Reactive pump control

Developed by IDS, the new method of controlling sludge in sewage treatment plants uses an ABB low voltage AC drive, combined with a specially written software algorithm to measure viscosity and achieve the flow control demanded by the sludge pumps.

The system was initially trialled at Severn Trent Water’s sewage treatment site at Pye Bridge in Nottinghamshire. It reduced pumping time by 90% by running the pump on average for 10 minutes per five hours, saving £42,000 a year.