Adhering to strict regulations and delivering water that is safe for human consumption, reliable and cost effective is crucial in the water treatment industry. According to the World Health Organization, contaminated drinking water causes 485,000 diarrheal deaths every year. Contaminated water can transmit diseases such diarrhoea, cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and polio. However, the UK’s water is one of the safest and purest supplies of water in the world. Water quality varies by region but chlorine and dissolved minerals are almost certain to be found in your water supply, it must be fit for human consumption by law and is tested daily to keep up with regulations. Delivering a safe and reliable source of the highest quality drinking water using the most advanced solutions is vital in this industry. As stated on direct gov 99.97% of water samples in England and Wales met the Drinking Water Inspectorate’s standards in 2013.
There are a number of processes that the water treatment industry use. Coagulation and flocculation are often the first steps in water treatment. Chemicals with a positive charge are added to the water. The positive charge of these chemicals neutralises the negative charge of dirt and other dissolved particles in the water. When this occurs, the particles bind with the chemicals and form larger particles, called floc. To separate the floc from the water, it is allowed to settle and fall to the bottom of the water during the sedimentation process. The clear water is then passed through various filtration compositions and sizes to remove any remaining dissolved particles. Finally, the water is disinfected with further chemicals, such as chlorine, to kill any bacteria and protect the water as it is piped to homes and businesses.
The chemicals used during the water treatment process pass through metering equipment in a dosing system. In the system, the solution is at its strongest and the chemicals are often corrosive and can be flammable. The plant room or dosing cabinet needs to be ventilated to prevent a harmful build-up of chemicals in the air around the equipment. Plant room and cabinets can be vented directly to the outside air or, more commonly, through an air filtration system. A filtration system is the more environmentally friendly option as it helps keep the air surrounding the water treatment site clear of harmful chemicals.
Choosing the right equipment for a water treatment plant will depend on the properties of the water and the concentration of any contaminants present. It is important when considering new equipment that suppliers are aware of the size and nature of the water supply. Our industrial team have the knowledge and experience to help you in selecting the right fan to suit your specification. The corrosive nature of the air to be extracted means that standard metal fans would be adversely affected and not withstand the environment for long, therefore, fans made from polypropylene are needed in this application. Axair Fan’s ‘Storm’ range of polypropylene fans are best suited to this application as they are designed to perform in the corrosive air, providing a relatively low air flow rate against elevated system pressures.
Our polypropylene fans extract emitted toxic gases and vapours so they cannot spread in the atmosphere. This ensures a non-hazardous environment for staff and the protection of operational machinery. They are best suited for the water treatment industry due to them having a high corrosive resistance. Polypropylene fans are the most cost effective choice and have the ability to withstand harsh environments for a long period of time unlike certain metals that would show signs of corrosion fairly quickly in such environments.
S Range Corrosion Resistant Fan
ST Range Corrosion Resistant FanATEX rated versions are also available on request for circumstances where the chemicals in use create the potential for explosions due to their flammable nature.
Axair Fans has been associated with fans for various applications within the water treatment industry for many years and supply products to a number of industry leaders involved in the build and installation of chemical dosing equipment. A full range of accessories are available including weather protecting pedestals, energy efficient speed controllers to match fan performance to the application requirements, anti-vibration mounts and flexible connectors.
For more information or a specification for a fume extraction application, contact us on 01782 349 430 or email [email protected].
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