WEFTEC 2010 New Orleans, what a great show!

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!

General News DuoProbe, efficiency, environmental, MultiSmart, probe, pump station, Pump Station Management, Pump Station Optimization, SCADA, WEFTEC

The MultiTrode DuoProbe is built on the concept of combining MultiTrode’s ultra reliable 10 Sensor Probe with the high resolution of a pressure transducer.

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 Read more…

General News DuoProbe, pressure transducer, probe, SCADA, VFD

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 Read more…

General News Ball Float, ball float system, ball floats, Level Sensing, liquid level mechanism, primary level sensing devise, probe

The MultiTrode Probe has proven to be the most reliable and cost-effective liquid level sensor available.

How Does the Probe Work?
The Probe works by using the conductive properties of the water itself to complete a circuit with a controller. It’s mounted near the inflow, allowing the turbulence to keep it clean. Even if a build-up does occur it’s usually conductive (in wastewater) and so the Probe keeps right on working. When cleaning is required, the probe is installed off a mounting bracket that includes a cleaning device.

Why is it so reliable?
Ultra-reliable! No electronics and no moving parts means there is nothing to fail. That’s why it has a 10-year warranty! No other liquid level sensor comes close.

Why is it easier to install than other level devices?
All you do is hanging the Probe on its own cable into your wet well, using the bracket we supply. Installation is simple – any one of your technicians could do it in an hour or so. What’s more, you install the Probe relatively low down in the wet well. Compared to ball floats, it allows the well to be cleaned out more thoroughly. That means less debris build-up, odors and pump clogs.

Key Features

• Virtually no maintenance required
• Simple installation from outside the sump
• Easy visibility of start and stop points
• Unaffected by fat, oil, grease, debris and foam
• Excellent in turbulent sumps
• Safe, low sensing voltage
• Comes in a variety of lengths with 10-sensors, 3-sensors or single sensor.
• Custom sizes also available. 

Read more…

In the well Level Sensing, lift station, probe, wastewater, water

MultiTrode will be on the road in April…

Texas Water 2010
American Bank Center
1901 N. Shoreline Boulevard
Corpus Christi, TX  78403
4/13/2010 – 4/16/2010
Booth #818

Design-Build for Water and Wastewater
Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center
1501 Gaylord Trail
Grapevine, TX  76051
4/19/2010 – 4/23/2010
Booth #208

APWA /OWEA Show
Renaissance Tulsa Hotel & Convention Center
6808 S. 107th East Avenue
Tulsa, OK
4/19/2010 – 4/21/2010
Attending with Automatic Engineering

79th Annual Conference, Short School, and Expo
Hot Springs Convention Center
400 Convention Boulevard
Hot Springs, AR 71901
4/30/2010 – 5/5/2010
Attending with ISI

Please stop by our booths. There you can find out more about MultiTrode Products.

Featuring:

• MultiSmart – The world’s first Pump Station Manager
• The Probe – The most reliable and cost effective liquid level sensor
• SafeSmart Backup Controllers – A complete backup solution

Read more…

MultiTrode News backup controllers, Level Sensing, liquid level sensor, MultiSmart, probe, pump station, Pump Station Management, safesmart

MultiTrode’s Family of Products can be used in a wide variety of applications – water reservoirs, effluent pits, reuse water, water tanks/reservoirs, basement sumps, potable water – even stormwater!

Our recent experience in the City of Zephyrhills (Florida) is a case on point. They needed a simple method of detecting water levels to avoid repeated stormwater flooding, and we were up for the challenge.

Case Study – City of Zephyrhills
Stormwater Pump Controls

Zephyrhills is located in Pasco County, on a ridge that divides the Hillsborough River Basin from the Withlacoochee River Basin. Lake Zephyr, an integral part of the City’s stormwater drainage system, eventually flows south to the Hillsborough River. Although most of the City is drained by surface swales, their structural drainage system includes 2 retention ponds with pumps, emergency generators and force mains. The larger pond is East off US 301 and North of 6 Avenue. The smaller pond is West of 1 Street and South of 14 Avenue. Both ponds are almost completely utilized.

The Challenge
The larger stormwater pond acts as a reservoir, temporarily collecting surface water run-off from surrounding streets. Two large pumps transfer the water to Lake Zephyr, located approximately two miles from the collection area. Last year, level switches controlling the two 40 horsepower pumps failed and the water level rose high enough to cause flooding in surrounding streets and a fire station.

Click here to read more…

  Read more…

MultiTrode News Level Sensing, lift station, MTR, probe, storm water, storm water pump controls, stormwater, stormwater pump controls, unreliable level sensing

On behalf of the entire MultiTrode Team – we invite you to attend our new educational webinar series.

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! Read more…

General News backup controller, Level Sensing, lift station, MultiSmart, probe, Pump Controller, pump efficiency, pump station, Pump Station Management, Pump Station Optimization, Technical, webinar

Maintenance is defined as “actions performed to keep some machine or system functioning or in good working order.”

The design life of most equipment requires periodic maintenance: adjustments, alignments, lubrication, rotating, parts replacement, etc. Every time we fail to perform routine maintenance, we shorten the equipment’s design life.

Maintenance Approaches

Reactive Maintenance

Defined – Run it until you break it! No effort is made to maintain equipment; manufacturer recommendations are ignored. Also called “Crisis Maintenance” or “Hysterical Maintenance”.

Pros - No manpower hours are expended. No maintenance costs are incurred.

Cons – You may think you’re saving money, but you’re not.  Shortening the equipment’s design life may result in higher replacement costs. You may have an additional expense if you’ve worn down your secondary/backup equipment. Then, there is the element of chance – there is no guarantee that a critical piece of equipment will not fail during peak demand, or during weekend/holiday time.

Preventive Maintenance

Defined - Actions performed on a set schedule that detects, precludes or mitigates degradation of a component or system with the aim of sustaining or extending its design life. Also known as Condition Based Monitoring.

Pros – Although it is not the optimum maintenance program, it is a vast improvement over Reactive Maintenance. Performing manufacturer recommended preventative maintenance will maximize the equipment’s design life. Money will be saved by ensuring the equipment runs as efficiently as possible.

Cons - Risk is increased by human error during the performance of maintenance. You may find yourself conducting unneeded (but scheduled) maintenance. Although the risk of failure is reduced, it will not be eliminated.

Predictive Maintenance

Defined – Actions that detect the onset of failure, thereby allowing causal stressors to be eliminated or controlled prior to deterioration of the equipment. Predictive Maintenance differs from Preventive Maintenance by basing maintenance on need rather than a preset schedule.

Pros – A well-organized Predictive Maintenance program will all but eliminate catastrophic failures. The ability to plan ahead will facilitate inventory/part ordering and avoid overtime cost. Equipment operation can be optimized, energy costs can be reduced and system reliability increased.

Cons – Requires staff training and investment in technology.

MultiTrode Can Help

At MultiTrode, we believe Predictive Maintenance guarantees the best results. Predictive Maintenance, also known as Condition Based Monitoring, is the ideal maintenance strategy because it identifies when assets need to be replaced – allowing the utility to plan cost-effective maintenance.

To ensure that the hydraulic and electrical state of the pump and motor can be clearly monitored, the MultiSmart Pump Station Manager measures the following:

• Flow rates per pump, total volume per pump
• Energy used per pump
• Pup efficiency in gals/kWhr or liters/kWhr
• Insulation resistance per pump
• Supply voltage (all 3-phases)
• Current monitoring (all 3-phases)
• Detailed fault analysis for each pump

For a free MultiSmart demo, email UsSales@multitrode.com.

Learn more about the innovative Level Sensing Probe and intuitive MultiSmart Pump Station Manager at www.multitrode.com. Read more…

Industry condition based monitoring, maintenance, MultiSmart, preventive maintenance, probe, pump efficiency, pump station, Pump Station Management, Pump Station Optimization, reliability

What is Inflow and Infiltration?

Inflow and Infiltration (I&I) are terms used to describe the ways that groundwater and stormwater enter a sanitary sewer system.

• Inflow is storm and surface water that enters the sewer system at points of direct connection. These include footing/foundation drains, roof drains/leaders, downspouts, drains from window wells, outdoor basement stairwells, drains from driveways and groundwater/basement sump pumps. Ideally, inflow water should enter the stormwater system or be absorbed into the ground.
• Infiltration is rain and ground water that enters into the sewer system through cracks in sewer pipes, joints or manholes. These leaks may be caused by age-related deterioration, loose joints, poor design, root damage or maintenance issues. Sewer pipes are designed to last about 20-50 years. Often, sewer system pipes go much longer without maintenance and are likely to be damaged.

Flow Monitoring

Flow Monitoring equipment is used to determine if there is excessive I&I. Many types of flow monitoring instruments are available and pricing varies. To measure wastewater flows throughout the sewer system, it is important to select the appropriate Flow Meter.

A probe measures water velocity and depth. Long-term flow calculations can be made using simple water level recorders. More sophisticated flow meters can output, display and record flow information directly, but they represent a larger investment.

Benefits of Low Infiltration & Inflow 

• Efficient operation of wastewater treatment facilities
• Lower overall capital and operation costs
• Fewer/smaller expansions of hydraulically-sized system components (i.e. sewer lines, pumping stations, etc.)
• Decrease in the energy required to operate pumps
• Increased Compliance/Elimination of Violations with EPA requirements

Read more…

Industry flow meter, flow monitoring, infilitration, inflow, Level Sensing, probe, sewer system

How old is America’s wastewater infrastructure?

Much of the country’s infrastructure was built in the 30 years after World War II. Although age is a key indicator of a system’s health, equally important is the way the system has been maintained. A well-maintained system can operate effectively for a significant period of time.

All products have a life cycle – the clothes you wear, the desk you’re working on, the chair you’re sitting in – everything. The same is true for the nation’s infrastructure, and each of its components:

Components & Life Cycles

Collections: 80-100 Years

Treatment Plants (Concrete Structure): 50 Years

Treatment Plant Mechanical/Electrical Equipment: 15-20 Years

Force Mains: 25 Years

Pump Stations (Concrete Structure): 50 Years

Pump Stations (Mechanical/Electrical Equipment): 15 Years

Interceptors: 90-100 Years

What is the state of the Union?

Among the many challenges facing our water and wastewater systems are:

• Large Capital Investment
• Aging Workforce
• Lack of New Skilled Workers Entering the Marketplace
• Increased Regulation
• Disengaged Public
• Interdependence on the Energy Sector

Estimates of national investment needs range from $300 Billion to $2 Trillion over the next 20 years.

Today’s population is benefiting from the investments made by past generations. Looking forward, the EPA is promoting practices that encourage utilities to address existing needs so that future generations will not be left to rebuild a crumbling infrastructure. This is referred to as “Sustainable Infrastructure”.

The Four Pillars of Sustainable Infrastructure are better management, efficient water use, full-cost pricing of water and a watershed approach to protection. The EPA believes this will help utilities to operate more sustainably now and in the future.

MultiTrode Can Help!

Our technologically advanced products have been developed with system efficiency and easy interface in mind. With the push of a button, our smart pump controllers will help you:

• Promote effective utility management
• Minimize operations cost
• Facilitate effective asset management
• Improve maintenance and capital investment planning
• Reduce energy cost & CO2 emissions
• Increase system-wide efficiency

Learn more about the innovative Level Sensing Probe and intuitive MultiSmart Pump Station Manager. Read more…

Industry efficiency, environmental, Level Sensing, MultiSmart, probe, Pump Controller

Drawings of new pits come through my desk nearly every month and most have the MultiTrode Level Sensing Probe already specified, but from time to time I see a ball float right at the top to indicate high level and an alarm. The following figures show the backup level sensing configuration with a ball float and how that configuration matches with the backup Fail Safe Probe sensor design.
 

Proposed Tank Level With Ball Float

Proposed Tank Level With Fail Safe

It seems no one ever thought of changing the ball float to a new and more advanced Fail Safe Probe and install the Fail Safe Relay as well. Ball floats have their place; but when mission critical high level flow’s need a mission critical alarm, a Fail Safe Probe is the best bet together with a Fail Safe Relay.

Those who are familiar with the probe would know that the 200mm single sensor probe has just one wire, but the Fail Safe has two. The Fail Safe Controller will “integrate the loop” to check for continuity of the circuit; and if there is a break in the cable it will close a relay that will warn that, the integrity of the probe to do its job has been limited or has failed. Handy if you have a sewerage pumping station near a creek or river where people swim a lot. Read more…

In the well, Industry Backup Level Sensor, Ball Float, Fail Safe Probe, Level Sensing, probe

The MultiTrode Liquid Level Sensing Probe hangs in the wet-well by it’s own cable. When specifying the probe, we need to know:

1.       The probe length, which is the effective detection length. Standard lengths are 1.0m (3’), 1.5m (5’), 2.0m (6’), 2.5m (8’) and 3.0m (10’). Custom lengths are also available on request
2.       The cable length, which has to reach from the top of the probe in it’s normal hanging position, to the junction box or control panel.

In most installations, the probe is sized for the “live” depth of the well, the range that the liquid normally covers. The live range is typically only the bottom 25% – 50% or so of the full wet well depth. E.g. if the wet well is 5m deep, but the invert is 3m below ground level, the live range of the well will be 2.5m, so a 2.5m probe will be used. The probe will be hanging from the top of the well, with 2.5m of cable between the top of the probe and the hanging point.

Occasionally however, the probe will be installed to measure the full range of the well, such as when it is a back-up to an ultrasonic sensor. The top of the probe will be close to the mounting bracket, so an installer may think to pull the excess cable back through the conduit so that it is not hanging in the well, as shown in the first photo. The probe rarely needs cleaning, as the turbulence of the inflow cleans the debris off the probe (as seen in the first photo). However, if it does need cleaning, the method is to simply pull the probe up through the cleaning bracket, as shown in the second photo. This will require slack cable between the conduit entry and the top of the probe, equivalent to the length of the probe. The probe in the first photo cannot be cleaned in it’s current state. Cable will need to be pulled back through the conduit, and hung looped from the mounting bracket.

Probes are supplied with either 10m (30’) or 30m (100’) of cable as standard, longer lengths are available on request (but will incur shipping delays). If in doubt, it is better to have 19m too much cable than to have 1m not enough!

Probe installed without sufficient cable to facilitate lifting out of wetwell for cleaning.

Probe being cleaned.

In the well probe, probe installation