Aquatic Informatics has launched WIMS Process Manager, a digital twin tool that combines SCADA, laboratory, operational and simulated data to help wastewater operators forecast process conditions and test changes before applying them at treatment plants.
The software is the latest addition to the Hach WIMS platform and is designed to help wastewater facilities move from reactive troubleshooting towards predictive process management.
WIMS Process Manager uses wastewater modelling and digital twin technology to simulate plant processes and assess how operational changes could affect treatment performance.
WIMS Process Manager forecasts conditions 24 hours ahead
Aquatic Informatics said the platform can forecast process outcomes up to 24 hours in advance, giving operators an opportunity to identify potential issues before they occur.
Users can also virtually test process adjustments before implementing them at a treatment plant.
The company said this could help operators assess changes to aeration, chemical dosing and other treatment stages while considering regulatory compliance, resource consumption and operating costs.
Megan Baxter, General Manager at Aquatic Informatics, said: “Traditional systems often highlight issues during or after they occur. This limits the ability to fix issues quickly which can result in plant downtime and costly solutions. With WIMS Process Manager, wastewater facilities can view dynamic, virtual replicas of physical plant processes.”
Digital twin brings plant data into one environment
The platform combines information from SCADA systems, laboratory analysis, operational systems and simulations.
Bringing these sources together is intended to give operators a more complete view of plant performance and allow potential changes to be assessed before they are introduced to physical processes.
Digital twins are increasingly being used across the water sector to support predictive operations, asset planning and process optimisation.
Aquatic Informatics reports reductions in energy and chemical use
Aquatic Informatics said facilities currently using WIMS Process Manager have achieved reductions of up to 20% in energy and chemical use through dosing optimisation and adjusted aeration setpoints.
The company also reports reductions of up to 35% in nitrous oxide emissions.
These performance figures have been reported by Aquatic Informatics and may vary between treatment facilities and operating conditions.
Tanner Thorson, Wastewater Plant Superintendent in Louisville Colorado, said “WIMS Process Manager allows us to model changes in advance, and helped us identify opportunities to reduce aeration energy costs while keeping effluent quality well within target limits. The digital twin will also help inform decisions related to our upcoming plant expansion.”
Platform available across multiple markets
WIMS Process Manager is now available across the Americas, Australia and Europe.
Further information is available from Aquatic Informatics.
Source: Aquatic Informatics
