Gresham Smith Water Resource Engineers to Speak at Alabama-Mississippi Water Conference
Gresham Smith is proud to announce that several of the firm’s water resource engineers will present at the Alabama – Mississippi Water Joint Annual Conference in Mobile, Alabama, highlighting a variety of relevant industry topics.
Summaries of the presentations are below.
Turning the Corner: Introduction to PAA Disinfection at Water Resource Recovery Facilities
Presentation by Kent Hartzog, P.E.
Monday, April 8, 2024, 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. CT
Peracetic acid (PAA) has gained popularity as a wastewater disinfectant in recent years due to its inherent advantages over established disinfectants particularly in challenging conditions. Used for decades as a disinfectant in the food and beverage industry, application of PAA at water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs) is a burgeoning topic with a growing number of full-scale systems located throughout the United States including numerous installations in Kentucky and Tennessee.
This presentation will include an overview of PAA disinfection kinetics, advantages and challenges of PAA when compared to established wastewater disinfectants, suitable PAA disinfection applications, and design and operational considerations for implementing a PAA disinfection system.
How to Pump Downhill: A Closer Look at Pump Hydraulics and ARV Sizing
Presentation by Caleb Wilson, P.E. and Cameron Traylor, P.E.
Monday, April 8, 2024, 10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. CT
Selecting the right pump for any system is a delicate balance of physics, however, pumping fluid downhill adds another level of complexity to an already challenging topic: siphons. Understanding the intricate relationship between pump hydraulics and the potential to create a siphon is vital to avoiding costly mechanical failure and ensure efficient operations.
This presentation will explore the fundamental changes in pump hydraulics when operating with negative static head. This includes discussing how changes in head pressure and flow dynamics can affect the pump’s efficiency, performance, and overall reliability. We will examine the challenges associated with avoiding siphons, and the necessary equipment requirements for optimal system operation: air release valves. Properly sized combination air release valves (ARVs) are essential for maintaining system integrity during downhill pumping. We will delve into the significance of ARVs in preventing air entrapment and breaking vacuums created by intermediate high points.
By the end of this presentation, attendees will have gained comprehensive insights into optimizing downhill pumping systems for improved efficiency and reduced maintenance. These insights will lead to cost savings, enhanced reliability, and the avoidance of common pitfalls associated with siphon formation.
Water Reuse at Industrial Facilities and Impacts on Utilities
Presentation by Kent Hartzog, P.E.
Monday, April 8, 2024, 3:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. CT
The demand for electric vehicles has carmakers investing $500 billion fortifying their supply chains and factories. New Li-ion battery manufacturing facilities, component plants, and other industrial megasites can impose a disproportionate demand on the utilities in the communities where they are located, however, the unique challenges present at these sites open the door for innovation and collaboration.
Gresham Smith has worked with multiple EV battery production facilities, planning and designing the plant water/wastewater infrastructure and coordinating with local utilities. Working with local communities on how to meet the water/wastewater demand and with regulators on how to permit the facilities has given us insight into various successes and pitfalls.
We will cover the basics of water use, wastewater generation, and water reuse at EV battery (and general industrial) facilities. We will discuss various impacts on utilities serving these sites, and how collaboration can benefit all parties. Finally, we will share some lessons learned from our experience working on the industrial and the municipal sides of these projects.
More information and a full conference schedule can be found online here.