Automation
An automated system will start up and shut down the evaporator and pump, based on specified weather conditions (wind speed and direction, rainfall, humidity levels, temperature). An automation system is highly desirable if the water being treated is corrosive or contains hazardous chemicals. The automation system ensures that drift of water droplets is controlled, depositing them in a planned containment area without depending on human operators to respond to changing weather conditions.
Examples of master automation and control panels
Automation for evaporator systems comes in various packages, and can be customized to meet specific customer needs.
Basic On / Off Weather Automation Package:
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Typically includes master control panel containing PLC, panel view to
input set points, weather station (typically includes wind speed, wind
direction, humidity and temperature) with mounting brackets
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Operation: starts and stops evaporator(s) and pump(s) based on weather conditions (usually wind speed, wind direction; temperature and humidity); speed and direction are set for 8 quadrants of compass, temperature usually triggers at below freezing and humidity triggers at above 80%; system reacts after length of time the new weather condition is experienced.
Premium Weather Automation Package:
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Software gives users the ability to control the function of the system
and monitor, store and graph system data via a desktop computer, as
well as manually at the master control panel (via panel view input)
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Typically includes full installation and setup at customer’s site,
master control panel (containing PLC, panel view to input set points)
weather station (wind speed, wind direction, humidity and
temperature), desktop computer at on-site building, with SmartH2OTM
and supporting documentation
- Operation is the same as Basic Package,
with control or set point input via computer or at local master
control panel
Optional Custom Features:
- Control system: can manage system based on water level (in ponds), salinity levels (in ponds) or rainfall; can control water flow and pressure to evaporators to increase evaporation during favorable conditions
- Monitoring: can monitor data for water levels, salinity levels,rainfall, water flow rate, water pressure
- Communications: upgrade to optic fiber and radio communications
- SmartH2OTM: many customer features can be added, generally dictated bypriorities and budgets (added features mean added programming and hardware)
Examples of SmartH20 screens
Some popular customer features include:
- External internet access to SmartH2OTM for downloading of data and system operation
- Camera: can include viewing locations “real time” on site and camera operation
Deciding which type of evaporator and water supply, automation level and system design is best for any given application is dependent upon site conditions and customer preference for operating the system. For performance, any of the above larger evaporators will remove an average of about 75 – 150 cubic meters of water per day during the warm months of the year. During the hot summer months, the removal rate can be as high as 200 cubic meters per day.