How Equipment Monitoring Technology Can Put the Water Treatment Industry in the F1 Drivers Seat
The introduction of telemetry into Formula One revolutionised the way race cars were able to perform, allowing teams to pre-emptively make changes and repairs to the car based on performance and efficiency data.
This same mindset can – and should – be applied to the water-treatment industry – with equipment-monitoring technology able to revolutionise the way water pumps and systems operate and are maintained.
As the world continues to grapple with climate change related weather events such as an increase in unprecedented heavy rainfall, there is increasing pressure for water treatment facilities to ensure equipment is always operating optimally and efficiently, to reduce the risk of potentially devastating pump failure.
Pumps that aren’t operating correctly or experience a complete failure can result in significant environmental impacts, whereby wastewater ends up polluting beaches and waterways.
Equipment monitoring technology can reduce that risk by providing a real-time, holistic picture of the operational performance of pumps and the system as a whole, flagging even the smallest of efficiency changes long before it becomes a diagnostical problem.
It allows maintenance to become preventative, rather than reactive, which can make all the difference during times of increased demand.
If you consider an F1 team in pit lane noticing an engine glitch long before the driver can ‘feel’ it – equipment monitoring technology can provide insight into how well a particular device is operating at any moment in time, flagging instantly if output or efficiency drops below 100%, which is likely long before the drop in performance becomes visible.
Data can also be used to determine times of peak demand, ensure equipment is operational and online at correct times, and provide sentinel surveillance for pumps and systems that might only be used sporadically.
The ability to read data in real time also removes any disadvantage that might otherwise be experienced by having equipment in remote areas, where notification of equipment failure can be time critical.
Formula One teams collect and analyse significant amounts of data from every drive, which assists to minimise fuel and tyre wastage, as well assess the impact of track temperature and other environmental factors.
Similar data sets can be obtained by effectively monitoring water treatment equipment and systems, providing valuable insight into how the facility operates in various weather conditions, and assisting to minimise wastage in the form of water, time, and money.
It’s important to note that minimising water waste is likely to be a key part of global sustainability efforts into the future, with equipment monitoring technology able to be applied to agriculture and mining industries among others, to maximise sustainability practices.
While considered groundbreaking at the time, telemetry is now virtually a non-negotiable part of Formula One racing.
The water treatment industry – among others – is also sitting on the cusp of revolutionary digital transformation, the likes of which has the potential to change how facilities operate into the future.
