Industrial Water Softener Installed-Before and After Photos

A Delaware cosmetic derivatives manufacturer installed a dual tank industrial water softener to replace their 25 year old zeolite softeners. The transformation of the building and installation of our water softeners by the mechanical contractor was exceptional!

BEFORE - Existing Softeners During Tearout

AFTER - New Dual Res-Kem Softeners Installed After Building Refurbishment

Water treatment application:	Replacing 25 year old zeolite softeners
Savings and/or ROI the customer wants to achieve	Clean up the zeolite operations and the room where they reside. Automate the regeneration process and the monitoring of the water softeners
Operating conditions:	60-120 gpm boiler make-up
System configuration:	Singe or Dual Parallel operation PLC controlled
Materials of construction:	Since the source water being well water and the room ambient air temperature can be very hot > 95 F, condensation that can form on the tanks, therefore fiberglass tanks were used. Schedule 80 CPVC was used to provide more strength to the system piping Valves were Bray butterfly valves all stainless wetted parts
Threaded or welded:	Glued, Schedule 80 CPVC and flanged unit piping
Type of valves and actuators:	All Bray valve Lug style, 150 ANSI flanges.  Solenoid were mounted directly on each valve to save wiring costs back to panels
Control philosophy:	The plant standardized their automation based upon Rockwell automation, so we provided the regeneration sequence and the necessary P&ID so their in-house PLC programmer.   His panel shop could outfit a local panel and Ethernet connection back to the main powerhouse control room.

10 Questions to Answer Before You Specify Water Treatment Equipment

Many times per day, we are asked to provide a quote for a specific water treatment technology like RO, demineralization, water softening, filtration, etc.  At Res-Kem,  we like to take a step back and help you determine what equipment will cost effectively handle your water treatment issue.  Since there are so many choices and combinations of water treatment technologies, we will ask:

1. What are the average, minimum, and peak flow rates you need from the water treatment system?
2. Is the flow continuous or how many shifts do you operate during the day?
3. Do you have or plan to have a tank after the water treatment system?
4. What is the source of your water and do you have an untreated water analysis?
5. What is the water used for and do you have a treated water specification?
6. What are the required temperature and pressure of the treated water?
7. What level of automation do you need, i.e. manual, semi-automatic or fully automatic?
8. Are there any special requirements for the system?
9. When do you need the quotation by?
10. When do you need the system to be installed?

With these questions answered, we can offer a properly sized, cost effective solution to your water treatment problem with minimal maintenance.  

Additional Information:
Online water treatment equipment catalog
Printable questionnaire
For technical questions

Siemens Selling Water Treatment Business

The big news in the water treatment industry for this past week has been Siemens' announcement to sell the water treatment equipment and water systems service business.  Bloomberg announcement states that the Siemens Water Technologies division includes wastewater, municipal and industrial water purification services and membrane filtration systems.  Most of these technologies were parts of the former US Filter Corporation acquired by Siemens in 2004 from Veolia Environnement for $993 million.  

According to a statement by Siegfried Russwurm, member of the Siemens AG Managing Board and CEO of the Industry Sector, "This business shows only minor synergies with our industrial portfolio, as the skills for water treatment are primarily based on chemical expertise. Instead of investing into that business, we want to gear our resources toward our core portfolio."

In related news, Kemira Oyj, Europe’s largest supplier of chemicals to treat water, will not be bidding for the water business of Siemens AG.

400 gpm Multi-Media Filters Shipped to Brewery in Pennsylvania

Res-Kem shipped a dual alternating multi-media to a brewery in northeastern Pennsylvania.  The each multi-media vessel has a design flow rate of 400 gpm and a peak flow rate of 510 gpm.  The system filters all the municipal water entering the plant for all applications including brewing.   



Dual 84" Diameter Multi-Media Filters

Design Features:

• Two 84" diameter ASME code vessels rated at 100 psig.  The internal coating is an FDA epoxy
• Aquamatic diaphragm are used
• External piping is Schedule 80 black iron pipe
• Each filter is controlled using an Aquamatic 948 controller which backwashes on a time basis

Closeup of Multi-Media Filter Before Shipment

For additonal information:

Res-Kem's Multi-Media Filter System Bulletin
Res-Kem's Complete Media Filtration Product Line
Need technical assistance and/or system pricing?

Three Duplex 80 gpm Multi-Media Filters Ready for Shipment

Res-Kem is has delivered 20 of the 40 customized, duplex multi-media filters for mobile enhanced oil recovery trailers. The Res-Kem multi-media filters are sized to continuously produce 80 gpm of water to downstream equipment including steam generators.  The trailers generate steam which is injected into wells to recover more oil. The system started out as one of our customizable standard duplex multi-media filters.

Three Duplex Multi-Media Filters Being Prepared for Shipment

We added the following features to meet the customer's requirements:

• UV resistant tank coating for enhanced tank life
• Welded Schedule 10 stainless steel face piping for corrosion resistance
• Skid mounting on stainless steel frame
• Custom configured inlet and outlet piping locations to minimze piping between  other equipment on trailer
• Bray butterfly valves with position indicators and limit switches
• All valve solenoids and limit switches are wired to a single NEMA 4X stainless steel box to be interfaced with PLC which will control all equipment on the trailer
• Resin trap on the product line of each filter to protect downstream equipment

For additonal information:

Res-Kem's Multi-Media Filter System Bulletin
Res-Kem's Complete Filtration Product Line
Res-Kem's other industrial water treatment equipment
For technical assistance and system pricing

Q&A on Condensate Polishers with Res-Kem’s Kevin Preising

While dirty condensate clean-up can be an energy buster in most processing plants, one cost effective solution is to polish contaminated condensate for re-use. Condensate polishers use a simple ion exchange technology that is easy to operate, easy to maintain and economical to use – less make-up water is required which leads to lower chemical and energy consumption.

Here is a brief Q&A video with Res-Kem’s Process Engineer Kevin Preising that addresses some of the most common questions about Condensate Polishers. Kevin touches on the following points:
• The difference between sodium condensate polishers and water softeners
• The life expectancy of a condensate polisher
• What plant utility services are required for condensate polishers
• Why a sub-surface wash is important
• The advantage of using a sample cooler
• The type of instruments on a condensate polisher

Watch it now!

New Two Bed Demineralizer Technical Bulletins

Res-Kem has a complete 2-Bed demineralizer product line designed for industrial water production.  The standard tank sizes range from 18" to 96". 

Two-Bed Demineralizer with
PVC Tank Coating and PVC Face Piping

These two-bed deionizers are designed for fully or semi-automatic production of water with a conductivity of less than 10 micro-ohms and feature:  

• Flow rates from 10 - 220 gpm and capacities from 140,000 - 2,200,000 grains.
• Strong acid 8% crosslinked cation and type 2 strong base anion resins as the standard, with other resins available as an option.
• Microprocessor based control system with conductivity monitor and flow sensor for regeneration initiation.
• Electrical enclosures are NEMA 4XFG corrosion resistant fiberglass, which reduces maintenance costs.
• PVC coated steel vessels depending on size and customer requirements.
• Optional ASME code vessels.
• Factory assembled and skid mounted for quick installation and minimum startup cost.
• Schedule 80 PVC piping package including air operated true union ball valves are standard. Air or electric actuated ball or butterfly valves are available as an option.
• Pressure regulators, rotameters and metering valves supplied for accurate and safe control of regeneration water and chemical introduction.
• Internal distributors are corrosion resistant, designed for optimum efficiency and are fully supported where required.

Technical Bulletins:
The following are the standard system sizes available from Res-Kem:

DI18072	Dual 18-inch diameter demineralizer system
DI24072	Dual 24-inch diameter system
DI30072	Dual 30-inch diameter system
DI36072	Dual 36-inch diameter system
DI42072	Dual 42-inch diameter system
DI48072	Dual 48-inch diameter system
DI54072	Dual 54-inch diameter system
DI60072	Dual 60-inch diameter system
DI66072	Dual 66-inch diameter system
DI72072	Dual 72-inch diameter system
DI78072	Dual 78-inch diameter system
DI84072	Dual 84-inch diameter system
DI90072	Dual 90-inch diameter system
DI96072	Dual 96-inch diameter system

For further information, please contact Res-Kem or call 800-323-1983.

300 gpm Industrial Water Softener Shipped to a Virginia University

I nearly missed taking photos of a very nice looking quadruple tank industrial water softener that recently left our plant. As you can see, the system is being prepared for shipment and only two of the four tanks were available in this photo.

System Details:
The system has four 30" water softener vessels commonly called "mineral tanks". Each tank is rated for 75 gpm. The tanks are ASME code carbon steel tanks with a design pressure rating 100 psig.

Given the customizable standard designs we have for all of our water softening equipment and all of our industrial water treatment equipment, Res-Kem was able to accommodate the customer's request for carbon steel tanks with 304L stainless steel face piping. Bray series 21 butterfly valves with stainless steel body, 316 SS disc & stem, Teflon lined EPDM seat. Each of the automated valves were equipped with Bray series 70 electric actuators, two SPDT limit switches and a manual override handle.


The internals of the tanks use stainless steel hubs and stainless steel wedgewire laterals for long life.

The water softener system is being readied for shipment to our customer.


While our standard design uses the AquaMatic 962 controller, we offer as an option an Allen Bradley PLC. This system uses the Allen Bradley MicroLogix PLC with Panelview 600 operator interface terminal mounted in a NEMA 4X fiberglass enclosure was used to control the system.

Please contact us for further information on how to size a water softener for you requirements.

Economics of Condensate Polishing

On August 25, 2010, Res-Kem's Kevin Preising will make a presentation entitled "Reuse It – Don’t Lose It! The Economics of Condensate Polishing" as part of the Industrial Processing on line tradeshow presented by GlobalSpec.

Abstract of Presentation:
In today's environment of economic pressure and high energy costs, engineers are constantly asked to do more with less. A condensate polisher helps meet this challenge.

Condensate Polishers:

• Save energy by reclaiming heat normally sent to drain


• Save water by reducing boiler blow down


• Reduce water treatment chemical usage.
  
  This presentation will use real world examples to show how condensate polishing reduces fuel consumption and minimizes water side fouling in medium- and low-pressure steam plants typical of the food, beverage, and chemical process industries. A follow-up Q&A will address technical aspects of condensate polishing set-up, operation, and maintenance.
  
  Key Take-Aways:


• Understand how a condensate polisher and water softener compare


• Learn how to justify the expenditure of a condensate polisher to save energy, water, and chemicals


• Know where to add a condensate polisher to treat your steam condensate


• The ROI of a condensate polisher is less than 10 months!

Kevin's presentation will take place from 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM EDT (12:30 PM - 1:30 PM PDT)

Click here to register for the event.

Industrial Water Softener Skid-Mounted Shipped

I try to keep up with our shipments, but with all the systems going out recently, I missed posting this dual tank industrial water softener out about two weeks ago.
The system is a dual tank alternating, skid mounted, water softener, including interconnecting piping and isolation valves. GE Aquamatic composite diaphragm valves are used for system automation. A GE Aquamatic 962 series controller opens and closes the Aquamatic valves during regeneration. The tanks are epoxy lined carbon steel with an epoxy exterior and 100 psi ASME code. Face piping consists of Schedule 80 PVC pipe and fittings. Regeneration initiated by either gallon throughput or timeclock.

Online Catalog for Water Treatment Equipment

Now, when you visit www.reskem.com, you can quickly compare features of over 380 standard pieces of Res-Kem's water treatment equipment, evaluate our system options, download product brochures and request a quote using our online catalog. Res-Kem added this online catalog to our website to maintain our 1# rating for responsiveness.

Currently, the catalog is only accessible through http://catalog.reskem.com. Over the next few weeks we will be making changes to most every page to fully integrate the catalog into our site. You will be able to view the entire catalog structure through the sitemap.

Also, list pricing and online purchasing will be available for water system replacement parts by the end of June 2010.

Tiny Particles Fight Giant Water Problem

Many of you may have heard of the chemicals that are in our drinking water including drugs, antibiotics, and other very small and difficult to remove chemicals. These can cause health effects at very low levels. Some disrupt the hormone systems of humans and wildlife, posing threats to fetal development and young children. Sources include birth control pills, prescription drugs, antibiotics, cosmetics and fragrances. People take the drugs and excrete them in urine.

In the online article "Pollutant-Fighting Particles Purify Water" in Lab News Daily by Laboratory Equipment, it briefly describes the continuing R&D project by two Charlton University professors to bring this technology to municipal and industrial waste water treatment plants. It will be interesting to see how they plan on removing the particles from the treated waste water in a cost-effective manner.

Deionizer/Demineralizer System with Packaged Design Introduced

Res-Kem recently introduced packaged DI Water Systems for Commercial and Light Industrial applications. The OHM-TECH Series two-bed deionizers for commercial and light industrial applications are designed for semi-automatic production of water with a conductivity of less than 10 micro-ohms and feature:

• Flow rates from 1 - 40 gpm
• Ion exchange Capacities from 9,000 - 90,000 grains.
• Strong acid cation and type 1 strong base anion resins.
• Microprocessor based control system with conductivity monitor and flow sensor for regeneration initiation.
• Corrosion resistant fiberglass electrical enclosures which reduces maintenance costs.
• Resin vessels are polyethylene-lined fiberglass.
• ASME code vessels.
• Factory assembly and skid mounting for quick installation and minimum startup cost.
• Schedule 80 PVC piping package using a multi-function hydraulically operated composite valve.
• Metering valves for accurate and safe control of regeneration water and chemical introduction.
• Internal distributors are corrosion resistant, designed for optimum efficiency.

These following facilities are examples of ideal applications for Res-Kem's demineralizer and deionizer (DI) equipment:

• Food and Beverage Processing Plants
• Power plants
• Chemical plants
• Pharmaceutical Plants
• High pressure boiler feedwater
• Manufacturing Plants
• Laboratories
• Autoclaves
• Steam Generators
• Electronic Products
• Medical Device Production
• Alloy Metal Fabrication
• Aerospace
• Humidification Systems
• Metal Treating
• Plating
• Printed Circuit Boards

Industrial Water Treatment at WQA-Aquatech Conference and Exhibition

March 17th through 21st the annual WQA Aquatech Trade show was held in Chicago. The WQA is now including industrial and commercial vendors and products in the mix. This year there were a couple of new products introduced that were of interest to us here at Res-Kem. While at the show I had the opportunity to attend some of the educational sessions as well as give one. Many of the topics were "industrial" in nature.

An area I am particularly interested in is employee training and I was part of a panel that discussed this topic. Regardless of the type of company you run - residential dealership, industrial service company or manufacturer, an important part of the job is employee training. Large companies have entire departments dedicated to training. Smaller companies can and need to compete to keep good employees and maintain good morale.

Here are a couple ideas you might be able to use.

Tap your vendors
Invite your vendors in for a lunch and learn. The vendor brings the pizza and the topic you supply the audience.

Contact your local community college
Your community college will know if there are grants available for worker education. At Res-Kem, I was able to offer an electrical course in my office that ran 20 weeks for engineers and service technicians. I completed a one page application, the community college did the rest.

Use the WQA Certified Water Specialist program
Smaller independent companies don't necessarily have the framework to educate the work force. Using the WQA Certified Water Specialist (CWS) format gives you just that. Rather just giving my people the book and telling them to study, I hold a weekly class to go over each topic. I cover the book work so they can pass the test, but I tailor it to our business. We are not a residential dealership so many of the examples do not apply. Nevertheless, that doesn't stop me from taking real world problems and addressing them within the context of the Certified Water Specialist program. At the end of the course I have the test administered and proctored at the local community college.

FYI, the WQA-Aquatech 2010 Conference and Exhibition will be held March 9 - 12, 2010 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida