Maintenance is vital to the success of treatment plants across all industries. External filter inspection on a regular basis will keep your plant running optimally and promote system longevity. Consistent inspections will catch minor repairs that when fixed in a timely manner, do not become bigger, more expensive repairs and also prevents a full plant shutdown. When inspecting filter exteriors, there a few things you want to check for.
Check the air release valves to ensure they are plumbed correctly and wasted into view. Ensure there is no water coming out of these valves and no air bubbles in the tank. Air under pressure can impact valve operation, cause shocking and water hammer. These valves should be inspected whenever they are in view.
Test the sample taps to ensure they are working properly. A malfunctioning sample tap may be an indication of seized valves. Broken sample taps prevent your system from running optimally and can impact the ability to take water samples for testing.
Look closely at the paint or tank coating. Look for rust, chips and flaking. These are all indicators that something may need attention. You also want to check to make sure the tank is not sweating if it does not do so normally. Tank sweat occurs when the temperature of the influent water is very different from the temperature outdoors or in the plant. This can occur when using cold ground water in a warmer climate. Unusual tank sweating may cause premature oxidation and rust. Paint inspection is recommended monthly.
Lastly you want to check for tank leaks. Any leaks from tanks could be a precursor of a plant shutdown or indicative of possible corrosion. You want to look for leaks anytime you are within view, checking around all side of the tank.
Contact us to learn more about filter maintenance.
U.S. Water’s Performance Index series is designed to share operations and maintenance best practices with plant personnel. The more our customers know about how to maintain and protect their systems, the more they can safeguard against system failures or efficiency issues.