■ Development Trend
Recent intelligent applications in water and wastewater treatment developments mainly focus on data monitoring and collection. Automation or intelligent control technologies developments just start to emerge. Recently, sensors, information technology and communication equipment have made great progress. The development of big data applications and intelligent control technologies is the next generation target of smart plants for water treatment.
■ Current Issue
• Over relying on operator’s experience might cause the performance degradation of subsequent treatment unit and higher cost if the influent water quality changes and the system cannot respond immediately
• The lack of filed operators is also a major concern for the operation depending human experience
• Water quality monitoring is mainly focused on monitoring and local data collection. The data is barely reused
▣ Intelligent Modules and Technology application Status
Intelligent development trend includes cloud platforms, big data collection and analysis, and the Internet of Things (IoT), and intelligent processing. The process includes:
1. Database construction and data collection (sensor installation, data transmission, cloud security)
2. Visualized dashboard establishment
3. Intelligent computing software development (coagulation module, biological unit, reclaimed water module, etc.)
4. Through intelligent control, the goals of man-machine cooperation, risk reduction, and operation cost reduction will be achieve
So far, the item 1. and 2. are relatively completed, and the item 3. and 4. are under development.
▣ IoT process for high-efficiency biogas model field
Efficient Biogas System Improvement
• Learn about high-efficiency biogas system equipment
• Collect information about PLC and on-site sensor
IoT feasibility assessment
• Install IoT system to facilitate data collection
• Install 4G device
Cloud platform establishment
• Data collection
• Establish visualized dashboard
• Establish the inspection dispatch system
▣ Anaerobic ammonium oxidation intelligent process (Total nitrogen removal rate will up to 50% in the stable control of anammox system)
Smart anaerobic ammonium oxidation system
• Automatically control the drainage system according to the flow of water
• Automatic adjustment of dosage according to pH value
• Adjust individual units according to the warnings
Smart aeration system
• Establish the data sheet of tank KLa and influent ammonia nitrogen concentration
• Calculate gas intake and ON/OFF seconds
Cloud platform establishment
• Data collection
• Establish visualized dashboard
• Establish the inspection dispatch system
▣ Development and control of intelligent computing software for coagulation program in water purification plant
Intelligent software
• Combining the results of the jar-test with the data of field operation, the existing data was used as the input parameters of the intelligent software for
coagulation precipitation dosing
• Intelligent software of coagulation precipitation dosing was developed with time series correlation model
• The results were highly correlated, with the estimated dosage reduction of approximately 19%
▣ The blueprint of intelligent coagulation technology process (It can save 10~20% of dosage and 50% of manpower)
Intelligent coagulation sedimentation system and sludge discharge system
• Intelligently control dosage, pH, mixing rate and time, residence time in sedimentation tank according to influent water quality
• Automatic sludge discharge system
• On the premise of water quality requirements, reduce cost and manpower requirements Cloud decision support platform
Material Management System
• Smart material purchase
• Smart reminder for equipment maintenance and calibration
• Material Management Database
Cloud decision support platform
• AI Smart Response
• Early event decision Material Management System
Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI)
Dept. of Water System Development and Application Research (Y400)