Protecting Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants from Surges and Lightning Strikes

water treatment plant
Water treatment plant are susceptible to lightning strikes.

Well heads and central processing plants found in water production and wastewater processing sites are susceptible to lightning and surge events. It is important to protect them as these events can range from disruptive at the least to damaging at the worst for your system.

As a company or utility involved in water production or wastewater treatment systems, you have invested a lot of time and money into making sure these systems run efficiently – and for good reason, because many of these systems have a large population depending on them for consistent service. Besides this population base, health and safety risks could occur if the systems are not running properly.

Furthermore, many of these systems depend on sensitive electronic equipment. The combination of
the intricacies of the systems and the importance of them means that an efficient lightning and surge protection system should be installed in the facility.

lightning
Protect against surges and strikes
The lightning and protection systems for water protection and wastewater treatment systems should be incorporated into the site’s construction, and feature an intermeshed earthing or grounding system. Ideally, these grounding systems should be designed by the engineering firm or department creating the design. Along with this grounding system, strategically placed and appropriately designed and installed surge arresters should be added to ensure the best defense against lightning and surge events.

lightning and surge protection
Lightning and surge protection
by DEHN

Or contact:
Instrument Specialties Inc.
3885 St. Johns Parkway
Sanford, FL 32771
Phone 407.324.7800

Fike Rupture Disc Sizing Bulletin

rupture disc
Fike rupture disc.
The objective of this bulletin is to provide detailed guidance for sizing rupture discs using standard methodologies found in ASME Section VIII Div. 1, API RP520, and Crane TP-410. To assist in the sizing process, contact Instrument Specialties at 407.324.7800 for help.

Overpressure Allowance

When sizing pressure relief devices, the Code defines the maximum pressure that may build up in the pressure vessel while the device is relieving. This pressure varies depending on the application of the device. The following table defines the various overpressure allowances.

Rupture Disc Sizing Methodologies

There are 3 basic methodologies for sizing rupture disc devices:
  1. Coefficient of Discharge Method (KD) — The KD is the coefficient of discharge that is applied to the theoretical flow rate to arrive at a rated flow rate for simple systems.
  2. Resistance to Flow Method (KR) — The KR represents the velocity head loss due to the rupture disc device. This head loss is included in the overall system loss calculations to determine the size of the relief system.
  3. Combination Capacity Method — When a rupture disc device is installed in combination with a pressure relief valve, the valve capacity is derated by a default value of 0.9 or a tested value for the disc/valve combination. See technical bulletin TB8101 for specific application requirements when using rupture disc devices in combination with PRVs.
Access the entire bulletin below:

Smart Control for Steam Boiler Water Level

Maintaining proper water level in a boiler is necessary for safe and efficient operation. Historically, boiler level measurement and control were accomplished with mechanical means. Today, sensor technology, electronics, and software bring improved accuracy and a host of other useful features to the water level control system.

Clark-Reliance, a globally recognized leader in level indication and control, separation and filtration for steam systems, has developed a smart boiler level indication system to enhance boiler operation. The video included below provides an illustrative overview of the system, how it works and the benefits it will bring to a new or retrofit installation.

Share your combustion and steam challenges with experienced specialists, and combine your site and project knowledge with their expertise to deliver an effective solution.