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Revolutionizing Wastewater Treatment: PCI Gases’ LP2LP Oxygen Enrichment System

PCI Gases’ Innovative LP2LP Oxygen Enrichment Process Revolutionizes Wastewater Treatment

By Brendan van Wyk: Director Water & Wastewater Segment

Meeting Demand for Energy-Efficient Wastewater Treatment

To address rising demands for cost-effective and energy-efficient wastewater treatment, PCI Gases has introduced the LP2LP™ (low pressure to low pressure) oxygen enrichment system. This system utilizes PCI’s advanced VSA DOCS (Deployable Oxygen Concentration Systems) units to concentrate oxygen from the atmosphere. At low pressure, it employs market-leading venturi injector and nozzle components to mix oxygen efficiently in an aeration basin.

By integrating this system, treatment facilities can reduce energy consumption by at least 15% compared to conventional aeration methods. The increased oxygen availability can boost plant treatment capacity by up to 50%. Additionally, this process lowers capital expenditures (CAPEX) by nearly 30% compared to other super-oxygenation systems. This innovation enhances operational efficiency while cutting costs for wastewater treatment facilities.

PCI’s DOCS Systems: Advanced Oxygen Generation

PCI Gases’ VSA (Variable Swing Adsorption) technology eliminates many design challenges associated with traditional PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) systems. A single oil-free blower handles both oxygen production and waste gas removal from a single adsorption bed. Operating at a lower pressure prevents environmental humidity from affecting the system, extending the lifespan of the adsorption bed.

Generating oxygen at low pressure minimizes the energy required for compression, leading to cost savings. PCI’s DOCS 80, DOCS 200, DOCS 500, and larger DOCS 2500 and DOCS 5000 oxygen generators provide a plug-and-play solution for wastewater treatment plants. These systems optimize energy efficiency by supplying oxygen at just the right pressure to maintain an effective flow through venturi injectors.

Venturi Injection: Efficient Oxygen Delivery

Venturi injectors, such as Mazzei’s high-efficiency differential pressure injectors, optimize oxygen mixing within a water stream. Internal mixing vanes create thousands of microbubbles, increasing gas-liquid contact and enhancing solubility. Since these injectors have no moving parts, maintenance is minimal, reducing operating costs.

A low-horsepower recirculation pump provides the motive force needed to control pressure and flow through the injectors. This setup creates a vacuum at the suction port, drawing in oxygen and mixing it efficiently within the first few inches of the pipe. The oxygenated water then moves through a nozzle manifold into an open wastewater tank, blending seamlessly into the system while providing mixing energy.

LP2LP Operation: Lowering Total Cost of Ownership

The LP2LP enrichment system optimizes oxygen dissolution at the lowest cost by combining the low-pressure oxygen stream from PCI Gases’ DOCS units with the low-pressure venturi injectors. By properly sizing the recirculation pump, the system ensures efficient mixing energy while minimizing CAPEX. No complex installation or high-pressure components are required, allowing wastewater plants to save on energy costs while improving treatment capacity and effluent discharge quality.

Intelligent System Control

PCI Gases’ DOCS units feature a mass flow controller that supplies oxygen based on plant demand. A dissolved oxygen sensor in the aeration basin regulates oxygen delivery, with a high turndown ability ensuring load-following capabilities. If demand drops, the DOCS system enters sleep mode to save energy. Remote monitoring allows operators to track system performance from anywhere.

This flexibility ensures smooth wastewater treatment operations, even with fluctuating effluent volumes and qualities. By integrating advanced VSA technology with high-efficiency venturi injectors, PCI’s LP2LP system delivers a cost-effective, low-energy wastewater treatment solution. It reduces energy consumption, lowers operational costs, and increases treatment capacity by up to 50% while ensuring precise oxygen control and improved effluent quality.

As wastewater treatment facilities work to meet strict environmental regulations, the LP2LP™ system offers an innovative solution that sets new industry benchmarks. For detailed specifications and implementation strategies, visit www.pcigases.com.

VSA Technology

To produce oxygen from air, PCI uses a proprietary Vacuum Swing Adsorption (VSA) process that eliminates many of the design problems associated with traditional on-site gas separation systems (PSA). Our innovative VSA system eliminates the need for process valves, feed air compressors, associated dryers and feed air filtering systems. Our robust VSA oxygen process extracts maximum sieve and power efficiencies = low cost (both CapX and OpX) high purity oxygen generation. Oxygen produced is 93% purity. Additional product/systems features include load following, remote monitoring and diagnostics along with an industry only 10-year warranty on the adsorber bed vessel. Average life span of our systems is 10-15+ years.

About PCI Gases

PCI Gases, headquartered in Riverside, California, is a global leader in advanced on-site gas generation systems. Specializing in Vacuum Swing Adsorption (VSA) technology for oxygen production, the company has been delivering innovative gas separation solutions since 1984. PCI Gases serves a wide range of industries, including medical, industrial, aquaculture, biogas, water treatment, and military applications.

With a mission to empower industries by providing autonomy in oxygen and nitrogen supply, PCI Gases helps clients reduce costs and improve sustainability. Their vision is to decentralize gas supply, offering economical and environmentally responsible solutions worldwide. Through a commitment to innovation and operational efficiency, PCI Gases continues to reshape industries and enhance the total cost of ownership for their customers.