Use of programmable logic controllers to automate control and monitoring of U. S. Army waste-water treatment systems. Final technical report

Technical Report · Mon Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1991

OSTI ID:5935158

Kim, B J; Alleman, J E; Gee, C S; Bandy, J T

Although Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) have been successfully used at municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), the Army has not yet automated its WWTPs by using this relatively simple, low-cost, available technology. PLCs are widely used in environmental engineering facilities and in applications with control requirements similar to water/wastewater operations to: (1) reduce manhours dedicated to repetitive operational monitoring tasks, (2) ensure operational and equipment safety, and (3) monitor and reduce facility chemical and energy costs. Benefits of PLCs include: (1) Off-the-shelf availability; (2) Low-cost procurement, installation, and repair; (3) Small physical size; (4) Simplified programming and troubleshooting; (5) Standalone or networked operation; and (6) Multiple sensor monitoring. This report summarizes the concepts underlying PLC use in WWTPs, outlines successful applications of PLC technology in commercial WWTPs, and details specific operations in military WWTPs that may benefit from PLC implementation.

• Research Organization: Army Construction Engineering Research Lab., Champaign, IL (United States)
• OSTI ID: 5935158
• Report Number(s): AD-A-241372/2/XAB; CERL-TR-N--91/27
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540320* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
COMPUTER CODES
CONTROL
EFFICIENCY
ENGINEERING
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
LIQUID WASTES
MILITARY FACILITIES
MONITORING
OPERATION
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION CONTROL
WASTE PROCESSING PLANTS
WASTE WATER
WASTES
WATER
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL