Nothing is more satisfying than helping our clients meet their water and energy goals. Here are just a few organizations that are benefiting from using our Symphony water management software platform.
Global Banking Company
Saving water through real-time data
A commercial building occupied by a global banking company in the southeast had a goal to save approximately 8% of the facility’s overall water usage over a 12-month period. The water savings needed to be achieved while operating within narrow, critical physical and chemical limitations as set forth by the facility and financial institution’s operational guidelines.
To fulfill these limitations, each cooling system was equipped with Aquanomix’s water management software platform, SymphonyTM Software, for real-time water system monitoring and alerting on fluctuating system conditions. The software pulls data points from the Building Automation System (BAS) as well as the water treatment controller to build the cause and effect relationship between water quality and heat exchange efficiency.
The results of the cooling water use optimization study were a success and reduced potable water use at the facility. In the 3-month evaluation, the client was able to reduce water consumption by 30%, adhere to a strict 1-2 ppm free chlorine to mitigate microbes, and keep plate-and-frame heat exchanger log mean temperature differential (LMTD) stable within operating guidelines by using the Symphony water management software platform to oversee the water system through real-time data monitoring,
Symphony successfully helped our client save water and mitigate risks that threaten capital asset preservation, operational expenses, and life safety.
Large Hospital
Using real-time data to solve tower overflow issue
In 2022, this hospital had a tower cleanout. After the tower cleanout, the system was unable to get back to a normal conductivity range. With help from Aquanomix’s Account Management team, the hospital used Symphony data plus a site visit to determine the issue.
The team concluded if both cooling towers were running, they could not stabilize water levels, so ultimately there was an overflow event. We suggested turning off one cooling tower while running one - this fixed the problem and conductivity got back within range.
During this time, the client used a lot of excess water (approximately 225K gallons) due to more makeup water being added than normal. By helping them solve the problem, the client was able to reduce makeup water usage and get the system back to a normal range.
Additionally, while on-site, the Account Management discovered that the equalizer line was dirty (water coming out was not clean and there were clumps of dirt/sludge). We worked with their water treater to come up with a plan to clean out the equalizer line further to avoid Legionella colonization in the future.
Medical Center Study
Reduction of Biofilm through proactive water system monitoring
The research study analyzed 500 days of data generated from the central energy plant in a medical center located in the southeastern US. Specifically, the oxidizing biocide relay, oxidation-reduction potential of the water, and biofilm sensor data were analyzed for interdependencies and/or correlations.
Recorded higher ORP levels, minimized biofilm growth, and decreased amount present
The ORP is an indirect measurement technique of oxidant presence. ORP values of greater than 650 mV have been well-documented for potable water for complete elimination of E. coli (WHO, 1971) and, specifically for Legionella, an ORP of 679 mV “...killed 100 percent of Legionella present at a concentration of ~ 2 x 106 CFU/mL…” (CDC and Special Pathogens Laboratory, 2018).
The quantification of biofilm thickness by the Canary provides a novel approach to managing life safety risk present in cooling water systems. In this research study, the client was able to significantly decrease biofilm population in their central energy plant cooling water system through the application of SymphonyTM and Canary technology. Through the use of Symphony’s IoT platform, life safety risk was minimized. By better managing life safety risk, heat transfer surfaces became cleaner, resulting in energy cost savings of up to 5% per year.
For example, a 1200-ton chiller plant with a 0.3-mm thick biofilm layer will have additional wasted energy costs of $63,245 per year. This is based off of a chiller efficiency of 0.61 kW/ton, 3000-ton hours of operation per year and energy costs of $0.09 per kWh. The Symphony water management software platform empowers owners to take proactive control over capital, operational, and life safety risks through our IoT platform.