Summary of Presentation

In 2013, the City of Austin initiated design for the Train A and B Blower Replacement Project to replace the Train A/B blower system damaged during operation. The engineering team analyzed the existing aeration demands and system configuration, identifying an operational deadband that lead to blower surge.

The team developed an approach that would interconnect the blowers for the three trains, thereby creating a single process air system for the facility, and eliminating the deadband. The Blower Replacement Project resulted in a life extension for the SAR facility in the system that is the heart (or perhaps more appropriately, the lungs) of an activated sludge process. The result is significant energy savings, and improved operation. Early procurement of the blowers shortened the construction schedule.

Jason Anderson, a Project Manager with Carollo Engineers, joined in 1996 after completing an MS degree at the University of California, Davis. His career with Carollo has involved planning and design of both water and wastewater facilities, with particular attention to aeration system design, and odor control on the wastewater side, and chemical feed systems and filter design on the water side. He works in Carollo’s Austin office, living in Leander with his wife Beth, son Eli, and daughter Ana.

Brent Bassett, a Supervising Engineer with Austin Water (City of Austin). After working as a consultant for 7 years he joined Austin Water as the South Austin Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Facility Engineer. As the Facility engineer Brent oversaw over 50 million dollars of construction spending while also managing major design work. Brent currently works in the Collection System Engineering Division where he is responsible for scoping Water and Wastewater CIP projects.