Customer case:

Process monitoring – An easy way to save costs

Oct 5, 2020

Valmet Total Solids Measurement (Valmet TS) helps WWTP Kaiserslautern, Germany, to save approximately 44 000€ in heating costs and increase its solid content in the digester by around 1% within one year. A controlled primary sludge removal ensures the process stability in the digestion and thus achieves savings due to longer residence times that means higher gas amount and higher gas quality. By switching off the primary sludge removal step in a controlled manner, significantly less water should enter the digestion process.

Summary

Location	Kaiserslautern, Germany
WWTP details	Approx. 17 million m³/a of wastewater to treat Extension size 240 000 PE Connected approx. 180 000 PE Digested sludge development – approx. 9800 m³/a Agriculture: thermal 50:50
Solution	Valmet Total Solids Measurement (Valmet TS)
Results	The solid content in the digester rose by around 1% within one year Increased gas flow improved gas quality Savings in heating costs Stable processes also for the following dewatering systems
Keywords	Valmet TS, Wastewater, Automation, Europe, Germany

Savings

Evaluation	Electricity	Heat
Gas production	50300 m³ Red. Wärmebedarf +SF	380 MWh/a
Energy content of digester gas	32200 kWh Savings Nov.-April	400 MWh/a
Power generation	13200 kWh Add. Heat CHP Nov.-April	130 MWh/a
Electricity cost savings	24 400 € Heating oil equivalent	66800 L/a
(Electricity purchase price-operating costs CHP)	Heat cost savings	43 900 €
Values rounded(lower heating oil purchase - CHP remuneration)

Data and images were provided by Stadtentwässerung Kaiserslautern AöR.
Stadtentwässerung Kaiserslautern AöR did the calculation with support from WVE GmbH Kaiserslautern.

Total Solids Measurement

Valmet Total Solids Measurement (Valmet TS) is a reliable and accurate microwave real time measurement used to control and optimize the solids treatment process, giving operators information on the total solids 24/7.