Ontario water treatment plant optimises process with GE membranes
The Region of Peel, Ontario, Canada, has optimised the timing of its system upgrade with new membranes, using GE’s asset performance management solution.
At the same time, a unique membrane cassette refurbishment programme will ultimately save the Lakeview Water Treatment Plant over $1.5 million ($1.4m) while minimising environmental impact.
Working together, GE Water & Process Technologies and the Region of Peel determined the optimal replacement timing for membranes in each section of the plant using the InSight asset performance management (APM) platform.
Armed with the data generated from InSight, which identified the remaining useful life of its membranes plantwide, the Region of Peel decided to upgrade the Lakeview plant to the latest ZeeWeed 1000 ultrafiltration membrane technology in two phases.
It will subsequently improve membrane permeability and generate additional energy savings, both of which enable the plant to meet its expected life cycle costs and performance targets.
“Water quality is one of our highest priorities, and we look forward to continuing to provide a clean, reliable drinking water supply for our residents thanks to GE’s technology and partnership,” said Andrew Farr, executive director for water and wastewater at Region of Peel.
“Water & Process Technologies has been a constant partner for us at the Lakeview Water Treatment Plant and throughout its subsequent expansions, as well as other projects throughout the region.”
InSight’s analytical capabilities were a key factor in helping to determine the optimal replacement programme.
By monitoring and trending key performance indicators, InSight showed which trains were nearing replacement.
Using this data, GE helped the Region of Peel maximise the lifespan of its membranes by ensuring they were not replaced too early, avoiding unnecessary spending, or too late, risking water quality and the safety of its residents.
Environmental benefits
The membrane replacement also includes several environmental benefits and cost savings opportunities for the region by reducing the amount of waste from stainless steel components and saving additional water and energy that would have been used to manufacture new frames.
A further environmental impact was generated by taking advantage of rented membrane shipping frames from GE, which reduces not only shipping costs and the associated carbon footprint by almost 70%, but also the amount of plastic and cardboard needed in the shipping process, eliminating up to 7,000 plastic bags and cardboard boxes.
These programmes will save the Region of Peel more than $1.5 million while minimising the overall impact to the environment.
The Lakeview Water Treatment Plant produces up to 436 million litres per day of treated drinking water.
Water is taken from nearby Lake Ontario and treated for distribution to more than 800,000 people.
Installation of its new ZeeWeed 1000 membranes will take place in two stages with the first phase being completed in the fourth quarter of 2016 and the second phase toward the end of 2017, resulting in an average life cycle of more than ten years.
