COVER STORY
SMART WATER MANAGEMENT DRIVES THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
smart network communication allows pumps to self-optimise, reducing downtime and maintenance. Pumps are an indispensable component at
the heart of the smooth running of many industrial processes, whether removing waste, cooling or creating steam. Pumps also require close attention: even the failure of a single pump can lead to expensive downtime. Intelligent pumping equipment can provide continuous information on blockages, flows and energy use to self-optimise depending on the load to maximise productivity and energy efficiency. Another critical stage of the
Guy Fitzpatrick, from Xylem Water Solutions, explores solutions in the digital transformation of industrial water management
W
ater is a vital aspect for every stage of the production process across all industries, be that for cleaning,
heating, cooling, or transportation. Whether producing food, pulp and paper, oil and gas, or pharmaceuticals, high-quality and dependable water is critical. But growing water scarcity due to climate
change and rapid urbanisation, coupled with increasingly stringent regulatory and commercial demands, place increasing strain on today’s industries. It demands a fresh focus on how best to optimise industrial processes in the face of these water-related challenges, whilst protecting the environment, the assets, and the bottom line.
Smart thinking is holistic thinking More than 150 billion gallons of water are used every day within the manufacturing, mining, oil and gas and power industries1 estimated cost of some $9 billion2
, with an linked to the
industrial water cycle of acquisition, discharge, treatment and re-use. In Europe, economic activities consume on
average 243 billion cubic metres of water annually3
. Yet such outlay is more often
overshadowed by other factors across the core process. Unplanned downtime is another critical
threat when it is estimated that as many as seven out of ten industrial companies lack awareness of when assets are due for maintenance or upgrade4
16 MARCH 2021 | PROCESS & CONTROL
Guy Fitzpatrick, General Manager – Industry & Infrastructure
threat to uptime, productivity and quality. By taking a holistic approach, considering the system as a whole instead of siloed separate functions, it is possible to find smarter strategies for combining water sourcing and treatment to increase efficiency and financial return – with a smaller carbon footprint to boot.
What is smart water management? Smart solutions can be divided into three main areas: Intelligent equipment, capable of sensing
operating conditions and adapting performance in real time to deliver maximum energy savings. This includes intelligent pumps, mixers, treatment and sensors – which require less monitoring and maintenance thanks to self-optimisation abilities. Smart networks collect information to
provide real-time reactive management of the system. Connected Internet of Things systems collate data to enable more rapid decision-making based on accurate information. This means more reliable water resource management and the ability to deliver products faster and more efficiently to the market. Digital solutions combine real-time data
, creating a very real
from equipment with algorithmic decision support to provide proactive management of the system. For water and wastewater pumps, for example, this means increased reliability and productivity; the collection of data and
water cycle is productive wastewater management and treatment. Directives rightly require that industrial wastewater is effectively treated before release – but regulations covering an ever- growing list of micropollutants and other harmful substances are a serious industrial challenge. Conventional wastewater technologies, for example, can
struggle to efficiently remove these threats to surface water sources without energy- and chemical-intensive processes. Intelligent solutions to analyse and treat
water quality can benefit the entire system. Digitising these processes, harnessing data and monitoring closely, not only ensures compliance but boosts productivity as well as reliability, including freeing up operations managers from time-consuming maintenance and reporting.
Building business advantage Water is increasingly being seen as a precious resource. But in the digital era, smart water management can deliver business advantage too – and the key to significantly reducing total lifecycle costs for industrial customers. Digitising the water cycle across production
lines is a guaranteed route to increased efficiency and greater return. Data, analytics and decision intelligence bring a new generation of benefits to industries all across the UK and Europe, increasing reliability, efficiency, quality and productivity. 1
2018-2022,’ December 2018 2
2015,
https://doi.org/10.3133/cir1441 3
(EEA, 2019) 4
Estimated use of water in the United States in “Water use in Europe - Quantity and quality face
big challenges”, European Environment Agency
Vanson Bourne, “Unplanned Downtime,” 2017 4. Philip K. Verleger, Jr.
Xylem
www.xylem.com/en-uk
Bluefield Research, ‘Opportunities in U.S. Industrial Water: Market Size, Trends & Forecast
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