James Laughlin
Editor
I recently had the pleasure of attending the American Water Works Association Annual Conference and Exhibition, where I saw some of the latest in technologies and techniques for treating drinking water. One nice thing about being a magazine editor at an exhibition is that companies line up to show off their new products. They also hand out some pretty nice goodies along the way!
Membrane treatment systems seemed to be hot this year. Both USFilter and Pall Corp. invited me to stop by to learn about their new membrane systems. Interestingly, they were on opposite ends of the spectrum, with USFilter showcasing its Memcor CMF-S submerged microfiltration system for very large drinking water applications, while Pall was showcasing its Aria system for small communities.
Both systems were particularly suited for retrofit applications. The Memcor system is designed to be submerged into new or existing steel or concrete tanks. It takes up to 30 percent less space than other membrane systems and provides 6-log removal of cryptosporidium and giardia. The Pall system was designed for systems serving fewer than 10,000 people. It provides microfiltration down to 0.1 micron and is being field tested for use in arsenic removal. The Pall folks seemed to feel the system would provide an inexpensive means of arsenic removal, while providing filtration at the same time.
I also got the chance to discuss USFilter's innovative new DepoloxRegistered 3 Analyzer for measuring total chlorine residuals without the need for reagents. The analyzer has an internally buffered sensor that eliminates the need to use reagents in samples with varying pH. The analyzer also may be used to measure free chlorine residuals, fluoride residuals or pH.
The company's Johnson Screens division was showing off an interesting new screen that protects intake structures on lakes and rivers from zebra mussels. Johnson's Z-Alloy screen material repels zebra mussels without chemicals. In comparison tests, typical screens were nearly blocked by mussels while the Z-alloy screen remained completely clean. I asked how it worked and they said it was a "proprietary formulation."
Accusonic Technologies was displaying new transducers for ultrasonic flow measurement that could be hot tapped into pressurized steel or ductile iron pipes with walls ranging from 3/8 inch to 1 inch thick. The transducers work with the company's Model 7510 flowmeter and can be removed and replaced under pressurized conditions. The feedthroughs incorporate an integral valve for pressure sealing while the transducer is removed.
In the booth next to ours at the AWWA Show, Belzona was displaying its line of polymer-based coating products. Along with the typical corrosion control applications, the company's coatings can be used to improve the performance and extend the life of pumping systems. The company's "Polymers in Pumps" (PIP) program allows engineers to repair their pumps while also increasing output and reducing power consumption. Their rep said the polymer coating can even provide significant performance improvements to new pumps right off the shelf.
I have to admit I am fascinated by talking with involved and motivated people with an interesting new product. The only problem was the miles of show floor at the Denver convention center. Too much walking can take the bloom off of any rose. When I had enough of smiling and nodding, I would retreat to the cool darkness of a conference session.
After several hours of walking and standing, listening to someone discuss the energy requirements of cryptosporidium inactivation systems was a refreshing change.
