Editor's Choice Products at WEFTEC 21 in Chicago

From October 18th to October 20th, water and wastewater professionals gathered at McCormick Place in Chicago to participate in WEFTEC, the premier trade show of the Water Environment Association. This year is the first live broadcast of WEFTEC since the start of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. Despite its small footprint and reduced attendance, the show lived up to expectations: powerful educational conferences and many exciting exhibitor products were brought to the market.

Throughout the event, our editors visited the exhibitor booths in the exhibition hall and introduced the products they saw on Twitter. The following is a compilation of these products, which are categorized as new products that debuted at the exhibition or featured products with existing market influence.

Very similar to the ACE of the American Water Association, the WEFTEC of the Water Environment Federation is an important exhibition for launching new products, and 2021 is no exception. For the first time since 2019, exhibitors can launch new products at the industry's premier live event. The following are some of the things WWD editors experienced at the exhibition.

KSB Solutions has introduced a new type of submersible pump with an updated and improved hydraulic design designed to reduce and eliminate wear and clogging problems, such as those caused by wipes. It is made of cast iron with a high chromium content, which resists abrasion and grit. This hardened metallurgy is also one of the defining characteristics of the new hydraulic design. 

The company also demonstrated the Amaslide option for horizontal installation of the pump. This option fixes the pump on the guide rail, so that the pump can slide horizontally to open, so that you can easily access the inside of the pump and the impeller for maintenance and cleaning.

@KSBUSA showed off a new pump with Amarex ARX D-Max on #WEFTEC, including a patented hydraulic system pic.twitter.com/fbiaFzjMNa

-Water and Waste Digest (@WWDMag) October 20, 2021

Asahi-America Inc. released 19 series actuators, and displayed three models on WEFTEC, covering different sizes and specifications. Each unit is firmware-driven and can be used for switching, modulation, and fail-safe conditions. According to Asahi-America, they are "small, compact and powerful." The device can be equipped with a 1.3-inch OLED display for troubleshooting, programming and local operation. It can also be in a smaller form factor, making it ideal for skid manufacturers and OEMs.

#WEFTEC's last booth visit was @AsahiAmerica. They showed off the new 19 series electric actuators in various sizes. pic.twitter.com/OLCp6lga8N

-Water and Waste Digest (@WWDMag) October 20, 2021

The Texler sheet clarifier is the latest clarifier designed by Leopold, a company of Xylem. The real progress here is in the materials, especially the HDPE sidewalls and the geotextile hydrophobic mesh used for the clarifier panes. These materials are designed to reduce capital and installation costs, while reducing weight to simplify maintenance and operation. Each sheet can be inserted into another sheet using the J-shaped hook to expand or shrink the number of sheets to fit any rectangular clarifier. 

Meet Matt Schomaker and Ralph Franco at #WEFTEC @Leopold_US Texler Lamella Clarifier@Wedeco_US Duron 8 pic.twitter.com/0y7HD7RkbW to discuss the latest @XylemInc products

-Water and Waste Digest (@WWDMag) October 19, 2021

Wedeco Duron 8 is an extension of Xylem's open channel ultraviolet (UV) disinfection system. Xylem claims that through testing and mathematical modeling, Duron 8 has a proven transmission flow range of 20% to 75%, which makes the device a potential part of the water reuse problem for some utilities. The UV lamp has a rated operating time of 14,000 hours, and by using a mobile app, the operator can obtain information about daily flow, UV intensity and UV dose. The app also helps in troubleshooting. From a security perspective, Xylem says that the app connects via Bluetooth, but requires a verified signature from the device to connect.

Now we continue to use @Wedeco_US Duron 8, which is an extension of the company’s open channel UV disinfection system. #WEFTEC pic.twitter.com/ox4RaAcrUJ

-Water and Waste Digest (@WWDMag) October 19, 2021

These new exhaust valves from Flo-matic comply with AIS standards and are manufactured in New York. The size of the standard valve under pressure is from ⅜ inch to 1 inch, and the size of other models is from ½ inch to 2 inches.

Quickly visit the @FlomaticValves booth to see some new products. They have these exhaust valves. #WEFTEC pic.twitter.com/hk9xC6IBZU

-Water and Waste Digest (@WWDMag) October 19, 2021

Schneider Electric demonstrated its latest version of EcoStruxture software, version 21.2. The goal of this version is to take a step towards general automation. For example, Schneider Electric recalled many years ago that Windows and Apple computers could not work together because of the hardware they used. They said the problem is still spreading in many factories across the United States, but through EcoStruxture, they are trying to change the situation by opening up communication between devices that normally cannot communicate with each other. They say this will enable utility companies to use first-class hardware in their facilities without feeling trapped in the ecosystem of that particular hardware provider.

Quickly visit the @FlomaticValves booth to see some new products. They have these exhaust valves. #WEFTEC pic.twitter.com/hk9xC6IBZU

-Water and Waste Digest (@WWDMag) October 19, 2021

Industrial Flow Solutions highlighted its new Deragger product line. These devices are divided into three versions with different functional levels. It is installed in the pump control panel and starts with identifying the torque curve of the pump. Once it understands the normal torque curve of the pump, it will observe when it leaves the expected range. When the pump deviates from its torque curve, the Deragger Pro version tells the pump to run a cleaning cycle. It can also trigger an alarm to remind the operator, and integrate with VFD or soft start for additional functions. The Pro version also has an HMI PLC touch screen with many bells and whistles integrated with SCADA. The Lite version will do all the things Pro does — torque curves and cleaning cycles — but no screens or other bells and whistles. Starting with Deragger Lite, the power monitor provides motor protection, but does not tell the pump to run a cleaning cycle.

At the @industrial_flow booth. They are showing off their new Deragger product. #WEFTEC pic.twitter.com/DliNWqy621

-Water and Waste Digest (@WWDMag) October 18, 2021

The following products include some newly released products, but most of them have established market shares in the water and wastewater industries. Nonetheless, these products are unique on WEFTEC 21 because their manufacturers recognize the utility challenges and believe that these solutions specifically address these problems.

Mueller once again emphasized its Sentryx platform. The software is constantly evolving and changing to meet market demands. Mueller stated that it aims to be a single management platform for utility operators and managers to immediately understand their power distribution system without the need to cross-reference with other software, spreadsheets or documents.

Earlier this year, Mueller acquired i2O from the United Kingdom, a data logger company from the United Kingdom, which has now been integrated into the Sentryx platform. i2O equipment provides pressure and flow measurement, with advanced pressure management expertise. Mueller said it uses key control pressure algorithms to optimize system data points and better manage pressure. They pointed out that this would result in lower pressures, so that high enough pressures can be used to avoid customer complaints to ensure that pipeline ruptures are reduced.

Now at the @MuellerWaterPro booth, they showed off a new data logger unit integrated with the Sentryx platform. #WEFTEC pic.twitter.com/o91oQTbf7H

-Water and Waste Digest (@WWDMag) October 18, 2021

PPG acquired Raven Lining Systems earlier this year, which resulted in the company offering a set of 12 coating products on the market. PPG provided support during the design phase of the project, and the acquisition of Raven Lining Systems filled the company's product gap. More importantly, Raven Lining Systems coatings need "qualified applicators" to install their products. After joining PPG, the network of qualified painters has been expanded, which means that access to Raven Lining Systems coating technology has also increased.

Stop in front of #WEFTEC's @PPG booth. Today, they emphasized how their products have grown through the acquisition of @RavenLining Systems. This means there are 12 coating systems in the product portfolio (see below). #WEFTEC pic.twitter.com/i5GZlZ1rjw

-Water and Waste Digest (@WWDMag) October 18, 2021

Sedaru OMNI is a software platform for operation and maintenance personnel to track and optimize the work they do throughout the utility. For many utilities, paper work orders are the main way to get the job done. Sedarus said that their software can improve supervisor visibility and employee accountability by organizing work orders on a calendar with historical work references and smart routing. They pointed out that smart routing is integrated with GIS to complete the work and will provide the best routing for field technicians to process all work orders in their queue. 

@AquaInformatics visited the booth for the first time that day! They are talking about their software suite, but especially @SedaruLive OMNI. #WEFTEC pic.twitter.com/Uulldtcb1B

-Water and Waste Digest (@WWDMag) October 19, 2021

Sentinel AIQ and WaterIQ products are all about algae and biofilm management. These devices emit ultrasonic waves to disrupt the blue-green algae circulation in the water through gentle agitation. WaterIQ compares it to an opera singer smashing a wine glass with sound due to proper resonance. They pointed out that it is essentially creating a harmless turbulence that prevents biofilms from growing, which is different from the way biofilms cannot form at the bottom of a waterfall. It does not require chemicals and minimizes the impact on aquaculture. They can be installed on the clarifier to solve the problem of biofilm.

@AquaInformatics visited the booth for the first time that day! They are talking about their software suite, but especially @SedaruLive OMNI. #WEFTEC pic.twitter.com/Uulldtcb1B

-Water and Waste Digest (@WWDMag) October 19, 2021

Hayward Flow Control demonstrated its valves and actuators on WEFTEC 21. One such actuator is now officially rated as explosion-proof and can drive all types of valves in the Hayward Flow Controls product line. They pointed out that the valve is thermoplastic and can be installed with actuators, traditional gearboxes, and even levers that can be operated with one hand.

Some butterfly valve pictures on the @HaywardFlowCtrl booth at #WEFTEC pic.twitter.com/DAvzcx2A8T

-Water and Waste Digest (@WWDMag) October 19, 2021

In 2005, Victaulic modified its joints and connecting grooves, adding a chamfer. By doing so, it opens the door for coupling and connection, and can now deal with dynamic movements from earth subsidence, pressure changes, and even earthquakes. Victaulic was the original designer of mechanical groove joints and improved the technology to make it more modern, more effective and easier to install. The smaller coupling requires only two bolts, while the larger one requires only four bolts. Compared with flanges, flanges require much less man-hours. Flanges may have more than 50 bolts and have strict requirements. The torque requirements and the very specific installation process.

Editor's note: Wayne Biery's name was misspelled in the initial tweet below. We regret the mistake. In addition, the above paragraph has been edited for accuracy and clarity.

In the @Victaulic booth, Wayne Burry and Chris Sundberg talked about joints and pipe connections, especially how to deal with angular deflection force pic.twitter.com/jtCyXKfP1w

-Water and Waste Digest (@WWDMag) October 19, 2021

Alleid Molded Products showcased their fiberglass and polycarbonate shells. They said that polycarbonate materials are more suitable for indoor applications, while fiberglass materials are durable and flexible, making them suitable for outdoor use. The glass fiber is mixed with a compound to protect it from the sun's ultraviolet rays. Regardless of the material, Allied Molded Products can customize the mold according to the color you choose, and you can see the inside regardless of the window. They are available in various sizes, all the way up to 72-inch two-door options.

@AlliedMouldedPd stopped to take a look at their fiberglass and polycarbonate shell. #WEFTEC pic.twitter.com/udm9D1rW57

-Water and Waste Digest (@WWDMag) October 20, 2021

Charter Machine, known for its belt press and screw press, now offers ELODE, an electro-osmotic dehydrator made in Korea. They said that this type of dehydrator can extract solids from any dehydration equipment (belt press, centrifuge or screw press) and double the solids by using a DC electric field. For example, if you have 18% solids entering, it will appear at 36-40%. According to CharterMachine, it takes only two minutes to complete without applying pressure or heat. CharterMachine is supplying all parts and components for the equipment in China, and will transfer this 20-year-old technology to the US market.

Wander around the @chartermachine1 booth to see their electro-osmotic dehydrator called Elode. #WEFTEC pic.twitter.com/cDRYwP1xiO

-Water and Waste Digest (@WWDMag) October 20, 2021

This article was produced by WWD staff. To contact the staff, please email [email protected].

The Water and Waste Digest staff invites industry professionals to nominate what they consider to be the most outstanding and innovative water and wastewater projects to be recognized in the annual reference guide question. All projects must be in the design or construction stage within the past 18 months.

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