The show started off in its usual fashion – introductions, leads, demos and apparently for New Orleans little sleep and a lot of people talking about the fun they had the night before.  This year’s WEFTEC was easily surpassed previous years, with over 17,500 people attending and 984 exhibitors.  The exhibit hall itself was nearly a mile long end to end.

There was a lot of chatter this year about energy efficiency, sustainability and the wastewater infrastructure. A big ticket issue was the EPA’s new Clean Water and Drinking Water Infrastructure Sustainability Policy. This of course ties right into our philosophy – save operating and energy cost, work towards a sustainable water infrastructure and become greener through conscientiously managing your pump stations more efficiently.

Overall the show was amazing, we had great booth traffic, awesome help from Brendan’s reps – Coastal and Odessa Pumps, Hydra Service, Automatic Engineering Inc., Pete Duty and Associates, Instrument and Supply, and Nedrow and Associates. And of course our very own MultiTrode crew, Sandy in particular who did a great job organizing and coordinating WEFTEC 2010.  We are looking forward to taking on The City of Angels at WEFTEC 2011!

The 73rd Annual Victorian (WIOA)  Water Industry Engineers & Operators Conference & Exhibition was held at the Bendigo Showgrounds on 2nd and 3rd September 2010. There were 141 exhibitors and over 1000 people attended the exhibition over the two days. There were conference sessions held over the two days allowing delegates to see vendor exhibits and also attend presentations.
There were Award Presentations for the following:

• Presentation of Actizyme Prizes for “Best paper by WIOA Members”
• Presentation of Hepburn & Iwaki Prizes for “Best Paper Overall”
• Presentation of WITC Prize for “Best Operator Poster Paper”
• Presentation of “Operator of the Year” as judged by AWA (Vic)
• Presentation of “Young Operator of Year” as judged by IWA (Vic)

Our stand was well located and we met existing customers and also potential new customers.  Overall it was worthwhile to exhibit and be seen as it increases awareness of our products and enhances the Multitrode brand. Stuart and myself needed to put the feet up after three days of standing and also the “fun part” setting up and packing up!

Why Do We Need Reservoirs?
The vast majority of Americans rely on centralized water systems for potable water. Centralized water systems typically include:

• Watershed – A Water Source
• Collection Point – Such as a lake, river, aquifer
• Treatment – Purification and Water Treatment Facilities
• Storage – Reservoirs, Storage Tanks, Water Towers, Standpipes
• Distribution – Network of Pipes and Pump Stations

 What is a Reservoir Monitor?
Centralized water systems consist of hydrologic and hydraulic elements including a Reservoir Monitor. A Reservoir Monitor is a device used to transmit water level information from a Reservoir to a Pump Station.

Why is Reservoir Monitoring Important?
Monitoring the level of water in a reservoir is very important to the general population because it influences decisions ranging from water appropriation to agriculture to hydropower generation. In addition, during times of heavy rainfall, water level information is crucial to planning and flood avoidance.

This growing need for optimizing the use and management water can be met by MultiTrode’s Remote Reservoir Monitor (MTRRM), which gathers water level and I/O data from a Reservoir to be used in a Pump Station at a different location.

MultiTrode’s Remote Reservoir Monitor (MTRRM)
MultiTrode’s Remote Reservoir Monitor (MTRRM) has two analog inputs, one analogue output, six digital inputs, three digital outputs and an input for monitoring the DC supply voltage. The MTRRM can link to a Pump Station via a SCADA system, or in a stand-alone configuration.

In a SCADA network, the CMF (Central Monitoring Facility) typically makes the decisions on activation of pumps. However, when the CMF is not operational for any reason, the MTRRM and remote Pump Station sense this and transmit in a peer-to-peer configuration, increasing water supply reliability. (When the MTRRM detects that the SCADA system is running again, it will revert back to normal operation via the CMF).

The MTRRM can also be used as a forwarding site for messages from SCADA to other units. This is useful for getting information to sites that cannot communicate directly with the SCADA system.

MultiSmart has the capability of calculating efficiency based on 3 measured variables:

1. Supply Voltage
2. Current
3. Flow

Knowing these 3 variables enables the Operator to calculate gallons per kilowatt Hr (gal/kWhr).

MultiSmart Firmware Version 2.3.0 includes a groundbreaking advancement, Alternation by Efficiency, the ingenious derivative of MultiSmart’s gal/kWhr ability!

In order to save energy costs, this mode is especially useful where an old pump, scheduled for replacement, is coupled with a new pump.

The Old Way:

Create an N to 1 ratio based on the most efficient pump, allowing the most efficient pump to run N (N is user adjustable) times more than the least efficient pump.

The Problem:

1. Although pump efficiencies begin to equalize, the alternation mode is continues to favor one pump over the other because N to 1 is an absolute comparison.
2. When implemented, some stations experience a high number of starts per day on the most efficient pump which adversely affects the efficiency of new pumps.
3. Not all systems are set up the same. Therefore, there’s a need for indication of the currently active alternation scheme.

MultiTrode’s Solution:

MultiTrode is committed to R&D, continually working on product improvement and new product developments, responding to ideas and feedback from customers.

Our team of highly qualified R&D engineers set their sights on addressing these shortcomings, focused on making O&M jobs easier and elating our Customers.  There is we did:

1. MultiTrode created an Efficiency Deadband (%). This allows for a standard alternation scheme to occur whenever the efficiency of the pumps fall into the Efficiency Deadband. If the difference in efficiency exceeds the Efficiency Deadband, the station will resume the N to 1 ratio favoring the most efficient pump.
2. MultiTrode recommends setting the Station Optimization feature of Max Starts per Hour on each pump.
3. For ease of reference, a database tag was created to indicate when the regular alternation scheme is active in the Pump Alternation Efficiency Mode.

Written By:
Jimmy Hidalgo
MultiTrode Applications Engineer
May 14, 2010

The DuoProbe has 10 metallic sensors, just like MultiTrode’s standard Probe, with the addition of a built-in pressure transducer integrated to the end of Probe. After initial configuration, the DuoProbe will appear to operate exactly like MultiTrode’s standard Probe. After just a few level cycles, the unit will “Auto-Calibrate” and go into High Resolution mode using its built-in pressure transducer.

MultiTrode’s innovative Pump Station Manager – the MultiSmart – will periodically recalibrate the DuoProbe thus ensuring accuracy. In the unlikely event the pressure transducer fails, the MultiSmart will automatically switch over to operate off the 10 Sensor Probe. The DuoProbe will only function with the MultiSmart Pump Station Manager.

Innovative features include:

• High Resolution Level reading can be very useful in VFD systems or any system where monitoring small changes in level is desirable.
• Ability to monitor liquid after it has exceeded the top of the Probe.
• Level can be monitored all the way to top of well even if the DuoProbe is at bottom of well enabling Operators to know the exact well level (especially significant in emergency conditions).
• Particular useful to sites with a SCADA connection because Operators can determine which well(s) are at their highest levels and dispatch emergency generator equipment accordingly.

 Tim Agrillo
May 12, 2010

Simply:

• Download the firmware to your computer and unzip the file.
• Look for the file named update.img.
• Use a flash card reader/writer to copy the file to the flash card. (You can purchase a USB compact flash reader/writer from MultiTrode or other sources.)
• Insert the compact flash card into the MultiSmart unit and restart (press Settings->More->More->Restart).
• The unit will use the upgrade image to save the latest firmware automatically
• Press the yellow “Save CF Data” button on your MultiSmart unit before ejecting the CF card. Failure to do so may result in data corruption and/or damage to the CF card.
• We recommend that you erase the update.img file from the CF card after upgrading all units that you need to upgrade. 

What exactly is a ball float anyhow?

The ball float method is a direct reading liquid level mechanism.  The most practical design for the ball float is a hollow metal ball or sphere.  However, there are no restrictions to the size, shape or material used.  The operation of the ball float is simple; the ball floats sit on top of the liquid in a tank or well.  If the liquid level changes, the float will follow with the liquid level change.  The downside with using ball floats is they also can get tangled up or weighed down with grease or foam or when grease hardens the float may sit on top of the hardened grease thus creating a false reading.  You also have to take into account that there may be some costly maintenance involve with using a ball float system.

On the other hand, the probe or sometimes referred to as a “stick” is considered a primary level sensing device in any municipal or industrial application. It works by using the conductive properties of the water.

All you do is, hang the probe on its own cable into your wet well, using brackets we supply.  It has no electronics and no moving parts, which means there is nothing to that gets tangled, break or fail.  It’s mounted near the inflow (which we highly recommend doing), allowing the turbulence to keep it clean, so there is virtually very little maintenance required.  Even if a build-up does occur it has a squeegy you just pull it through “simple as pie,” it’s usually conductive and keeps right on working.  That’s why it has a 10 year warranty!

Request a trial today: http://www.multitrode.com/landing/reliable-liquid-level-sensor

A protocol defines the rules by which devices talk to each other. DNP3 is a protocol for transmitting data from Point A to Point B via serial and IP communications. Although DNP is most commonly used by electric, gas, water and wastewater utilities, it can be used anywhere a SCADA system is exists.

Why Do Devices Need to Talk to Each Other?
Utility providers commonly have lots of operations they need to monitor. Typically, there is a central operations center plus remote equipment in the field.  The central operations center houses their main computer.  Installations/substations house remote equipment in the field.  DNP is used to facilitate communication between the main computer and remote equipment, enabling the main computer to remotely open/close circuit breakers, measure line voltages, start/stop motors, open/close valves, check for errors, etc.

View Previous Blog Series on DNP3:

DNP3 Part 1 – Date/Time Stamping

DNP3 Part 2 – Communications Options

DNP3 Part 3 – Security

DNP3 Part 4 – Reliability

DNP3 Part 5 – Compliance

Current class offerings include:

• Latest Advances in Pump Station Management
• Introduction to the MultiSmart: the World’s 1st Pump Station Manager
• Introduction to Backup Controllers for Lift Stations
• Customized classes also available

Hurry – Space is filling fast!

To take advantage of this extraordinary opportunity, contact Sandy Santiago at 561-994-8090 or sandys@multitrode.com.

After making your reservation, you will receive an email Webinar Invitation with simply to follow instructions. Then sit back in the comfort of your own office while the MultiTrode Team entertain you with tales of technological advancements and features that will make every day in the field seem like a walk in the park!

MultiTrode had the opportunity to work with the Town of Greenwich, CT, on a telemetry upgrade to their sanitary sewer collection system pump stations, a project that required extraordinary preliminary planning.

Recently, the Town of Greenwich’s Wastewater Division Manager, Richard Feminella, took time out of his busy day to write Aaron Parkinson, President of MultiTrode, to share his praises of both MultiTrode and our Engineering Services Manager, Nick Claudio.

About MultiTrode, Mr. Feminella wrote that Greenwich has “been extremely satisfied with the MultiTrode system and installation.” 

As an organization, our longstanding goal is to be the very best we can be – to meet every challenge head on, to solve every issue to the utmost of our ability, overcoming the foreseeable and unforeseeable, to ensure each and every MultiTrode customer walks away satisfied.

Mr. Feminella goes on to write that “Nick was responsive, courteous, polite, knowledgeable and performed each and every task correctly and without any delay”.

We couldn’t agree more!  Nick is that rare combination of knowledge, professionalism and readiness that makes every project easier, and every client happier. 

 Thank you, Mr. Feminella, for your kind words.
& Thank you, Nick, for yet another job well done!