Rental GAC Equipment Provides Municipal Water Systems With Quick, Feasible Option for Addressing Problems

Sussex County, Del., upgraded its equipment and purchased two TIGG CANSORB CP-8000 vessels with the combined ability to purify 1,440,000 gallons of drinking water per day.

By Tom Bourke

     Municipal drinking water providers looking to quickly come into regulatory compliance or to solve other potable water problems where activated carbon adsorption vessels are the answer sometimes turn to rental equipment as a quick remedy. As the efficiency and cost factors are evaluated over time, the rented vessels can be purchased or upgraded as a permanent drinking water purification solution.
     When Sussex County, Del. saw a steady increase in tetrachloroethylene (PCE) levels in potable water at its Industrial Airpark Well #2, engineering consultants began evaluating three different methods of treatment. These possible treatment technologies included ion exchange, which was found to be ineffective in removing PCE; air stripping, which required additional pumping; and activated carbon, which was determined to be the most effective and economical solution.
     "The Delaware Division of Public Health did a random test at the Sussex County Industrial Airpark system and discovered relatively high concentrations of PCE," said Heather Sheridan, Sussex County director of environmental services. "Though the concentration was below the state's maximum contaminant level, we wanted to take a proactive approach. On the advice of our consultants we moved quickly to install GAC water treatment equipment."
     The Industrial Airpark system serves 27 industries and approximately 900 people on 600 acres of developed land at the Sussex County Airport. Overall, the county operates two potable water systems and four wastewater treatment facilities serving a total of 64,775 equivalent dwelling units.
     The county's Department of Environmental Services, which runs and maintains the two systems, deemed the PCE concentration level an emergency and decided that renting a GAC adsorption system was the fastest way to address the issue.
     The nature of the problem required an immediate response and meant the normal bidding process was put on hold until a temporary system was installed. The Sussex County Engineering Department rented and installed two CANSORB CP-3,000 activated carbon adsorption vessels. Each of the GAC units handle a maximum flow rate of 235 gpm, have a maximum pressure of 75 psi and have a standard media fill of 3,000 lbs of activated carbon.
     "The filter units were delivered in a matter of days," said Julie Cooper, a Sussex County project engineer. "The county staff provided the materials and labor for installation and piping."
     According to Cooper, before the Industrial Airpark Well #2 was put online with the two rented vessels running in parallel, sampling was done before and after the filtration vessels. Once the filtration units were installed, testing revealed the contaminant influent level was 4.5 micrograms per liter and after treatment the effluent level was less than 0 micrograms per liter.
     "Activated carbon is a good adsorption media for a multitude of organic compounds and PCE is one of them," said Anthony Mazzoni, TIGG Corporation vice president. "It's a textbook application. PCE is strongly adsorbed by activated carbon, even at low concentrations."
     TIGG designed, manufactured and delivered the rental GAC units and once they were operational the company's technical experts worked with Sussex County's staff to create a permanent filtration solution. Due to county requirements, the project for permanent potable water filtration units was put out to bid.
     When looking to purchase new GAC units, Sussex County decided to upgrade from the 3,000 pound carbon bed in the rental units and go with two adsorbers with a maximum flow rate of 500 gpm, 125 psi, and a 10,000 activated carbon bed. This upgrade allowed the system to operate at higher flow rates and the larger carbon bed increased the amount of time in between spent carbon change outs.
     "The TIGG model was used as a basis for specification, though Sussex County specifications allowed for an approved equivalent," Cooper said. "However, the units submitted by the successful bidder on the permanent installation project were TIGG vessels.
     Sussex County acquired two CANSORB CP-8,000 units. The piping and valving was designed so that the two vessels would run in lead-lag configuration. Once the lead vessel's medium is spent, the system can be valved to run only through the lag vessel. When the carbon in the isolated vessel is replaced, the system is then set to lead-lag again, with the replenished vessel becoming the lag vessel. Thus, the two vessels are replenished with new carbon alternately and the system is never off line.
     These two units are capable of purifying a combined 1,440,000 gallons of water a day. They are constructed of carbon steel and are lined on the inside with an NSF-approved high solids epoxy for potable service to help prevent corrosion.
     The CANSORB-P line is specifically engineered to promote the even distribution of water as it travels downward through the carbon bed. The area where the carbon actively adsorbs contaminants from the influent water is the mass transfer zone. As the carbon becomes spent the mass transfer zone moves down the bed. The flow rate and contaminant concentration levels are factors in determining how quickly the carbon reaches capacity.
     Once the mass transfer zone progresses to the end of the bed, the effluent concentration increases to a level which is unacceptable for continued operation. This concentration is called the breakthrough point. At this point, the carbon bed is usually exchanged.
     The goal of a well-designed adsorption vessel is to evenly distribute the water in the unit in order for the mass transfer zone to move evenly through the depth of the carbon bed.
     While Sussex County rented its GAC equipment to get out in front of a potential PCE problem, the San Antonio Water System (SAWS) rented activated carbon adsorption systems to proactively remove TOC and TTHMs from Canyon Lake, a Central Texas potable surface water supply. SAWS wanted to reduce the potential for formation of disinfection byproducts (DBP) in its distribution system, and ensure compliance with EPA Stage 2 DBP regulations.
     Disinfection byproducts occur when disinfectants such as chlorine react with naturally-occurring organic compounds in water. The disinfection agents are added to source water to control pathogenic microbes. However, they react with organic matter in the source water to form potentially harmful substances.
     The type of DBP can vary depending on the disinfection agent used, the concentration of organic matter, the pH levels of the water and even the temperatures when the process occurs. Other factors can contribute to the DBP levels as the water travels through pipe networks toward the taps of consumers.
     If consumed regularly over a long period of time the accumulation of DPB in the human body may lead to certain health risks. Some studies have shown high doses of DBP may have a carcinogenic effect as well causing reproductive issues.
     "The EPA promulgated a series of rules in the late 1990s and mid 2000s to limit the formation of DBPs while optimizing the control of pathogens. If EPA promulgates something, the states have to follow suit," said Lisa Kasianowitz, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection media spokeswoman.
     "Compliance monitoring is phased in for larger systems to smaller systems. Some water systems began compliance monitoring under the Stage 2 DBPR in April 2012. Others must comply by October 2013 or October 2014. They've known well enough in advance so water systems have had time to prepare for the compliance monitoring."

Employees of the San Antonio Water System assemble one of three rental skid system units August 14. The combined systems are capable of purifying more than 5 million gallons of drinking water per day.

    SAWS rented three activated carbon dual-vessel skid systems that went online in San Antonio, August 14. The combined systems are capable of purifying more than 5 million gallons of water a day. The units can run either in series or parallel. Each system holds 40,000 lbs of granular activated carbon and purifies water at 1,500 gpm.
     The dual-vessel systems are comprised of two CP20K-10 granular activated carbon adsorption vessels connected with a 12-valve pipe rack. In order to meet their flow rate requirements, the SAWS system is operated in parallel.
     "Granulated Activated Carbon might be an appropriate treatment technique for DBP removal but it is not the only option," Kasianowitz said. "In Pennsylvania, any installation of GAC equipment will require a consultation and permit application through the appropriate Department of Environmental Protection regional office. States that have primary enforcement authority for the federal regulations must promulgate regulations at least as stringent as the federal standards; however, some states may choose to implement regulations that are more stringent than federal regulations."
     TIGG won the competitively bid contract to rent the units to the San Antonio Water System on July 3. The agreement could be worth up to $2.5 million and includes spent carbon exchange and disposal services
     "Although we've been manufacturing the dual-vessel CP 20K-10 system for years, this is the first time we've supplied a client with the complete system on a skid," Mazzoni said. "We specifically engineered each skid to ship on a single flatbed truck. Plus, the skids simplify the setup process and help reduce labor costs."
     The deadline for some water providers serving less than 10,000 people to come into compliance with the EPA's Stage 2 DBP Regulations occurs in 2013, with possible extensions granted. However, with limited money available and regulations looming renting GAC equipment can be a way to meet the regulatory deadlines. This factor, along with reduced up front capital costs and quick response times to emergency situations makes rental GAC adsorption equipment a viable option for many municipal water providers.

For more information on TIGG's Municipal Applications such as drinking water purification equipment, hydropneumatic surge tanks, multi-media filters and activated carbon media call 800-925-0011 or contact us.

TIGG Receives Women's Business Enterprise National Council Certification

TIGG Receives Women's Business Enterprise National Council Certification
Company’s woman-owned status helps clients meet diversity goals

Georgiana Riley joined TIGG as Director of Sales in 1993. In 1996, she became President of TIGG. In 1999, she purchased the company from the founder’s family and since then has concentrated on improving every department.

OAKDALE, Pa., March 18 ― TIGG Corporation, a manufacturer of steel tanks and pressure vessels that are primarily used as activated carbon adsorption and filtration units for environmental remediation, industrial emission control and other water and air purification applications recently received national certification from the Woman’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).
            Many corporations as well as federal, state and local governments strive to include woman-owned businesses on their list of preferred vendors. By obtaining its WBENC certificate, TIGG is easily identified as a woman-owned company.
            “More and more of our customers have made a commitment to diversity in their supply chain,’ said TIGG Owner Georgiana Riley, who purchased the company in 1999. “We are pleased to receive the WBENC certification because it allows us to better serve clients who place a priority on inclusiveness.”
            Prior to owning the company, Riley worked in several areas of the activated carbon industry including chemistry, sales, marketing and management. In addition to being the president/owner of TIGG, she is on the board of directors of Catalyst Connection, the board of Adagio Health and is the chairperson of her local sewage authority.
            In order to achieve its WBENC status, TIGG underwent a rigorous certification process that included a review of the company’s corporate by laws, financial and tax information, articles of incorporation and an on-site inspection. The certification is already paying off—in 2012, the WBENC certification helped TIGG meet the diversity requirements of one of the company's largest clients.
            TIGG is also certified as a woman-owned business with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the California Public Utilities Commission. With a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, a team of highly skilled workers, an experienced engineering department and more than 35 years in business, not only is TIGG a certified woman-owned business, it is also an innovative industry leader.


Download A PDF | Woman-Owned Business Capabilities Brochure
View TIGG's WBENC Certificate
Visit TIGG's CERTIFICATIONS page for more information on the company's woman owned business status.

TIGG Names Doug Murray New Plant Manager

Murray Brings Manufacturing Experience to Heber Springs, Ark. Facility

Taking over leadership of TIGG’s Heber Springs, Ark. production facility February 11, Doug Murray brings years of manufacturing experience to the company. With a bachelor’s in science from Missouri State University, he has been exposed to many business aspects including accounting, human resources economics and operations management.

HEBER SPRINGS, Ark., March 27 ― TIGG Corporation announced the February 11 hiring of Doug Murray as the company’s Heber Springs, Ark. manufacturing facility plant manager. In his new position, Murray will direct all plant activities including production, warehousing and distribution while managing costs and implementing worker safety programs.
            “Several qualified candidates applied for the position and it was tough narrowing it down to just one,” said TIGG President Georgiana Riley. “However, we’re confident we made the right choice and that hiring Doug will help TIGG continue to produce quality equipment for its customers.”
            Previously, Murray oversaw 63 workers on four production lines while employed as the supervisor of manufacturing at a carbide forming and shaping facility. He sees both similarities and differences between his old and new positions.
            “The biggest thing we made at my old job was the size of a coffee cup. Now, I’m making equipment that takes a semi-trailer to deliver,” Murray said. “But, just like before, my job is focused on satisfying customer needs in a manufacturing environment.”
            TIGG employees will see changes moving forward at the plant that will come in short bursts. Murray said his main approach would be to utilize basic lean principals, which include streamlining the manufacturing processes, enhancing the management of employee hours and ensuring required materials are ready at each stage of the process.
            “At TIGG, we’re geared up to expand and hope to increase our 21-person Heber Springs workforce if sales growth continues,” Murray said. “I also hope TIGG can become more involved in the community and local functions.
           TIGG has more than 35 years of experience designing and building steel tanks and pressure vessels that are primarily used for air and water purification. The company has 155,000 square feet of fabrication and warehouse space in Heber Springs and a headquarters facility in Oakdale, Pa.

For more information visit www.TIGG.com

TIGG Provides Groundwater Remediation Rental Success

 TIGG Provides Groundwater Remediation Rental Success

When an experienced environmental remediation company secured a contract to clean up a former manufactured gas plant in a New York community, the contractor realized the environmental remediation process would require a host of different technologies to address contaminated soil as well as ground and surface water.

TIGG Corporation was called upon to provide a solution for treating the contact water because of its ability to meet the company’s requirements of reasonable pricing, immediate rental equipment availability and technical expertise.

TIGG helped rescue the project, which initially employed one of its competitors, who provided inadequate engineering and a solution that was not meeting treatment objectives.

“With the goal of removing contaminants from groundwater in an area near a shopping center, we worked with the remediation contractor to help ensure the safety of the public,” said TIGG Director of Project Engineering Jeff Iman. “We delivered an idea and the apparatus to implement it in a little over three weeks.”

Initially, TIGG developed a water treatment system that combined various technologies to separate oil and coal-tar residuals from the contact water. This process included gravity separators, centrifugal pumps, bag filter units and vessels containing oil-absorbent media and activated carbon.

However, it was soon discovered that cyanide was prevalent in the water. The remediation contractor suggested that iron coprecipitation be used to treat the water and remove the substance. Prior to implementing this plan, the contractor asked TIGG to confirm the treatment process in the laboratory.

After meticulously bench-testing different treatment methods, TIGG identified an anion exchange resin as the best method for removing cyanide from the contact water.

Once the environmental remediation company saw the test results, TIGG incorporated a secondary bag filter skid into the plan and added two anion water filtration vessels. This additional equipment safely removed the cyanide from the water.

As part of its overall service agreement with the environmental remediation contractor, TIGG exchanged spent media with fresh media in the filtration vessels, while offering continuous technical support on the overall process.

“Thanks to our bench testing and ability to integrate various technologies to meet changing needs, the project was executed in a timely and effective manner,” said Iman. “The end result was clean water ready to be introduced back into the local ecosystem.”

For more information on this topic visit www.tigg.com/groundwater-treatment

Activated Carbons and Manufactured Gas Plants

Activated Carbons and Manufactured Gas Plants

A Presentation To The GTI Conference, TIGG Corp.

Authored by:

Michael Hasel PPL Service Corp.

Anthony Mazzoni TIGG Corp.

Johyn Mahfood Corp. Env. Solutions

 

 From the early 1800’s through the mid-1900’s gas for lighting, heating and cooking was produced from coal or oil at manufactured gas plants (MGP). The MGP sites were built on the outskirts of towns that have since grown.  Therefore, the sites are often located in inner city areas.

The process that was used yielded residues that included tars, sludge, light oils, spent oxide waste and other hydrocarbon products. Although many of these byproducts were recycled, excess residues remained at the site.  The residues contain polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) which are present in the base contaminant, which is coal tar.

Approximately 1500 MGP sites have been designated to be cleaned up.  The clean up is triggered by regulatory pressure, mainly state agencies, property transfers and re-development as well as releases via ground water migration.  Due to de-regulation, site clean-up may also be triggered by sale of a utility or of a specific utility site to other utilities.

When considering the remediation of a MGP site, the owner desires to have few or no problems, at the lowest cost, with the neighbors or government agencies, during the remediation operation. To achieve this goal there are many factors that need to be considered. These include, but are not limited to owner costs, public and government relations, present and future liabilities and type of remediation protocol to use.

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the pros and cons related to each of these factors when using one of three accepted options in conjunction with the “hog and haul” method of remediating a site. The options are the use of (1) minimal controls, (2) extensive onsite monitoring and (3) a fabric structure with limited air testing.

As we are all aware, the government continues to react to public and media pressures relating to real or perceived environmentally caused health problems. Therefore, there is the possibility that new regulations will require more stringent guidelines for controlling emissions during the remediation operations and minimizing the need for further action in the future.

Regardless of the regulatory oversight and except for the most unusual of settings most MGP sites require a standard site investigation, risk evaluation and remediation often consisting of soils/materials excavation. At a minimum, the normal practice is to remove the extremely impacted (e.g. tar tanks, holders) soils for disposal/treatment. It is these soils that have the greatest impact to the environment and the neighborhood during a remedial action.

The complete remedial design is no longer limited to the evaluation of what technology, and their associated risks, to use for cleaning the site, but must also include the development of a comprehensive public relations campaign involving the neighbors, the media and the local government officials.  Satisfying neighbor concerns is the center of the public relations effort.  Their concerns are normally related to health, both during and after the clean-up, noise and property values.

The health concerns during remediation are usually related to odors and seeing personnel in moon suits. This is an indication to them that something is bad in the air.  Both of these issues must be addressed or the public will be upset.  This then leads to more media coverage, more government scrutiny, an adverse impact on the company’s image, and is likely to extend the time of the operation and increase costs.

Failure to manage risks for a single remediation could negatively impact the owner in many ways.  This could lead to extensive regulatory review, negative P.R., and possible impacts on the stock value, applications for future permits, and future job sitting (e.g. substation, power plants etc.).  For regulated industries, it could even impact the rate case and reduce the ability to collect all or a portion of the costs from the ratepayer.

There are many technologies that are used to remediate MGP sites. Some of these are bio remediation, capping and slurry walls, stabilization, sheet piling and thermal treatment of the soil. However, the excavation and hauling technique, commonly referred to as “hog and haul”, is an old idea but is still a core tool and is used alone or in conjunction with other technologies.

Whatever technology is used there are still factors that affect the success of the overall remedial operation. The weather, i.e. rain, snow, heat, wind and cold can cause delay in the operation if the site is not covered.  Also hours of operation could be limited by complaints about noise.

Following is a comparison of the three options that are used with the “hog and haul” technology:

1.   Excavation with Limited Monitoring of Air

In this option there are minimal measurements of VOC emissions. Foam or plastic may be put down to help control vapor emissions and reduce complaints by residents. Monitoring may include the use of hand held PIDs.

Pros:

• This is the lowest cost approach
• Probably appropriate for rural areas and industrial complexes

Cons:

• Work delays due to weather or uncovering unexpected “hot spots”
• Variation in emissions could go undetected by monitor but detected by neighbors and thus complaints
• Lawsuits due to perceived health effects
• Regulatory control when done in suburban and urban areas
• Delays due to having to put down foam or plastic
• Extra costs due to change orders because of delays
• Public can be upset by odors and seeing moon suits

2. Excavation with Extensive Real Time Monitoring of Air Emissions

Real time VOC monitors are installed around the site. When the monitors detect a contaminant work activity is slowed or stopped. Monitors provide individual gas constituents.

Pros:

• Extensive monitoring can detect fugitive emissions
• Provides legally defensive monitoring data
• Can be used in suburban and urban settings
  

Cons:

• Work delays due to weather or uncovering unexpected “hot spots”
• Lawsuits due to perceived health effects
• Regulatory control when done in suburban and urban areas
• Delays due to having to put done foam or plastic
• Extra costs due to change orders because of delays
• Public can be upset by odors and seeing moon suits

3. Excavation under Fabric Structure and Limited Monitoring of Air 

In this option a fabric structure is erected over the most contaminated area of the site.  Garage doors, large enough to allow heavy equipment to enter the structure, along with mandoors and lighting are installed in the structure.

The size and orientation of the structure is site specific and must take into account the work plan and truck traffic pattern. In addition to the structure, a well-designed air handling and purification system must be installed to capture VOC emissions generated within the structure and to allow workers to wear minimal personnel protection equipment. Generally the air purification system should be sized to provide 2-5 changes per hour. Once erected and operational a fabric structure with a properly sized air purification system enables work to proceed in most weather conditions and prevents escape of contaminated air.

Pros:

• Not affected by weather conditions
• Organics adsorbed on activated carbon so no odors released to atmosphere
• No visibility of operations
• Minimal visibility of personnel in moon suits
• Same cost as real time monitoring option
• Less noise
• Minimizes risk of lawsuits
• Structure can be moved to various locations on the site
• Better control of costs and schedule
• Much easier and more effect public relations
  

Cons:

• Presence of large visible structure
• A visible depiction of the foregoing discussion is presented in the accompanying table.  The code for interpreting the presentation is as follows:
• Meets or exceeds objectives 
• Meets objectives
• May not meet objectives

 

As is obvious from the chart, the most solid black circles are shown under the structure option.  The activities that are involved with this option are discussed below.

Objective:

Determine which and then select the operational option, when using the “hog and haul” technology, that would satisfy the Owner/Client, Regulators and public to complete the R/A with minimal problems.

Conclusion:

The use of a fabric structure in a residential setting: allowed for the successful completion of the core goals and objectives of the remedial design.

Benefits of Using a Fabric Structure:

•     A remedial plan to meet regulatory compliance
•      Balances project cost with current and future liability controls
•      Easier public and local buy-in for successful project completion
•      Better control of costs and schedules versus other options
•      No odors released to atmosphere
•      Minimizes risk of lawsuits
•      Not affected by weather conditions

 For more information on this topic visit www.TIGG.com

 

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