Articles
Upgrade Of Safety And Cost-Effectiveness: Montreal Replaces Disinfection Systems At City's Two Largest Plants
June 16, 2009
The city of Montreal is replacing its chlorine gas disinfection systems with eleven OSEC B-Pak sodium hypochlorite generation systems from Siemens Water Technologies at two of the city's largest water treatment plants (WTPs) – Atwater and Charles J. Des Baillets. A local consortium comprised of Filtrum Inc. and Siemens will provide the design, supply, installation, commissioning, and training of the multi-million dollar OSEC systems, which mark the largest such installations in Canada. These systems will help the city comply with new stringent government regulations for drinking water quality.
Combined, the plants treat roughly 2.4 million m3 (634 million gallons) per day and serve approximately 1.6 million residents. These plant optimizations are part of a multi-billion dollar project that includes the update of all WTPs as well as the distribution system on the Island of Montreal.
Five OSEC B-Pak systems will be installed at the Des Baillets WTP for a capacity of 140 kg/hr (7,500 ppd); six others will be installed at the Atwater plant for a capacity of 168 kg/hr (9,000 ppd). The systems at the Des Baillets plant are expected to be operational next year; those at the Atwater plant, in 2012.
By producing hypochlorite on site and on demand, the OSEC system eliminates concerns associated with transportation and storage of liquefied chlorine gas or commercial sodium hypochlorite solutions, making it ideal for any application requiring chlorination. And contrary to high-strength commercial sodium hypochlorite solutions, the low concentration of the hypochlorite solution generated by the OSEC B-Pak system minimizes corrosion and degradation. In addition, extensive safety measures are taken in disposing of hydrogen — the system's only byproduct. Neither special safety equipment nor clothing associated with usage of chlorine gas is needed, nor does a costly Risk Management Plan need to be implemented and maintained.
The small footprint OSEC B-Pak skid system is a fully automated, pre-packaged on-site hypochlorite generation system designed for fast and economical installation, safe operation and easy maintenance. Skids are shipped completely piped, wired and tested. The OSEC system generates a 0.8% sodium hypochlorite solution through the electrolysis of brine, consuming only water, salt and electricity. The system also ensures accurate and reliable brine measurement for high efficiencies.
The city of Montreal worked with consultant Consortium SNC-Lavlin/Dessau-Soprin (Montreal), contractor Filtrum Inc. (Quebec City), and equipment manufacturer Siemens Water Technologies on the project. The city ultimately selected Siemens' OSEC B-Pak systems over similar competitive technology for their safety and cost-effectiveness.
During the past six decades, the city of Montreal and Siemens have worked together on a number of projects. For example, Wallace & Tiernan gas chlorination and analytical equipment are installed at both the Atwater and Charles J. Des Baillets plants. Similar equipment, as well as Wallace & Tiernan metering pumps and dry feeders, is also installed at other Montreal plants.
Further information about solutions for water treatment is available at http://www.siemens.com/water
OSEC and Wallace & Tiernan are registered trademarks of Siemens and/or its affiliates in most countries.
The Siemens Industry Sector (Erlangen, Germany) is the world's leading supplier of production, transportation, building and lighting technologies. With integrated automation technologies as well as comprehensive industry-specific solutions, Siemens increases the productivity, efficiency and flexibility of its customers in the fields of industry and infrastructure. The Sector consists of six Divisions: Building Technologies, Drive Technologies, Industry Automation, Industry Solutions, Mobility and Osram. With around 222,000 employees worldwide Siemens Industry posted in fiscal year 2008 a profit of EUR3.86 billion with revenues totaling EUR38 billion. For more information, visit: www.siemens.com/industry.
With the business activities of Siemens VAI Metal Technologies, (Linz, Austria), Siemens Water Technologies (Warrendale, Pa., U.S.A.), and Industry Technologies, (Erlangen, Germany), the Siemens Industry Solutions Division (Erlangen, Germany) is one of the world's leading solution and service providers for industrial and infrastructure facilities. Using its own products, systems and process technologies, Industry Solutions develops and builds plants for end customers, commissions them and provides support during their entire life cycle. With around 31,000 employees worldwide Siemens Industry Solutions achieved an order intake of EUR 8.4 billon in fiscal year 2008 (preliminary and unaudited).
