IAZI in Turnaround Phase 3: The Startup

The wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) is back in full operation as of now! After a six-week turnaround (TA) period during which Street 6100 was thoroughly cleaned and intensively maintained, the time had come to safely restart the plant.

How is the startup going?

Before the basins can be refilled, a thorough final inspection takes place. Only when all work is fully and properly completed does the TA team hand the installation back over to the Operations team. A checklist is then used to inspect whether all components have been assembled correctly and whether the security systems are once again functioning properly.

After the safety check, the first water can flow back into the basins. In total, as much as 60,000 m³ of clean water will flow in from the treated water from the other streets. By comparison, that’s about 24 times the capacity of an Olympic-sized swimming pool. As the water level rises, the analytical instruments are reassembled in place. These sensors are crucial for closely monitoring the treatment process and making adjustments as needed. Because they should not be left dry for long periods of time, they were temporarily removed at the beginning of the TA.

Biology gets back on track

When the basins are filled, active sewage sludge and wastewater feed are added. To give the biology time to restart quietly, several days are allotted for this. Hand samples are taken regularly to closely monitor the process and prevent permit violations. In this way, the biological treatment process is gradually reactivated and the IAZI is again ready to treat Chemelot’s wastewater in a safe and sustainable way.

Ready for the future

Behind the success of this TA is the efforts of many. Thank you to everyone who contributed with dedication and skill to a safe and successful execution. Together we ensured that the IAZI was restarted in top condition, ready for the next 15 years.

Team Circle Wastewater Services