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Issue link: http://wateronline.epubxp.com/i/164223
Analysis be asked. The U.K. water industry There is also a second and most produces something along the lines important pitfall to consider, and that of 400 million pieces of data every is the installation of the instrument day; 99.999 percent is for nothing, itself. This is vitally important and the industry is drowning in data because an instrument that isn't that it does nothing with. installed correctly or is installed in Once the first question has been such a way that is not maintainable asked, the need for an instrument will never work. It will, in fact, confirmed, and a home for the data cause further damage insofar as decided upon, the next question is, it, and instruments in general, are "What do I choose, and how do I get never trusted. This sets up an effect it into place in my treatment plant?" I refer to as "The Resistance to the There are numerous companies that A complicated combination of controls can lead Effective Use of Instrumentation" sell instruments to the water industry, to confusion. (see Case Study 2). There are many but the simple answer is that there is forms of this, including: the right instrument for the right application. Help is almost at hand with a project by the Global Water • A lack of understanding of what an instrument can Research Council, which is due to set up a website do and the features of that instrument not used towards the end of the year giving impartial advice (for example, the power and flow calculations that on the pros and cons of the different instrumentation can form part of a variable speed drive). types. There are, however, a few things to consider: • An instrument that is badly installed, either in • • • • • terms of the way it works or in such a way that it can't be maintained. Type of instrument — This very much depends upon the accuracy that is needed and the budget that is available. Ease of installation — Can you install it in your treatment plant with ease, or are major adaptations required? Ease of operation — How easy is the instrument for the operator on the ground to use? Can it be managed in 10 minutes, or does it need a Ph.D. to operate? Technical specs — Most modern instruments can provide you with a wealth of data on what it's measuring and how "happy" it is, as well as a wealth of other information. What do you, as a purchaser, actually need/ want? Communication — Do you want an instrument with advanced digital communication, an Internet connection, or a simple analogue connection, or do you want it to read locally with no communication to the outside world? wateronline.com ■ Water Online The Magazine 25