Video Demonstrates Teledyne ISCO Automatic Sampler's Real-World Role in Detecting COVID-19 in Wastewater Systems

Researchers at UC Berkeley are using a simple and effective method for detecting the presence of the Coronavirus in wastewater flowing through municipal sewer systems. Water testing will assist public policymakers to determine where and how to implement COVID-19 prevention and treatment plans. 

Wastewater testing, also known as "wastewater quality indicators," is a broad term for the various test methodologies used to measure water quality. These tests investigate the physical, chemical, and biological properties of wastewater.  Wastewater naturally collects waste from hundreds to even millions of people in a single sample.  By drawing a representative sample of wastewater and analyzing it, you can gain a tremendous amount of information that you would likely not be able to achieve by testing people individually. 

The amount of viral matter in wastewater from a community could reveal the prevalence of COVID-19 in the population. This information can trigger the necessary mitigation initiatives and response plans, such as individual testing, contract tracking, and quarantine. It also allows for collecting data on a cross-section of the population, allowing for the monitoring of public health solutions for large groups. However, it is challenging to detect tiny virus particles in the wastewater that flows through our sewage pipes, considering it includes toilet water and sink water, shower water, and everything else that goes down the drain. Teledyne ISCO is leading the way in the use of automatic samplers for gathering wastewater to identify virus evidence in sewage.

Teledyne ISCO is a leading manufacturer and supplier of rugged, dependable field-portable instruments for water quality monitoring.  Their automatic sampler readings analyze the characteristics and presence of the Coronavirus in parts per million quantities, which, when compared to population numbers in a geographic area, aids in determining the presence and amount of virus in the wastewater. 

The above-referenced UC Berkeley videos provide a real-life example of how the Teledyne ISCO water sampler collects wastewater for COVID-19 analysis. In this video, samples are gathered from their University Village and sewers draining from UC Berkeley's undergraduate dormitories and surrounding neighborhoods.

The full video link is here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwsRUw4y_dU.

The full article outlining UC Berkeley's initiative is here.

For more information about Teledyne ISCO samplers used for Covid detection in Florida, contact Instrument Specialties, Inc. Call 407-324-7800 or visit https://isisales.com.

AUMA Electric Actuators for Water Distribution and Wastewater Treatment

Drinking water abstraction and distribution, as well as sewage disposal and purification, are basic prerequisites for community infrastructure development. Security of supply is crucial for any modern water industry.

Piping of different lengths and nominal diameters must be automated with a multitude of valve types. From potable water production and distribution, to sewage treatment, to water treatment systems, AUMA actuators automate valves of any size and design. AUMA has been building electric actuators and valve gearboxes for over 50 years, and is one of the leading manufacturers in the water industry. AUMA is well implanted due to their broad product portfolio including multi-turn, part-turn, and linear actuators. In combination with high corrosion protection, they guarantee a long service life, low in maintenance.

For more information about AUMA electric actuators in water distribution and wastewater treatment, contact Instrument Specialties. Call them at 407-324-7800 or visit their site at https://isisales.com. 

Coronavirus is Proving We Need an Early Warning System to Test Wastewater

Wastewater testing, or “wastewater quality indicators” are broad descriptions for the various test methodologies to measure water quality.  These tests analyze the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of wastewater.

As countries and individual healthcare organizations work to arrest the spread of Covid-19 and to care for those who are infected, officials in some geographic locations are using wastewater testing as a possible method for identifying levels of Covid-19 in their communities.  The testing goal is to detect evidence of the Covid-19 genetic material, ribonucleic acid (RNA), in fecal matter in sewage and wastewater.

The novel virus, SARS-CoV-2, is the virus that causes Covid-19. It is known to invade the GI (gastrointestinal) track in some patients, and so the virus is extracted in their fecal matter. 

Looking at the amount of viral matter in waste water from a community could uncover the level of Covid-19 spread in the population.  This information can then be a trigger for the required mitigation initiatives and response plans, such as testing individuals, contract tracking, and quarantine. It also allows for information to be gathered on a cross section of the population, allowing for a way to monitor public health solutions for large groups.  

Scientists from around the world are setting up pilot programs to test waste water.  The Netherlands has successfully performed a Covid-19 test for waste water and additional programs are launching in Singapore, Zurich, Lausanne,  Milan, Rome, Australia, and in parts of the US, such as Colorado, Ohio, New York, and Wyoming.  Scientists in these regions have been able to identify the novel Coronavirus at low concentrations in waste water, pointing to an early warning systems for communities.  

In April, 2020, the scientific journal, Nature, listed that over a dozen groups around the globe were doing research analyzing waste water for Covid-19, and that evidence of the virus was already found in the United States, the Netherlands, and Sweden.

Teledyne ISCO is paving the way with use of water samplers in the effort to identify the virus evidence in sewage.   Their automatic sampler readings analyze the characteristics and presence of the Coronavirus in parts per million quantities and can be laid against the population numbers of a geographic area to ascertain the existence and amount of virus existing in the waste water. 

For more information about the use of Teledyne ISCO water samplers for SARS-CoV-2 monitoring in wastewater contact Instrument Specialties, Inc. Call them at 407-324-7800 or visit their website at https://isisales.com.

The MSA ULTIMA® X5000 Gas Monitor

The ULTIMA® X5000 Gas Monitor is the future of gas detection for oxygen, toxic and combustible gases. MSA XCell® gas sensors with TruCal® technology offer calibration cycles up to 18 months (local calibration respected). The gas transmitter's advanced, multi-lingual OLED display is easy to read and the unique touch-screen interface makes it simple to navigate.

• X5000 Gas Monitor Features:
• Bluetooth wireless technology
• Check status and get alerts up to 75 ft. (23 m) away 
• Modify settings/setpoints/alarms
• Initiate calibration and view progress
• Reduce setup time by at least 50%
• Up to 1.5 YEARS between calibrations!
• Adaptive Environmental Compensation (AEC)
• 12+ Patents
• 5 Yr. Expected Life
• 3 Yr. Warranty

DOWNLOAD THE ULTIMA® X5000 BROCHURE HERE

For more information on the ULTIMA® X5000, contact Instrument Specialties, Inc. Call them at 407.324.7800 or visit https://isisales.com.

Non-Contact Area Velocity Flow Measurement Using Advanced Laser Doppler Technology

Non-contact flow measurement in open channels is
effectively conducted with laser doppler technology
Image courtesy Teledyne ISCO

An effective way to measure liquid flow in open channels employs a combination of non-contact Laser Doppler Velocity technology and non-contact Ultrasonic Level technology. Teledyne ISCO manufactures a variant of their LaserFlow non-contact flow meter that incorporates both velocity and depth sensors into a single compact unit. The sensor uses advanced technology to measure velocity with a laser at single or multiple points below the surface of the water or wastewater stream.

An ultrasonic level sensor provides the depth of the flow, and the system determines a sub-surface point at which to measure velocity. The sensor then focuses the laser at the designated point and measures the frequency shift of the returned light.

This sensor is ideal for a broad range of wastewater monitoring applications and is compatible with readily available flow meters.

With optional continuous wave Doppler Ultrasonic Area Velocity technology flow measurement continues without interruption even while submerged.

A specially designed mounting bracket enables deployment of the sensor in a manner that permits removal from street level, avoiding the risk and expense of confined space entry. A variety of communication options enable programming and data retrieval from a remote location as well. Built-in diagnostic tools simplify installation, maintenance, and advanced communication options reduce site visits.

The sensor provides excellent system versatility across a wide variety of industrial applications to manhole installations, with many configuration options providing the flexibility to measure flow in most open channel applications.

Depending on your application needs, the device can be programmed to take velocity measurements at single or multiple points below the water's surface, producing an accurate mean velocity reading.

In applications where the level measurement point of the built-in ultrasonic and the measurement point of the laser velocity are of different elevations, such as a freefalling outfall or drop manhole, the remote ultrasonic option can be used so that both measurement points reference the same elevation.

During submerged conditions, the optional bottom-mounted area velocity sensor seamlessly takes over the flow rate measurement. The sensor provides ultrasonic Doppler velocity measurement and Differential Pressure level measurement. This option measures flow in the pipe/channel. By measuring velocity over a large area, the ultrasonic Doppler technology provides more accurate flow measurement during submerged conditions.

For redundant flow measurement at critical monitoring sites, a unique flexibility is added by an optional sensor which is mounted at the bottom of the pipe. This sensor provides redundant velocity, level, and flow data from the same site as the device.

Following initial installation and adjustment, the sensor can be installed or removed as needed without manhole entry in most situations, using the optional sensor retrieval arm to grasp the handle. The handle's simple yet effective locking mechanism holds the sensor securely in place, and is easy to engage and release from above ground.

Share your open channel flow measurement challenges with measurement instrumentation experts. Leverage your own knowledge and experience with their product application expertise to develop an effective solution.

Non-Contact Open Channel Flow Measurement from Instrument Specialties, Inc.

Water Quality Analysis - Constituent Survey (Part 2)

Water is a vital part of many industrial processes

It would be difficult to understate the role and importance of water in industrial processing, even our own biological existence. In the first installment of this series, the roles of dissolved oxygen and chlorides were covered.

Continuing the examination of water quality monitoring in municipal and industrial processes, another key variable which requires monitoring for industrial water use is sulfate. Sulfate is a combination of sulfur and oxygen, salts of sulfuric acid. Similarly to chlorides, they can impact water utilization processes due to their capability for corrosion. The power generation industry is particularly attuned to the role of sulfates in their steam cycle, as should be any boiler operator. Minerals can concentrate in steam drums and accelerate corrosion. Thanks to advancements in monitoring technology, instruments are available which monitor for both chlorides (covered in the previous installment in this series) and sulfates with minimal supervision needed by the operator, ensuring accurate detection of constituent levels outside of an acceptable range. Ionic separation technologies precisely appraise the amount of sulfate ions in the stream, allowing for continuous evaluation and for corrective action to be taken early-on, avoiding expensive repairs and downtime.

Another substance worthy of measurement and monitoring in process water is sodium. Pure water production equipment, specifically cation exchange units, can be performance monitored with an online sodium analyzer. Output from the cation bed containing sodium, an indication of deteriorating performance, can be diverted and the bed regenerated. Steam production and power generation operations also benefit from sodium monitoring in an effort to combat corrosion in turbines, steam tubes, and other components. Sodium analyzers are very sensitive, able to detect trace levels.

Ammonia is comprised of nitrogen and hydrogen and, while colorless, carries a distinct odor. Industries such as agriculture utilize ammonia for fertilizing purposes, and many other specializations, including food processing, chemical synthesis, and metal finishing, utilize ammonia for their procedural and product-oriented needs. An essential understanding of ammonia, however, includes the fact that the chemical is deadly to many forms of aquatic life. Removing ammonia from industrial wastewater is a processing burden of many industries due to the environmental toxicity.

Methods for removing ammonia from wastewater include a biological treatment method called ‘conventional activated sludge’, aeration, sequencing batch reactor, and ion exchange. Several methods exist for in-line or sample based measurement of ammonia concentration in water. Each has particular procedures, dependencies, and limitations which must be considered for each application in order to put the most useful measurement method into operation.

As water is an essential part of almost every facet of human endeavor and the environment in which we all dwell, the study and application of related analytics is an important component of many water based processes. The variety of compounds which can be considered contaminants or harmful elements when dissolved or contained in water presents multiple challenges for engineers and process operators.

Share your water quality analysis requirements and challenges with an analytical instrumentation specialist, combining your own process knowledge with their product application expertise to develop effective solutions.

Water Quality Analysis – Constituent Survey (Part 1)

Wastewater Treatment Plant

Of all the raw materials available for human consumption – aside from the air we breathe – the most vital component of life on earth is water. In addition to the global need for humans to drink water in order to survive, the use of water is essential in a myriad of industries relating to process control. Whether the goal is the production or monitoring of pure water for industrial use, or the processing of wastewater, the ability to measure the presence and level of certain chemical constituents of water is necessary for success.

In order to use water properly, industrial professionals combine state of the art analyzers with technical expertise to evaluate water quality for use or disposal. Two essential values of process control are ensuring elements of a control system are accurate and secure, and, furthermore, that they are accurate and secure for each product every time. By properly vetting water in industry, engineers and other personnel in fields such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, food & beverage, brewing, power, and microelectronics are able to maintain standards of production excellence and conform with regulatory requirements related to water quality.

The amount of dissolved oxygen present in water can correlate with the degree of movement at an air-water interface, also being impacted by pressure, temperature, and salinity. Excessive or deficient dissolved oxygen levels in industrial process waters may have an impact on process performance or end product quality. Likely, the most common application for dissolved oxygen measurement is in the evaluation of wastewater for biological oxygen demand. The primary function of dissolved oxygen in wastewater is to enable and enhance the oxidation of organic material by aerobic bacteria, a necessary step in treatment.

To measure dissolved oxygen, specialized sensors and companion instruments are employed that require careful maintenance and trained technical operators. The level of measurement precision varies depending on the industry employing the technology, with numerous applications also being found in the food & beverage and pharmaceutical industries. In-line continuous measurement is used in wastewater processing to determine if the dissolved oxygen remains in a range that supports the bacteria necessary for biodegradation.

Chloride concentration in wastewater is strictly regulated. Industrial and commercial operation effluent can be regulated with respect to allowable chloride content. While commonly found in both streams and wastewater, chlorides, in large amounts, can present challenges to water utilization or processing facilities. Chloride levels impact corrosion, conductivity, and taste (for industries in which such a variable is paramount). In a process system, having an essential component marred due to elevated quantities of a substance could reverberate into any end-product being manufactured. Chloride analyzers, some of which can also detect and monitor other water characteristics, serve as important tools for water consuming facilities to meet regulatory standards for effluent discharge or internal quality standards for recycling.

There are other constituents of what we refer to as “water” that are subject to measurement and monitoring for a range of institutional, industrial, and municipal applications. Those will be explored in the next part of this article series. Share your water analysis and treatment challenges with application experts, combining your own process expertise with their product knowledge to develop effective solutions.

Advanced Laser Doppler Technology for Non-Contacting Area Velocity Flow Measurement

Laser Doppler Technology
for Non-Contacting Area
Velocity Flow Measurement
(by Teledyne ISCO)

A new velocity sensor remotely measures flow in open channels with non-contact Laser Doppler Velocity technology and non-contact Ultrasonic Level technology. The sensor uses advanced technology to measure velocity with a laser beam at single or multiple points below the surface of the wastewater stream.

An ultrasonic level sensor is used to measure the level and then determines a sub-surface point to measure velocity. The sensor then focuses its laser beam at this point and measures the frequency shift of the returned light.

This sensor is ideal for a broad range of wastewater monitoring applications and is compatible with readily available flow meters.

With optional continuous wave Doppler Ultrasonic Area Velocity technology flow measurement continues without interruption even while submerged.

With a specially designed mounting bracket the sensor can be deployed and removed from street level,  avoiding the risk and expense of confined space entry. A variety of communication options enable programming and data retrieval from a remote location as well. Built-in diagnostic tools simplify installation, maintenance, and advanced communication options reduce site visits.

The sensor provides excellent system versatility across a wide variety of industrial applications to manhole installations, with many configuration options providing the flexibility to measure flow in most open channel applications.

Depending on your application needs, the device can be programmed to take velocity measurements at single or multiple points below the water's surface, producing an accurate mean velocity reading.

In applications where the level measurement point of the built-in ultrasonic and the measurement point of the laser velocity are of different elevations, such as a freefalling outfall or drop manhole, the remote ultrasonic option can be used so that both measurement points reference the same elevation.

During submerged conditions, the optional bottom-mounted area velocity sensor seamlessly takes over the flow rate measurement. The sensor provides ultrasonic Doppler velocity measurement and Differential Pressure level measurement. This option measures flow in the pipe/channel. By measuring velocity over a large area, the ultrasonic Doppler technology provides more accurate flow measurement during submerged conditions.

For redundant flow measurement at critical monitoring sites, a unique flexibility is added by an optional sensor which is mounted at the bottom of the pipe. This sensor provides redundant velocity, level, and flow data from the same site as the device.

Following initial installation and adjustment, the sensor can be installed or removed as needed without manhole entry in most situations, using the optional sensor retrieval arm to grasp the handle.

The handle's simple yet effective locking mechanism holds the sensor securely in place, and is easy to engage and release from above ground.

Advanced Laser Doppler Technology for Non-Contacting Area Velocity Flow Measurement from Instrument Specialties, Inc.

For more information contact:

Instrument Specialties Inc.
3885 St. Johns Parkway
Sanford, FL 32771
phone 407.324.7800
fax 407.324.1104
e-mail: offices@isisales.com