. Additionally, they are used in storage tanks to monitor and control treated water levels.

 

To summarize, pressure transducers have significant use in water treatment facilities. They are used to monitor and control the flow, and operate pumps, leading to efficient performance, early detection of issues and safe operations. MicroSensor will be delighted to help you find the absolute best pressure transducer for use in your water treatment facility. Our engineers are experienced in ODM & OEM standards. We also do custom designs for clients looking for special measurements and control devices.