Dr. Todd wins Buckminster Fuller Challenge Award

WOODS HOLE, MA -- John Todd Ecological Design, Inc. (JTED) a leader in natural wastewater treatment systems, announced today that its founding principal Dr. John Todd was awarded the first-annual Buckminster Fuller Challenge Award with his submission entitled “Comprehensive Design for a Carbon Neutral World: The Challenge of Appalachia”.

The Buckminster Fuller Institute panel of internationally esteemed advisors/jurors issued a statement praising Dr. Todd’s strategy saying the work “best embodies the bold, visionary approach to large-scale societal transformation pioneered by Buckminster Fuller.”

Dr. Todd invented the Eco-Machine™ for the treatment of sanitary and industrial wastewater with a focus on water reuse and energy efficiency. JTED has designed and installed innovative ecological wastewater treatment systems throughout the world for the past 20 years. Recognized with three merit awards by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Dr. Todd was named among the greatest inventors of the 20th Century by David Brown in his book Inventing Modern America.

Jonathan Todd, President of JTED and Dr. Todd’s son, said the Buckminster Fuller Award is “one of the most meaningful and significant” his father has received. He added, “In the fast-growing ecological systems design world, being chosen to receive this prestigious award gives us all a renewed sense of optimism.”

For additional information on the Buckminster Fuller Institute:
http://www.bfi.org/

John Todd Ecological Design, Inc.:
http://www.toddecological.com/

Innovative Water-Leakage Modeling Software

EXTON, PA -- Bentley Systems, Inc. today announced the latest version of its Darwin Calibrator module featuring water-leakage modeling capabilities. The new version of the module, which is included in WaterGEMS V8 XM and available for WaterCAD V8 XM, provides a cost-effective way to estimate the location and extent of hidden leakage in underground pipes.

The Ontario Sewer and Watermain Construction Association in Canada reported that approximately $1 billion worth of clean drinking water disappears into the ground every year from deteriorated and leaky municipal water pipes. The innovative methodology behind the new Darwin Calibrator was developed by Bentley and United Utilities Water (UUW) PLC.

Commenting on the key benefits of the new Darwin Calibrator technology, Dr. Zheng Yi Wu, Bentley director of applied research in engineering optimization, said, “Existing leak-detection techniques, such as step-testing or acoustic devices, require a lot of apparatus and personnel. As a result, they are very time-consuming and costly. The new leakage-detection feature of Bentley’s enhanced Darwin Calibrator identifies the locations and sizes of the leakage holes, emulated as emitters that allow water to spurt and seep out at different rates depending on prevailing pressure.”

The new version of the Darwin Calibrator was previewed earlier this year by more than 60 water professionals attending Bentley’s Water Loss Seminar and Workshop in Marbella, Spain. At the seminar, Mark Wheeler and Muhamed Hayuti, both of Atkins, the largest engineering consultancy in the United Kingdom, presented benchmark studies on leakage hotspot prediction and water network models conducted in coordination with Paul Sage, modeling development manager for UUW. The studies demonstrated a successful modeling approach for detecting unreported leakage hotspots using WaterGEMS’ leakage-detection capabilities and the newest version of the software’s Darwin Calibrator module.

Commenting on the studies, David Turtle, leakage and demand strategy manager for UUW, said. "We consider the leakage-detection optimization model developed in collaboration with Bentley to be a valuable and important tool in reducing leakage and achieving the annual targets that UUW agreed to with the U.K.’s water-industry regulator, OFWAT. A particular advantage of this technique is its ability to identify hard-to-find leaks.”

To learn more about Bentley’s water-leakage detection and management technology, or to download videos of presentations made at Bentley’s Water Loss Seminar and Workshop in Marbella, Spain, Jan. 28-30, 2008, as well as copies of white papers distributed at the event, visit: http://www.bentley.com/waterloss08

Mesa, AZ -- Researchers Qiang Hu and Milton Sommerfeld from ASU’s Department of Applied Biosciences recently flew to London to share their findings and research on the application of algae-based oils for creating biofuels at the Farnborough International Air Show.

The exhibit was part of a collaboration and ongoing relationship between the researchers and aviation giant Boeing.

While many exhibits showed off the latest improvements on turbines and designs for commercial aircraft and jet fighters, the researchers ended up stealing the show and attracting numerous visitors to their booth.

The star attraction of the Boeing exhibit was a 75-gallon tank of bright green algae.  The tank was, in fact, a bioreactor – a “feeding ground” container that promotes accelerated algae growth. The exhibit was the high note of a one-year relationship between the ASU researchers and Boeing.

The company has committed a $225,000 grant to support ongoing algae research at ASU, and to provide three scholarships for graduate students.

“The experience was very positive, because most shows are too technical for the public,” Hu says. “With the live algae, we can explain to children and families how algae grow, and how we extract the oil and convert it to jet fuel.”

Hu and Sommerfeld were a big hit with children – and they also attracted the attention of aviation business leaders and engineers. The two researchers earned an immediate nod from Boeing to keep a presence at the air show.

“Not many people knew about ASU,” Sommerfeld says. “However, they expressed great interest in the growing algae and the potential it has for production of oil that can be used for transportation fuel, especially since using algae eliminates the problem associated with converting crop foods to fuel.”

The use of algae for multiple applications has several appeals, including:

• Algal oil is very similar to other vegetable oils, but its yield is projected at 100 times that of soybean per acre of land on an annual basis.
• Unlike other plants, algae reproduce quickly without roots and stems, and they never go dormant.
• Algae can remove carbon dioxide from power plant emissions and recover nutrients from wastewater.

According to Hu, the technology to help algae reproduce effectively is still five years away.  “The critical issue is the biomass feedstock, not oil conversion,” Hu says. “To bring the cost down we need much more breakthroughs and innovations. Bioreactors are expensive at this stage. We need a cost-efficient way to sustain high growth.”

Once algae reach a critical mass, traditional methods can be used to extract oil from the plants. In turn, these oils can be refined into gasoline, biopolymers and jet fuel.  So what’s next in the process of making jet fuel from algae?

“Our effort will be geared to developing a pilot-scale facility that will enable us to integrate various components of oil production and evaluate the economics of the process,” Sommerfeld says. “Since ASU is a leader in developing approaches to sustainability, it could, for example, incorporate the use of algae-produced biofuels on some of its vehicles over the next several years as our production increases.”

Hu and Sommerfeld are the co-directors of the Laboratory for Algae Research & Biotechnology (LARB) at the Polytechnic campus.  The duo has been able to take their combined 40-plus years of research with algae and apply it to use in air and water remediation, alternative fuels and animal feed. Considered a nuisance by many, algae have the potential to someday become an environmentally sound substitute for crude oil.

Source: http://www.asu.edu/

. AquaSensors acquired by Thermo Fisher Scientific Effective immediately, AquaSensors will be integrated into Thermo Fisher’s Water Analysis Instruments business.

Zetasizer Nano for optimizing Water Treatment
It is being used to monitor the zeta potential of raw water in order to optimize the concentration of alum added.
 

China’s First Chicken Manure, Biogas Plant Cogeneration project reduces emissions while producing economic benefits and helping reduce suburban electricity shortage.

Click here to visit the News Center...

 Featured Videos

Share your videos with everyone - promote your plant, your product and your company, free.   Industry-related videos have been watched over 350,000+ times in our Video Center.

People post their requests for help and offer their suggestions to others in our open forum.

Mr. Cajegas wants help with chelating agents:

Does anybody know a chelating agent that works best in wastewater treatment? Or a metal precipitant in wastewater?

A wastewater that contains Fe, Pb, Cu, Ni, Zn, Mn and etc. What chelating agent that would be?    (Click here to post a reply)

Thanks
Aezer Cajegas
EHS Bioproducts
aezercajegas@yahoo.com

Nasir wants with piping and valves on aeration tank:

How usually are air blowers connected to an above ground, open to atmosphere, aeration tank?

At present, our main blower pipe is connected from the tank bottom outside through a valve. Due to high temperature and vibration, we suffer leakage from the valve side when the blowers are off.

I am thinking to drain out the tanks and connect the main air feed pipe from inside the tank using flexible pipe. Could you please advise me in this?   (Click here to post a reply)

Thank you,
Nasir
elpasha252002@yahoo.com

Help Forum:  Share your expertise with others in our Help Forum.

i

i

Plant Operator Wanted - Denver, CO

ABOUT US
Come join our operations team at the nationally recognized, largest (160 MGD) wastewater treatment facility between the Mississippi River and the west coast! We process most of the wastewater for the Denver Metro area, located on a 175 acre site in north Denver. Our employees are diverse and loyal with our average tenure 13+ years, and our annual employee turnover less than half the national average.

THE OPPORTUNITY
Duties include controlling and monitoring mechanical devices designed to process wastewater liquid & solids either manually or through use of process control computer. Treatment processes include screening, grit collection, primary clarification, waste activated sludge secondary treatment, anaerobic sludge digestion, sludge dewatering, cogeneration, chlorination and dechlorination facilities.

TYPICAL DUTIES
• Controls and monitors, both manually and through the use of a process control computer, mechanical devices designed to process wastewater and wastewater solids.
• Monitors, both manually and through the use of a process control computer, unit process variables and initiates changes as determined through calculations, test procedures and independent judgment in order to achieve operational goals.
• Provides minor mechanical maintenance, adjustment and inspection to equipment as directed and assists in providing a neat and orderly work area.
• Operates analog control systems.
• Performs computer system diagnostics and data processing functions.
• Assists Supervisor in training new Plant Operators.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Must have appropriate and valid Colorado licenses and certification required to operate vehicles and equipment. Must have mechanical aptitude, ability to interpret charts and flow diagrams, and ability to do mathematics using decimals and fractions. Upon entry, must have State of Colorado “D” certification in wastewater treatment operations. Within three years must attain, and thereafter maintain, State of Colorado "C" certification in wastewater treatment plant operations. Graduation from high school or equivalent combination of education and/or experience. Must have valid Colorado driver's license, and good driving record.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education in wastewater technology and higher level wastewater certification desired.

BENEFITS
Outstanding benefits including generous pension benefits, voluntary deferred compensation plan, medical/dental/life/AD&D insurances, reimbursed health/fitness & educational assistance programs and more. Flexible scheduling including four 10-hour day work week.

TO APPLY
Please specify job title Plant Operator. Visit our web site at www.metrowastewater.com or send resume with salary history/requirements to Metro Wastewater Reclamation District, 6450 York Street, Denver, CO 80229. Job Line 303-286-3011.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER, Non smoking Facility, Drug Screening, MVR, & Criminal Background Check Required of Finalists

The Job Fair:  A free service of Water and Wastewater.com.  You can post job opening for managers, engineers, sales, reps or other talented people you need. ...Or one can post their resume for companies who are looking to add talented people to their staff.

Do you have a position you need to fill?  Visit the Job Fair.

© 1999-2008 Water and Wastewater.com
Home page:  http://www.waterandwastewater.com

Joseph Taylor, Editor
Water and Wastewater Newsletter
3948 South Third Street, No. 121
Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250

Phone: 904-280-4656
Fax: 904-273-1399

Email:  jtaylor@waterandwastewater.com

Water and Wastewater Newsletter is a 100% opt-in e-mail list of information for the water and wastewater treatment professional.  Do you have company news, a new product, new service or other information you would like to share with our subscribers?  Please submit articles via e-mail, only to:  news@waterandwastewater.com

Jet fuel from wastewater, talk about degrees of separation, read on!

With over 10,000+ subscribers, our goal is to provide information to improve your business by using the resources available on the Internet.

Thanks, 
Joe Taylor, Editor
jtaylor@waterandwastewater.com

• Homepage

• Buyers Guide
  & Industry Directory

• Video Center

• Water & Wastewater Plant Directory

• The News Center

• Help Forum

• Water and Wastewater Blog

• Job Fair

• Ask Tom! Column

• Banner Advertising

• Newsletter Archive

Fuel Cells: From Fundamentals
to Applications
by S. Srinivasan Hardback,
692 pages, 2006

.

Water Works Engineering Planning Design and Operations
by Syed R. Qasim, et al.
Hardcover, 844 page, May 2000

.

Wastewater Engineering:
Treatment & Reuse
by George Tchobanoglous, Metcalf & Eddy, et al, Hardcover, 1848 pages

.

How can you reach the world's top water and wastewater executives, engineers, managers and service personnel? By placing a banner ad on the industry's most popular web site.

Water and Wastewater.com is your strategic link to the precise audience interested in your products and services. Both nationally and internationally. Rates are reasonable - and results are more than satisfying!

Get your rate card now!  Email us at rates@waterandwastewater.com

Click here for
Advertising Opportunities

This weeks photo is of JWCE's Channel Monster in action. The Channel Monster’s rugged design achieves a higher capture rate of solids prior to grinding, leading to better protection of downstream equipment and minimizing long term maintenance costs.

Photo courtesy of Alec Mackie of JWC Environmental.

Send us your photos:  We would love to have your photo of a water or wastewater treatment "action shot" for inclusion on our home page, free of charge.  Send your photograph and description to:  news@waterandwastewater.com

To subscribe to our newsletter enter your email address and click the "Subscribe Now" button below.