Siemens also offers a biological process-optimization program that evaluates specific cost factors such as energy use, labor and disposal. The program integrates several key wastewater operations, including biological operations and solids separation, treatment and control, to significantly reduce energy costs. For example, in the United States, a California wastewater treatment plant equipped with a Cannibal® interchange bioreactor system from Siemens reduced biosolids production by 70% and the aeration requirement from its aerobic digester by more than 90%.

Plant owners can also save on costs by adding control and telemetry systems that make the whole process more efficient. For example, the Link2Site® Flex system is a wireless-to-web remote monitoring and control solution that can be added to equipment or processes to optimize operation through reduced maintenance and service costs.

Siemens is leading the way in research into and development of new technologies or processes that re-use the energy produced during wastewater treatment. Mechanically Enhanced Biodrying (MEB), for example, is being developed in response to industry requests for a versatile end product that can be used for fertilizer or fuel and be created with less energy than standard thermal drying technologies.

Research on a “green” solution for wastewater treatment is underway at Siemens’ global R&D center in Singapore. The new process, which extracts energy from municipal wastewater, will result in a 30% lower solids yield. It will see energy content in wastewater harvested as biogas and converted to energy in plants that approach energy independence. The lower solids volume produced will mean lower handling costs for owners and reduced transportation and management costs.