FILTRATION PLANT

The Rand Water Zuikerbosh No 3 Station was originally installed and commissioned with a thirty-two filter, 600 Mgℓ/Day capacity completed in 1974, five years later the plant was increased, by thirty-two filters to produce 1200 Mgℓ/Day.

The plant was fully automated utilizing ‘Norbit 2’ logic, PLC’s not being available at that time, and remained operating as an automatic plant until the late nineties. The decision was taken by Rand Water to refurbish and update the automation the contract was awarded to PCI AFRICA.

PCI AFRICA replaced the filter under drain systems and media prior to the contract for the re-automation.

The original air/hydraulic motive system for all valves and sluice gates was replaced with an electrical/pneumatic system. New compressors, receivers and air reticulation system were installed.

Three PLC panels were utilized, two of which each control thirty-two filters, and the third controlling the washing machinery. All communication is by fibre optics. Each block of thirty-two filters can wash independently using two out the three blowers and wash water pumps. The pump delivery manual valves were modified to act as automatic surge control valves. The entire operation can be viewed at a centrally pc based SCADA system at the local control room.

A HMI (Human machine interface) is provided at each block of thirty-two filters for local displays of filter operation and for manual washing if required.