Jan. 16, 2014 -- As we move forward into a successful new year, we also want to take a look back at the top 10 most-viewed stories in 2013 by you -- the nation’s leading water and wastewater industry professionals. As such, we’ve compiled a helpful list of these trending articles covering everything from centrifugal pump priming to shale gas fracking to solar-powered water desalination. We look forward to seeing what strikes your interest this year…
1. Understanding Check Valves: Sizing for the Application, Not the Line Size
This article explores the basics of check valves, how they work, what types there are, how to select and install them, how to solve their problems, and why they are not always the cause of the problem.
2. Back To Basics: Mechanical Seals for Water and Wastewater Pumps
Because mechanical shaft seal failures are the number-one cause of pump downtime, this story is dedicated to highlighting the basics of these seals.
3. Shale Gas Fracking: Water Lessons from the U.S. to Europe
Water and energy have always had a close relationship, but shale gas and water are particularly intimate. Water is integral to shale gas, and there is a growing market, estimated to be worth up to $100 billion in the United States, for wastewater treatment. This text explores the opportunities in Europe.
4. Why Siemens is Selling Its Water Processing Division
In an announcement just as monumental as the one back in 2004 when Siemens Water Technologies (SWT) entered the water treatment business, it sought a swift exit. Siemens was put up for sale at the beginning of November 2012. Here, the company's transition is examined.
5. Pump Types - End Suction Vs. Double Suction
There are often multiple pump types that can be selected for the same water application, with each pump type having its own strengths and weaknesses. This column aims to help guide the reader in the selection of the best pump type that will yield the greatest reliability and lowest lifecycle cost for a specific application.
6. World Water Day 2013: 10 facts about water pollution
Many people will continue to take clean drinking water for granted, but Greenpeace used World Water Day to highlight how the situation is the opposite for people around the world, especially in China. In this story, the organization focused on 10 devastating facts about water pollution that everyone should know.
7. Addressing the Challenge of Removing Ammonia from Wastewater
The discharge of ammonia from wastewater treatment plants has become a challenging issue throughout the United States. This article covers some of the most common treatment processes that are used for biological nitrification at wastewater treatment plants.
8. Do's and Don'ts of Tracer Wire Systems
Proper care should be taken in selecting wire and connections for use in tracer wire systems. This text highlights proper installation and location to the pipe, termination of the wire and connecting the wire properly when splicing or connecting to a service.
9. Considerations for Centrifugal Pump Priming
This column is intended to discuss the various means available to prevent and/or re-establish the all-critical pump prime in order to insure the required pump flow.
10. Solar Powered Water Desalination Heats Up in Chile
Solar powered water desalination has the potential to dramatically increase access to freshwater in many arid locations. As a solar powered desalination plant opened in Chile, this article investigates what challenges were faced in scaling this technology up to full commercial operation and what potential exists globally for the technology.
###
