Hoffman & Lamson has launched the Defender Plus rotary lobe blower package for municipal and industrial wastewater treatment facilities. The packaged system combines positive displacement blower technology with integrated controls, remote connectivity and a sound-reducing enclosure.
Defender Plus is the latest generation of the company’s established Defender platform. It has been developed for continuous low-pressure air applications where operators require stable airflow and visibility of equipment performance.
Defender Plus covers applications up to 300 hp
The enclosed Defender Plus range is available in Frame 3 and Frame 4 configurations with motor sizes from 25 hp to 300 hp. Depending on the selected configuration, the package can provide airflow of up to 3,400 cubic feet per minute.
The system can operate at pressures of up to 15 psig and vacuum levels of up to 15 inches of mercury. It uses a positive displacement tri-lobe blower designed to convey air and neutral gases at low pressures.
Each factory-assembled package incorporates the blower, motor, belt drive, controls, inlet and discharge silencers and enclosure. Fixed-speed and variable-speed versions are available, allowing the system to be configured around the process demand and operating strategy of an individual treatment plant.
Integrated controls and remote monitoring
Defender Plus includes Hoffman & Lamson’s Governor Controller with a touchscreen interface. Operators can use the controller to view operating information, diagnostics, alarms, historical trends and maintenance records.
The package also supports iConn remote connectivity for monitoring, notifications and data logging. SCADA integration allows blower information to be incorporated into a treatment facility’s existing operational control environment.
Equipment safeguards and automatic shutdown functions are designed to protect the blower during critical operating events. Remote access and on-screen diagnostics can also help plant teams identify equipment issues and plan maintenance.
Wastewater aeration and backwashing applications
The Defender Plus rotary lobe blower package can support several wastewater treatment processes. These include biological aeration, grit and channel aeration, lagoon mixing, equalisation basin mixing and denitrification processes.
The blower can also provide low-pressure air for filter and sand backwashing, wet-well mixing and primary sedimentation support. Final equipment selection will depend on the airflow, pressure, operating range and redundancy requirements of the individual process.
Wastewater aeration loads can change significantly as flow and biological demand vary. Variable-speed operation allows airflow to be adjusted in response to those changes, while fixed-speed packages remain available for processes with more consistent requirements.
H2O Global News has previously examined how blower selection and digital controls affect wastewater treatment efficiency. Blowers are used across biological treatment, membrane systems, backwashing and mixing applications, making equipment sizing and control important considerations for operators.
Design focuses on access and noise reduction
Routine maintenance points on Defender Plus are accessible from the front of the enclosure. The package includes externally visible oil levels, accessible oil fill and drain hoses, automatic belt tensioning and belt replacement without specialist tools.
Hoffman & Lamson has also incorporated an optimised discharge silencer, a tunable inlet filter and silencer, and insulated enclosure panels. These components are designed to reduce pressure pulsation and operating noise within wastewater blower rooms.
The enclosure and fully boxed steel base create a compact, self-contained installation. Plants can specify the package according to their required motor size, control arrangement and airflow range.
Digital monitoring is becoming more common across wastewater operations as facilities combine equipment information with plant data. Recent developments include SCADA-connected modelling and process management tools for wastewater plants.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Hoffman Defender Plus?
Defender Plus is a packaged positive displacement rotary lobe blower system developed by Hoffman & Lamson. It combines a blower, motor, belt drive, controls, silencers and a noise-reducing enclosure.
What is the maximum airflow of Defender Plus?
Hoffman & Lamson states that Defender Plus can provide airflow of up to 3,400 cubic feet per minute. The precise capacity depends on the selected blower, motor and operating conditions.
Which wastewater processes can use Defender Plus?
Applications include biological aeration, grit aeration, filter backwashing, lagoon and equalisation basin mixing, wet-well mixing and denitrification. Equipment sizing must be based on the airflow and pressure requirements of the process.
Can Defender Plus connect to SCADA systems?
Yes. The integrated control system supports SCADA connectivity, while the iConn platform provides remote monitoring, notifications and data logging.
Is Defender Plus available with variable-speed control?
Yes. Hoffman & Lamson offers fixed-speed and variable-speed configurations, allowing airflow to be matched to different process requirements.
