Plant B6 Air Stripper System Replacement
City of Azusa Light & Water
Civiltec Engineering recently completed a comprehensive study of the air stripper system at San Gabriel Valley Water Company’s Plant B6. The primary objective of this study was to assess the existing system and develop a design for replacing the aging and inefficient air stripper system. The goal is to ensure the effective removal of volatile organic compounds, including trichloroethylene and 1,2-Dichloroethane, from the groundwater. The new system is designed to handle a maximum influent trichloroethylene level of 200 parts per billion and a 1,2-Dichloroethane level of 10 parts per billion at a flow rate of 7,800 gallons per minute.
The design includes the installation of three new aluminum air stripper towers, each capable of processing 3,900 gallons per minute. These towers, standing 47 feet tall, will be equipped with 30 feet of packing media to enhance treatment efficacy. The innovative design also includes the use of flow meters and actuators to control the flow into each tower, replacing the older solenoid-controlled Cla-Valves. The construction will be carefully phased to ensure continuous operation of the plant, with existing systems kept online while new systems are installed and tested.
Throughout the study and design phases, Civiltec Engineering has coordinated closely with the City of Baldwin Park to secure the necessary permits and height ordinance variances. The team has also addressed potential noise and visual impacts due to the increased tower height and blower capacity. The project’s success in reaching the design stage is a testament to Civiltec’s commitment to providing reliable and efficient water treatment solutions, meeting both current and future regulatory standards.
The project’s success to date has been driven by a dedicated team of experts. W. David Byrum, PE, serves as the Principal Engineer, ensuring the overall quality and timely completion of the design. Shem Hawes, PE, is managing the project, coordinating the efforts of Project Engineers Steven Walker, PE, and Alec Escamilla, PE, along with Senior Staff Engineer Hao Liu, EIT, Ph.D,. Structural improvements are being engineered by Sanjay Verma, PE, while the electrical upgrades are being handled by a team comprising Heber Torres, PE, Bruce Mayhook, and Vincent Wong, EIT. Their combined expertise and collaborative efforts have been crucial in progressing toward a state-of-the-art air stripper system for the San Gabriel Valley Water Company.
