AUMA reliability secures major retrofit water project

AUMA actuators have supported a major refurbishment of Boughton Water Treatment Works in Chester. The scheme illustrates AUMA's comprehensive product portfolio, the benefits of its modular technology and its capabilities in providing a retrofit service. Photo: Enpure Limited.

CHESTER, UK, June 23, 2009 -- AUMA actuators have supported a major refurbishment of Boughton Water Treatment Works in Chester. The scheme illustrates AUMA's comprehensive product portfolio, the benefits of its modular technology and its capabilities in providing a retrofit service.

Selection of actuation technology was managed by Enpure and over 80 AUMA actuators have been supplied including quarter-turn and multi-turn products. Remote-mounted electric actuator control systems have been installed for valves with restricted access and AUMA has provided actuation for penstocks.

The focus of this project centered on upgrading a treatment plant. Suppliers needed to work within the constraints of available space between existing structures and it was essential that the water supply was maintained while new technology was installed. This was where AUMA's modular approach to actuation was particularly beneficial as the new valve control technology was installed on site without a break in the water flow.

The Enpure-Morrison Consortium was appointed contractor for the project by Dee Valley Water. Commenting on the adoption of AUMA's actuation technology, Gordon Entwistle, Capital Program Manager for Dee Valley Water said:

AUMA actuators installed at Boughton WTW filter gallery. Photo: Enpure Limited.

"Previously, the works had been largely operator controlled and therefore manually operated. As part of the upgrade we have introduced increased automation: this has meant that all valves on inlets and outlets need to be capable of being remotely controlled and effective at controlling flow / sealing as required. The complete process needs to be reliable and is managed centrally by an intelligent control system that communicates to all the field actuators."

Located just one mile from the historic City of Chester and supplying a population of 100,000 meant that communication with local residents during the refurbishment was essential. Absolute reliability was required and guarantees had to be given of meeting the agreed completion dates. AUMA's forty year track record in the actuation industry, and established credentials supplying Dee Valley Water and its predecessor companies, meant the necessary reliability in meeting project deadlines could be assured.

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