Monitoring water flow in wastewater and drinking water environments is necessary for quality and efficiency. Part of South Africa’s water challenges can be addressed by adopting technology that is both fit for purpose and, above all, simple.

Unnecessarily difficult solutions put a strain on adoption and implementation, and the simple solutions are often the ones that get picked up sooner, but simple does not mean ‘less.’

An example of this is Endress+Hauser’s new 80GHz compact radar range, consisting of the Micropilot FMR10B, FMR20B and FMR30B, which is designed to help customers reach their compliance targets through simple and efficient measurement solutions.

Commissioning in the water and wastewater industry applications can often be complex and time-consuming. However, the Micropilot FMR10B, FMR20B and FMR30B can streamline these activities with guided wizards and software that eases complex actions, for easier commissioning. The Micropilot FMR10B, 20B and 30B are compact level and flow sensors for continuous measurement, that can be used for a wide range of applications in the water and wastewater industry.

Sewer management

Effective sewer management involves the monitoring of flow and level values to ensure that the system operates efficiently and to prevent overflows. Sewer management in South Africa faces many challenges. The Green Drop report, which assesses the performance of wastewater plants, highlights that at least 39% of wastewater plants in South Africa are deemed to be in poor or critical condition. Some of the challenges faced by these plants include having narrow spaces for the mounting of devices and the risk of flooding.

The Micropilot FMR20B is suitable for limited spaces, with the compact sensor being easy to mount and to commission with the use of Bluetooth and Endress+Hauser’s SmartBlue application. A variety of accessories complement these devices and include various mounting brackets, flood protection tubes and weather protection covers, ensuring consistent, reliable measurement.

Open channel flow in water and wastewater plants involves the movement of water through various channels that are exposed to the atmosphere. This type of flow is generally present in wastewater treatment plants for the movement of influent and effluent; however, these types of applications face the challenge of volatile weather conditions and the risk of flooding. The Micropilot FMR10B, 20B and 30B are independent of environmental influences with an integrated flow calculation. The Micropilot FMR10B, 20B, and 30B also come with an optional flood protection tube and a weather protection cover, thus protecting the device from damage due to flooding.

Pump station and lift stations

Pump stations and lift stations are essential for moving water and wastewater through treatment processes. These stations often move water over long distances and in challenging conditions.

Lift stations move water between different elevations. Due to this movement, turbulent surfaces and the formation of foam can pose a problem. These stations present narrow points of installation for mounting devices and are typically ex-zoned, which are areas classified as having a potentially explosive atmosphere.

The Micropilot FMR20B and FMR30B are equipped with 80 GHz technology, which enables the device to measure accurately irrespective of installation and application conditions. These devices also come with certifications that comply with the requirements for hazardous area applications.

Intermediate bulk containers (IBC) and storage tanks

IBC and storage tanks are essential for the storage and handling of various substances made up of different media types and with varying chemical resistance. These tanks can also be present in Ex zones. The Micropilot FMR10 (ATEX version) enables the installation directly on the inner side of the tank. External non-intrusive measurement can be performed on plastic tanks, eliminating potential influences from different media types.