Pilot Plant Troubleshooting and Maintenance

This section includes some minor issues the team has come across, as well as instructions on keeping the plant running.

Note that there is always at least one operator at the treatment plant during regular hours. The operators are generally willing (and usually able) to help solve problems, so don't hesitate to ask if they're free to help out.

Start-up

For problems related to starting up the plant or adjusting alum dosing, see the Start-up page.

Equipment

For problems with faulty parts or other equipment (such as pumps), see the Equipment page.

Turbidity and Flocs

For problems related to unusual turbidity or floc formation, see the Turbidity and Flocs page.

Turbidimeters

For information on cleaning (should be done very often) and calibrating (should be done every two months) the turbidimeters see Turbidimeter Maintenance.

Sedimentation Tank

For information on cleaning the sedimentation tanks and using floc blankets, see the Sedimentation Tanks Maintenance and Tips page.

Tube Flocculator

For information on getting air out of the tube flocculator and getting it started see Tube Flocculator Troubleshooting.

Flocculation Tank

For information on maintaining and cleaning the flocculation tank (vertical flow hydraulic flocculator), see the flocculation maintenance page.