Festo South Africa was sub-contracted by Bateman Engineering Technologies to supply and install a state-of-the-art pneumatic system for Meulwater Water Treatment Works (WTW).

The Meulwater WTW is a newly constructed purification plant located in the ecologically sensitive Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve.

The plant, capable of treating 8 Mℓof potable water per day, is situated beneath the Paarl Rock overlooking the Paarl valley below. To ensure that the beauty of the surrounding landscaperemains undisturbed, Meulwater WTW required a system that would be both aesthetically pleasing, and environmentally friendly.

“We supplied and installed automation equipment for the plant filtration and backwash recovery systems. The components form part of a concept that ensures the plant can use a hybrid centralised and decentralised approach to control, implementing a ‘best of both worlds’ approach,” explains Brian Abbott, Festo product manager.

The pneumatic equipment boasts a quiet operation and uses clean compressed air technology. The valve actuators are simple in construction, with few moving parts, and have a long life expectancy. The system also features low energy requirements, all of which contribute significantly to the ‘green’ aspect of the system.

“Festo installed key products due to their reliability and ability to minimise long-term maintenance,” notes Abbott.

The system comprises polyimide air reticulation piping from compressors to valve terminals, to minimise air leaks, simplify installation and increase longevity through its high corrosion resistance, as well as MPA valve terminal technology from Festo that ensures that all pilot valves controlling compressed air to the actuators are centralised and protected from the harmful elements of the environment, for example,. weather, UV lights and moisture. Festo PLN flexible tubing from the valve terminals to the actuators also offers high resistance to UV sunlight, thus increasingdurability even more. Service units and automatic moisture purge valves were installed at key locations to maintain instrument air quality at all times.

“The Meulwater WTW installation is another example of the type of complete automation solutions that Festo is proud to offer customers in addition to our traditional pneumatic products,” maintainsAbbott.