ABB Technology Powers Clean Drinking Water in Rastatt

ABB Technology Powers Clean Drinking Water in Rastatt

Introduction

Stadtwerke Rastatt, a dedicated municipal utility company, ensures a reliable supply of pristine drinking water to the charming town of Rastatt, Germany. The Rauental waterworks, a vital component of this system, draws a significant portion of its raw water from the Murg River, a tributary of the majestic Rhine.

A Challenge and a Solution

In 2012, a concerning discovery emerged: traces of per- and polyfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) were detected in the raw water. This alarming situation necessitated a comprehensive modernization of the waterworks. ABB‘s cutting-edge drive and control technology played a crucial role in ensuring the uninterrupted flow of clean water to the community.

A Complete Overhaul

To address the PFC contamination, the waterworks underwent a complete overhaul from November 2016 to February 2018. This extensive renovation involved implementing a partial flow hardening process and installing a state-of-the-art activated carbon filtration system. ABB‘s advanced control and drive technology seamlessly integrated into this revitalization project.

A Clean and Efficient Process

The newly installed activated carbon filtration system, a marvel of engineering, effectively removes PFCs, ensuring compliance with stringent EU Drinking Water Directive standards. This system comprises four massive tanks filled with activated carbon, each capable of purifying an impressive 1.5 million liters of water daily. The treated water undergoes a hardening process to match the quality of water from the Ottersdorf waterworks before being distributed to the network.

ABB’s Role in Ensuring Reliability

At the heart of the waterworks’ operations lies an ABB AC500 PLC, a powerful controller that oversees all water treatment and transport processes. This intelligent system, coupled with ABB‘s efficient drives, controls a network of pumps, including deep well pumps, intermediate pumps, and greywater pumps. The integration of ABB‘s dedicated water libraries enhances the system’s capabilities, enabling advanced pump functions, data storage, remote access, and reliable data transmission.

A Successful Partnership

Alwin Eppler, a renowned engineering company, provided the engineering expertise and technical equipment for the waterworks’ transformation. Jürgen Kieninger, project manager at Alwin Eppler, expressed his satisfaction with the choice of ABB technology: “The AC500 PLC‘s scalability, power, and reliability were key factors in our decision. Its proven track record in the water industry made it the ideal choice. Furthermore, the integration of IE5 synchronous reluctance motors necessitated compatible drives, and ABB‘s offerings perfectly met this requirement, ensuring safe operation, process reliability, and energy efficiency.”

A User-Friendly Experience

Tobias Meisch, a water technician at the Rauental waterworks, praised the user-friendliness of ABB‘s technology: “The drives are incredibly easy to operate. The interchangeable displays streamline parameter updates, making maintenance and adjustments a breeze.”

Unparalleled Service and Support

Meisch also highlighted the exceptional service provided by ABB: “We’ve been consistently impressed by the customer service. The hotline has been a reliable resource, and when we needed assistance with parameter adjustments on a replacement pump, a service technician promptly arrived to provide support.”

A Brighter Future for Rastatt’s Water Supply

Stadtwerke Rastatt’s commitment to providing clean, safe drinking water is evident in the successful modernization of the Rauental waterworks. With ABB‘s advanced technology at the core of this operation, Rastatt can confidently look forward to a future of reliable and high-quality water supply.

More ABB AC500 Products: