EPA 2000 is a product and Trademark of Entech Design, Inc.

Expansion Pro Analyzer is an application specific instrument designed to measure media expansion in granular media filters. EPA 2000^TM also monitors media level between backwash cycles - i.e. while the filter is in service. EPA 2000^TM employs EDI's highly effective underwater acoustic sensing technology to provide an accurate and cost-effective solution to this critical measurement requirement.

Municipal surface water plants typically have from 4-40 filters at one site with perhaps 6-12 as a reasonable range of average number. It is important to note that in surface water treatment plants, filtration is the primary treatment process - and backwashing is the primary means to keep the filters functioning properly. These are not ancillary or secondary processes. They are absolutely fundamental to production of the final product - safe drinking water!

Granular Gravity Filters
As the name states, these filters use a granular media to filter impurities and sediment from raw water. Filter media is typically sand, anthracite or granular activated carbon (GAC). Often two types of media are layered in the filter, for example: anthracite or GAC over sand. Media expansion varies with size and type of media, uniformity of grain size and backwash water temperature. Media size and uniformity changes over time as the media grains break down or "wear" from use and frequent backwashing. Backwashing frequency varies widely across plants and even across filters within a particular plant, typically ranging from once in 12 hours to once in 120 hours. However, experts recommend backwashing at least once every 60 hours regardless of other factors. Filters are typically washed when head pressure exceeds established norms or when turbidity "breakthrough" is noted.

Optional Backwash Turbidity Sensor

You're familiar with the BinMinder 9300-ETS that combines sludge level and effluent turbidity in one sensor for clarifiers. The same cost effective combination is now available for Expansion Pro Analyzer. You get these features and benefits, and more: Dual parameter sensor provides highly cost effective measurement of media expansion and backwash turbidity. Expanion measurement optimizes filter cleaning, and turbidity measurement reduces wash run-time - while assuring consistent filter cleaning in each wash cycle. Plants increase filter efficiency, eliminate waste of finished water, and reduce wear and tear on plant pumps, motors and other equipment. Key measurements are the final components of an effective, automated backwash system.

Dual Parameter Sensor - Media Expansion & Turbidity

Recent studies, illustrated below, show how a backwash turbidity measurement in the filter (red line) can reduce wash run time significantly while providing a control point for automated control systems. The downstream measurement (blue line) lags real-time reporting by 3.25 minutes - resulting in tremendous, unnecessary finished water usage.