SPECIAL TOPIC : Disaster Preparation / Mitigation Management
ing projects to make valves that can be assembled on site , to avoid transportation and installation obstacles , but noted that the availability of raw materials for these large valves is very limited : “ In the valve world , most vendors are stepping away from carbon steel components in favor of some sort of stainless or special alloy material . This practice really narrows down potential vendors and makes sourcing more difficult ,” explained Carroll . “ While valves used to be considered large at 24 ” in diameter , engineers are now working on 120 ” diameter valves to address these natural phenomena that are becoming increasingly common .”
Flooding Effects on Municipalities
becoming more and more complex with specifications and certifications . There is a lot of focus around safety , and not just during disaster , but day-to-day as well . 50 years ago , people , unfortunately , were considered expendable . That is the sad truth . Nowadays we are taking more care of our employees and I think that is a good thing . The challenge , especially when you are trying to be a global supplier , has therefore become being able to meet all the different specification . There are so many different designs and design criteria to be able to sell , say , into Australia versus the United States versus even Canada , and a lot of those specifications contradict themselves and each other . I think there probably needs to be some work around global standardization , and
Operators being trained on hydroelectric dam bypass valve .
that is going to take years and years to develop . With safety in mind and disaster mitigation in mind , I think that would be a step in the right direction .”
Valve ready to ship to deep tunnel pump station .
from communities when flooding occurs . Although there are several ideas on the subject , there is one method that many believe could be very beneficial if implemented on a large scale . “ There is ongoing discussion about using large diameter pipe and valves , instead of pumps , to divert the flow . This process would take advantage of natural gravity flow .
The issue with using large pumps is that they take a tremendous amount of electricity to run , which , as Carroll emphasized , “ is not readily available during a natural disaster .” For this reason , valves might be more useful than pumps when it comes to mitigating disasters and coping with flooding . Ideally , an individual would be able to open or close the valve and allow gravity to take the chemicals , floodwater or wastewater downstream to a safe depository . If there is a pneumatic operator on the valve , it would have an accumulator tank sitting right beside it , which has a sensing system to indicate an upset condition downstream or upstream . It can then either open or close the valve automatically . More work needs to be done on this technology , but the potential for preventing , and coping , with disasters is evident .
Innovative Solutions
Working with larger valves , spring cylinders , and accumulator tanks does not come easy or cheap ; bigger machines , bigger cranes , more materials , and more complex manufacturing are all obstacles that the valve industry faces . Carroll explained that there are ongo-
The effects of flooding extend beyond the valve world , and in fact encompass all of society . It is often municipalities that are hit hardest when disaster strikes , and regular people whose daily lives are interrupted .
Constant population increases in many metropolitan areas has led to a situation where there is often more wastewater than the city ’ s water system has the capacity to deal with . When a disaster inevitably occurs , such as an earthquake or flood , responders face significant complications ensuring that harmful contaminants are not leaked into urban areas and water systems . Although there are currently no solid solutions to this problem , there are many ideas in the works . Engineers in China , Singapore and Dubai have started working on a system of deep tunnels to move wastewater . “ One interesting practice that is taking place in some areas is the creation of a deep tunnel into the ground , that acts as a reservoir ,” relayed Carroll . “ Response crews will pump all the waste into the deep tunnel , and then in the middle of the night , they will start processing it during nonpeak hours , to mitigate the risk of contamination . There has been some talk about implementing something similar in the United States ; we could bore deep tunnels vertically because there is no way to expand horizontally . This type of project would require the use of several specialty valves , which I believe would be very beneficial for this type of project . The US is a long way from making these tunnels a reality , but you can imagine the positive effects that such a system might have on flooding .”
Looking Forward
Carroll had some insightful remarks regarding social governance in the valve industry , and the importance of safety : “ The world that we are living in now is
CASE STUDY : Singapore ’ s Advanced Wastewater Treatment
One example of progress being made in wastewater treatment in response to disasters comes out of Singapore . In a 2018 press release from Eco Business , authors describe the advances wastewater treatment system in Singapore , focusing on the Ulu Pandan wastewater treatment demonstration plant . According to the statement : “ The Ulu Pandan wastewater demonstration plant features a novel combination of treatment processes which include space-efficient inclined lamella primary settling tanks and a membrane bioreactor system . These features shorten the process of wastewater treatment while also reducing energy usage and maximizing biogas production ( which can generate energy ) as well as help reduce plant footprint . [ It ] uses deep tunnel sewers to convey used water entirely by gravity to … coastal areas .” Evidently , this system is very progressive as it reduces energy consumption by using gravity to filter and dispose of wastewater . 1
REFERENCE
1 . https :// www . eco-business . com / press-releases / singapores-advanced-wastewater-treatment-technologies-winsglobal-recognition /#:~: text = The % 20DTSS % 20uses % 20deep % 20tunnel , effluent % 20discharged % 20to % 20the % 20sea
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ABOUT THE EXPERT
Jeremy Carroll has worked in the material and fluid handling industry for more than 15 years . He has had roles in engineering design , applications engineering , production management and new product development . Jeremy ’ s current role of knife gate valve product manager for ITT Engineered Valves has a wide-ranging scope and often leads to front line involvement in industries including water / wastewater , pulp and paper , power , mining , and petrochemicals .
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www . valve-world-americas . net • September 2022 | Valve World Americas 17