Innovative use for stormwater attenuation management
All new properties developed in the Ekurhuleni region , regardless of the size , are required to submit a stormwater management plan to the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality . To meet this prerequisite , the consulting engineers , Mhiduve , developed an innovative stormwater attenuation management system using Technicrete ’ s Aqua Zig Zag sustainable urban drainage systems ( SUDS ) and DZZ interlocking pavers on the new Columbia pharmaceutical factory development in Boksburg .
Deon Slabbert , project engineer from Mhiduve , commented , “ We believe that the successful management of the stormwater element at this new factory required an innovative approach due to space challenges we faced on site . In addition to permeable paving used as a covering for attenuation ponds , we used the company ’ s interlocking pavers over areas of 3 000m 2 and 1 200m 2 , respectively , below the permeable paving that had capacity to hold 1 600m 3 of stormwater .
“ The paving blocks are in fact ‘ slotted ’ paving blocks , which allow the stormwater to penetrate the surface through these slots and be collected in the unique layer works underneath the paving surface , from where it can be released in a controlled manner into the system of the local authority . The SUDS are increasingly being used to prevent run-off and flooding , as well as being a method of collecting , attenuating , and cleaning stormwater ,” said Slabbert .
The Technicrete SUDS allows heavy rain to infiltrate through a permeable concrete block paved surface into a unique sub-base before being released in a controlled manner into sewers or water courses .
The Technicrete SUDS allows heavy rain to infiltrate through a permeable concrete block paved surface into a unique sub-base before being released in a controlled manner into sewers or water courses .
“ The DZZ interlocking pavers offer a hard-wearing surface overlay for traditional applications such as commercial and industrial roadways , depots , suburban streets , petrol station forecourts , as well as residential driveways and pavements ,” said Slabbert .
Vane-tastic flowmeter
The vane technology principle , a method of measuring and monitoring the flow of different media through piping , has been proven worldwide .
Kobold , represented locally by Instrotech , has on offer a new rotating vane flow meter : the equipment of choice whenever traditional impeller technology is to be used for the measuring or monitoring of volumetric flow rates . The modular design of this type makes the system universal in use , and inexpensive and space saving in operation .
The DFT completely fulfils the requirements of industry for efficient and low-cost production methods . Due to the option of PTFE housing , users get a resistant and highly reliable measurement system for operation in aggressive media .
The wide measuring range of 0.2 – 2.0l / min up to 3 – 60l / min means that DFT rotating vane flow meters can be used for a wide variety of applications . With a maximum operating temperature of 80 ° C and a maximum pressure of 16 bar ( if the brass housing is used ), this device can be used for almost all process conditions .
The heart of the impeller is a securely embedded ring magnet that is hermetically sealed against the respective medium . It transfers the rotation of the impeller to a Hall sensor fixed to the housing with a space-saving attachment . This sensor in turn transforms the rotational movements into a frequency signal in proportion to the volumetric flow . The downstream electronic evaluation unit then transforms the signal into either a digital display or an analogue normalised signal , or it can be used to switch up to two limit contacts . LEDs show operational readiness and switching state of the limit value relay . Also , counter or dosage electronics can be used .
In combination with the electronic unit , this system provides extremely accurate measuring results under difficult conditions .
Typical applications are in cooling water monitoring , general mechanical engineering , wastewater treatment , all heavy goods industry , and in the chemical industry .
The wide measuring range of 0.2 – 2.0l / min up to 3 – 60l / min means that DFT rotating vane flow meters can be used for a wide variety of applications .
30 Water Sewage & Effluent May / June 2017