UPM, Jämsänkoski Mill

UPM-Kymmene, Jämsänkoski Mill

Wastewater Treatment Plant General Information

  • Water flow, Q 30 000-35 000 m3/d
  • COD load 50 -70 t/d
  • Incoming water to Equalization basin is 40-42 °C, occasionally 47-48 °C
  • Maximum volume of Equalization basin 15 000 m3
  • Level of water varies between 3-5 m

Equalization basin before Installation of AIRIT Aerator

Equalization Basin was equipped with four (4) units of Fuchs surface aerators for aeration and mixing. Mixing was not adequate and amounts of sludge were forming in the middle of the basin. Dredging of the sludge was costly and time consuming. There were problems to place huge amounts of sludge with bad odours. There was a major need for efficient mixing.

Actions – Equalization Basin with AIRIT-aerator

In spring 2008, one AIRIT 700 aerator unit was delivered for one month’s trial. The aerator was placed in the middle of the Equalization Basin. During the trial AIRIT 700 proved to be a strong and efficient mixer, lifting sludge from the bottom of the basin. The mill purchased the aerator before the end of the trial period. According to the staff the need for future dredging is minimal or non existent.

Equalization basin at the present time

  • The aeration capacity of aeration basins can not be increased
  • Lack of aeration capacity may become a restriction for the production capacity of the Mill
  • The Mill wanted to secure the EQ basins adequate mixing, aeration and cooling in summer 2009  they ordered 4 pcs AIRIT 700’s and 2 pcs COOLIT 16000 more
  • At the present time in the EQ basin, there are 5 units of AIRIT 700 aerators and 2 units of COOLIT 16000 coolers to give the following benefits:
  • Efficient mixing, all the way to the bottom
  • Aeration capacity doubles in the Equalization basin due to AIRIT aerator
  • 5 x AIRIT 700 + 2 x COOLIT 16000 cool down wastewater with 10 °C  to a temperature of 38 °C at a water flow of 400 l/s

Cooling of wastewate

  • The Mill has to cool the wastewater in summer time approximately 5 months. Incoming wastewater is max 48 °C

BEFORE

  • They were cooling the wastewater with 3 cooling towers
  • Cooling towers could not cool the wastewater under 40 °C in midsummer

AT THE PRESENT TIME

  • Five AIRIT 700 aerators and two COOLIT 16000 coolers cool the wastewater also in the warmest time of the year to 37 – 38 °C
  • 3 Cooling towers are no longer needed.

Significant Energy and Maintenance Cost Savings

ENERGY CONSUMPTION BEFORE

  • Cooling towers and aerators used energy in summer 106 560 kWh / month
  • Aerators used energy in winter 54 720 kWh / month

ENERGY CONSUMPTION AT THE PRESENT TIME

  • AIRIT 700 aerators and COOLIT coolers use energy in summer 63 360 kWh / month
  • AIRIT 700 aerators use energy in winter 38 880 kWh / month
  • AIRIT aerators are in AC drive control so energy consumption is even lower than above
  • The need for maintenance and therefore the maintenance costs of Waterix COOLIT-coolers is much less than that of cooling towers
  • ENERGY SAVINGS ARE AT LEAST 326 880 kWh / YEAR AND SYSTEM’S PAY-BACK TIME IS LESS THAN 3 YEARS

Summary

A need at UPM Jämsänkoski mill’s Equalization basin was to improve:

1. Mixing
2. Cooling
3. Aeration

With Waterix AIRIT 700 aerators and COOLIT 16000 coolers the Mill is able to improve simultaneously all Equalization basin problem areas.