Wastewater bar screens are a vital part of wastewater treatment facilities and are highly efficient. Bar screens are used to remove larger solids and debris from the water before it’s moved to the downstream equipment. Because it plays a crucial role in your plant’s overall efficiency, it’s important to ensure it is up to date with upgrades and maintenance to keep plant efficiency at a maximum and maintain good downstream equipment performance. Bar screen upgrades can be overlooked, but they are impactful investments that should be considered if you are looking to get the most out of your facility. Let’s explore more about when to upgrade your wastewater bar screen and how you can improve plant efficiency by doing so.
What Do Bar Screens Do in Wastewater Treatment Facilities?
As we mentioned, bar screens are an important part of wastewater treatment facilities, and they must be kept up to date to achieve maximum performance. Bar screens are used to remove large debris from wastewater before it flows downstream. Typically, they will remove materials such as wood, plastics, wipes, rags, and food waste found inside water. Bar screens protect downstream equipment, such as pumps, grit removal, and clarifiers, by removing larger debris that could cause problems early. They are crucial for maintaining consistent hydraulic flow throughout the treatment plant. For a wastewater plant to run at full efficiency, bar screens must be maintained, cleaned, and upgraded to perform optimally.
When Should You Upgrade Your Bar Screen?
You should be mindful of your bar screen and its performance to ensure your equipment is running as well as possible. With that said, there are a few signs you can watch for that may indicate it’s time to upgrade your bar screen. Here are some of the common signs that an upgrade is in your future:
Increase in Maintenance Needs
If you notice you need maintenance more frequently, it could be a sign that you need to upgrade your bar screen. For example, if you have frequent clogging or need to manually clean it more frequently, then these are signs that an upgrade may be in the future.
Screen Efficiency Reduction
Your screen should be running efficiently by working properly and maintaining a consistent workload. One of the most common signs of reduced screen efficiency is debris passing through the screen. This is a sure sign that something is off and you are not getting the most effective work from your bar screen. Other signs include inconsistent removal, odor, or aesthetic issues at the headworks. Your screen needs to work efficiently to maintain your workload and ensure wastewater is properly cleaned.
Flow Changes
Facilities often have flow or capacity changes, meaning the plant might expand, there is population growth, or there are inflow and infiltration issues. Simply put, if your screen is no longer sized correctly for your current or peak flows, then it’s time to upgrade to something more fitting.
Rise in Operational Costs
Typically, facilities have the same operational costs, so if you notice an increase in these costs, it can be a sign that something is wrong. Increased energy consumption, greater wear and tear, and rising repair and replacement costs can all signal higher operational costs.
What Happens if You Operate With an Outdated Bar Screen?
Using an outdated bar screen can cause various issues for your plant, making it crucial to stay on top of upgrades to keep it running efficiently. Here are a few risks that come with working with an outdated bar screen:
Negative Impact on Downstream Equipment
Downstream equipment, such as pumps or grit removal systems, is crucial for your overall wastewater facility. That said, not having an upgraded bar screen can allow debris to pass through and reach that downstream area. As a result, the escaped debris can harm downstream equipment, exacerbating the problem.
Regulatory Concerns
With a bar screen that isn’t working properly, you can have more escaped debris and a facility that isn’t working as efficiently. This can be a cause for concern when it comes to regulatory and compliance needs, as these regulations often include the efficiency and sanitation of your equipment/facility.
Safety Risks
Manual cleaning can pose safety risks, so it’s important to maintain equipment to keep manual cleaning to a minimum. Manual cleaning can be effective, but it can also be dangerous, which is why it’s important to keep your equipment up and running to reduce the need for manual cleaning.
Risk of Shutdowns
Equipment issues can cause a risk of shutdowns especially when it comes to your bar screen. Shutdowns can occur if increased maintenance is required, leaving the facility inoperable during the maintenance.
What to Consider Before Upgrading Your Bar Screen
If you are considering upgrading your bar screens, it might be helpful to know when it is best to do so. One thing to consider is the downtime required to upgrade the car screen, which makes it essential to do the upgrades during planned expansions or plant upgrades. Consider your maintenance costs and how they compare to replacement costs. When you are spending more on maintenance than on replacements, it is a sign you should consider a bar screen upgrade. Lastly, a long-term asset management strategy is key to understanding where bar screen upgrades fit. If you are already looking to make changes within your plant, it is beneficial to consider bar screen upgrades as part of those changes.
Lakeside Equipment for Bar Screen Upgrades
Wastewater treatment facilities that have experienced any of the common signs indicating a need for a bar screen upgrade should look into it. If you are experiencing common challenges or feel it might be time for an upgrade, contact us at Lakeside Equipment. We have worked for decades in the wastewater treatment industry and we are knowledgeable about what treatment facilities need and what will benefit their facility. Let’s put together a plan for your upgrade and determine how it can improve the efficiency and overall reliability of your wastewater treatment facility.
