Wastewater Treatment Facilities May Play Important Role in Tracking Coronavirus

covid-19 and wastewater treatment

New studies show that SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19, is shed in human feces and is collecting in our city sewers.  If the pandemic continues in waves as the latest estimates believe, wastewater treatment plants could provide early warnings to prevent ICUs and hospitals from being swarmed.

Environmental microbiologists have studied pathogens in sewage for decades. In 1989, Israel set up a Polio virus sewage surveillance system. The use of sewage pathogen monitoring in wastewater treatment facilities as a public health surveillance tool, however, is a fairly new area of study.

Biobot, Somerville, MA company who specializes in wastewater epidemiology, is establishing protocols to test sewage for SARS-CoV-2. If successful, this data will give communities a dynamic map of the virus as it spreads to new places.

Data from sewage will enable communities to:

  • Measure the scope of the outbreak independent from patient testing or hospital reporting, and include data on asymptomatic individuals,
  • Provide decision support for officials determining the timing and severity of public health interventions to mitigate the overall spread of the disease,
  • Better anticipate likely impact on hospital capacity in order to inform hospital readiness and the necessity of public health interventions,
  • Track the effectiveness of interventions and measure the wind-down period of the outbreak, and
  • Provide an early warning for reemergence of the coronavirus (if it does indeed have a seasonal cycle).

It needs to be mentioned that experts believe, based on previous coronavirus research, that SARS-COVID-2 is effectively removed through traditional water treatment processes. The focus on these public health surveillance efforts track virus levels prior to treatment.

Wastewater treatment facilities interested in participating should visit this site - https://www.biobot.io/covid19.

Other useful links about the effort to use wastewater for SARS-CoV-2 tracking:
https://news.stanford.edu/2020/03/26/understanding-spread-covid-19/
https://news.engin.umich.edu/2020/03/a-sewage-surveillance-effort-to-track-covid-19/

Yokogawa Boiler Controls Used on USNS Mercy


On the United States Navy Hospital Ship Mercy, Yokogawa's Indicating Controllers are used to control two Foster Wheeler boilers supplying steam to 2 GE turbines to generate 18.3 MW of power.

Miller Energy, Inc.
https://millerenergy.com

The Magnetrol Eclipse 700 Guided Wave Radar (GWR) Transmitter


The Magnetrol Eclipse® Model 700 GWR is designed with the chemical processing industry in mind. It gives you the performance and durability you need to address your biggest challenges in a streamlined, versatile configuration cost-effective enough to use in a variety of common applications.

The Eclipse® 700 is a guided wave radar (GWR) transmitter that easily handles challenging situations as well as common chemical processing applications. Its streamlined configuration gives you the features you want and the diagnostics you need, at the price point you expect.

Versatile – Able to be used in a broad range of chemical processing applications

Robust – Stands up to challenging conditions like foaming, interface, and high pressure or harsh conditions

Superior SNR – Strong signal strength is ideal for low dielectric media

Reliable – True Level Measure provides industry-leading accuracy along the entire probe length

Overfill-Safe Operation – Only Eclipse transmitters are available with overfill-capable probes

Proactive Diagnostics – Saves echo curves and offers troubleshooting tips when a problem occurs

For more information, contact Miller Energy, Inc. Call them at 800-631-5454 or visit their website at https://millerenergy.com.

Upcoming Yokogawa "Back to Basics" Process Control Webinar Series

Now is the time to use your time productively!  Yokogawa's "Back to Basics" webinar series provides you a great resource to learn and review different measurement technologies. These online webinars discuss recommended practices, application selection and sizing, and how to avoid common pitfalls. Gain insight directly from the experts!


Yokogawa Back to Basics Series:




"Attaining Proficiency in Industrial Pressure Measurement "

Online Webinar
Thursday, April 9, 2020
11:00 AM Eastern / 8:00 AM Pacific

This webinar reviews the basic principles of measuring pressure and key considerations when selecting pressure transmitters for various applications.

This webinar will discuss:
  • The basic physics of pressure
  • Types of pressure sensors
  • Communication standards
  • Sensor technology considerations
  • Calibration and maintenance best practices



"Fundamentals of Fabulous Flow Measurement"

Online Webinar
Thursday, April 16, 2020
11:00 AM Eastern / 8:00 AM Pacific

This webinar will explore the fundamentals of flow measurement technologies and how they stack up in different applications.

In this webinar you:
  • Review the theory behind flow measurement technologies
  • Discuss common flow application challenges
  • Evaluate the different technologies when selecting a flow meter
  • Illustrate installation practices for successful measurements



"Magical Mystery Tour of High Purity pH Measurement"

Online Webinar
Thursday, April 23rd, 2020
8:00 AM Pacific / 11:00 AM Eastern

The presentation will explore the theory of pH and how it can be successfully applied in high purity applications, discuss both standard and solution temperature compensation, review installation requirements, and illustrate good calibration and maintenance procedures to facilitate satisfactory measurements.

In this webinar we:
  • Review the theory behind the measurement of pH
  • Discuss the issues surrounding high purity pH measurements
  • Illustrate the difference between standard and solution temperature compensation
  • Assess installation requirements for successful measurements
  • Clarify good calibration and maintenance procedures



"Vibrating Element Technology for Gas Density, Specific Gravity, and Hydrogen"

Online Webinar
Thursday, April 30, 2020
8:00 AM Pacific / 11:00 AM Eastern

This presentation goes over the theory behind vibrating element technology and explores some of the applications in which it can be used.

In this webinar you will review:
  • The theory behind density and vibrating element technology
  • The importance of using compensated density
  • How to clean the detector


"Digitally Transform your Plant with Field Wireless and IIOT"

Online Webinar
Thursday, May 7, 2020
11:00 AM Eastern / 8:00 AM Pacific

Wireless sensor networks can provide reliable and secure communications for applications including control, monitoring, safety, and reliability. Regardless of the application, wireless technology has opened the door for companies to pursue improvements that may have been impossible or uneconomical in the past. However, adopting a wireless strategy is more than just throwing a few radios out into the plant. A little planning can go a long way to ensure your future success.

Topics covered include:
  • Where you would use Field Wireless vs IIoT
  • The fundamentals of wireless sensor networks
  • Applications that illustrate how a wireless strategy can transform your operations, improve reliability, and increase safety



White Paper: Using Digital MFC Capabilities to Improve Bioprocessing Results Miller Energy

Biomanufacturing relies on numerous pieces of equipment working in concert to produce life-altering therapeutics. The equipment relies on various subsystems to achieve the desired results. In a bioreactor, one of the most essential subsystems provides gas management for the gases necessary for cellular metabolism. At the heart of the gas management subsystem is the thermal mass flow controller (MFC), a component that precisely measures and controls the delivery of gases to the bioprocess.

This white paper, courtesy of Brooks Instrument, discusses mass flow controller data capabilities in relation to a broader biomanufacturing capital asset management.


For more information on Brooks Instrument products, contact Miller Energy. Call them at 800-631-5454 or visit their website at https://millerenergy.com.

Programming the UE One Series Hybrid Transmitter-Switches


The United Electric Controls One Series electronic pressure and temperature transmitter-switches are designed to provide transmitter, switch and gauge functions all-in-one rugged enclosure that can withstand the rigors of harsh and hazardous environments. Available in Type 4X enclosures approved for intrinsic safety, flameproof and non-incendive area classifications, these hybrid transmitter-switches have a fully adjustable set point and deadband and 0.1% repeatability. This video provides a quick tutorial on how to set up the One Series.

For more information, contact Miller Energy. Call them at 800-631-5454 or visit their web site at https://millerenergy.com.