HUBER masters growing challenges in wastewater treatment with digital solutions: HUBER Cloud Solution HCS

• Counteracting rising operating costs and quality requirements through digital solutions

• Identify and exploit optimization potentials through data evaluation

• HUBER Cloud Solution HCS as a basis for future additional services

The challenges in wastewater treatment are constantly growing and the adequate treatment of wastewater and sludge at wastewater treatment plants is becoming increasingly difficult. The reasons for this are the increasing demands on the treated wastewater and sludge combined with dwindling personnel resources and rising costs for energy and operating materials. As a result, the treatment of wastewater and sludge must be optimized in an efficient manner.

The challenges: Counteracting rising operating costs and quality requirements with the potentials of digitalization

In order to successfully meet these challenges and support wastewater treatment plants in their operation, HUBER is developing new solutions and services. In doing so, the company is increasingly focusing on the benefits of digitalization and digital transformation and is further developing its products and solutions by consistently incorporating digital potential into the product development process.

The Objectives: State description and optimization potential through the evaluation of data

The “raw material” of digital transformation is primarily data. These arise at a machine or a process at any time through the use of sensors and actuators. The collection and subsequent evaluation of this data requires both specific knowledge of the machine and the process technology as well as knowledge of mathematics and statistics. The evaluation makes it possible to describe the condition of a machine or process and to identify optimization potentials. These can be recommendations for low-wear operation, tips for reducing electricity and water consumption, as well as suggestions for reducing operating materials, such as precipitation and flocculation aids.

The implementation: Development of the HUBER Cloud Solution HCS

To implement these goals, HUBER has started the development of the HUBER Cloud Solution HCS, in which the digital service offers will be bundled in the future. The basis of this service is the recording of data at the local switchgear and control system of the machine or process and the transmission of the data in encrypted form via the internet to the HUBER Cloud.

Two options are available for this: On the one hand, it is possible to integrate the data recording directly into the existing programmable logic controller (PLC). For this purpose, the PLC program is adapted so that it sends the data points available in the control program via the internet connection. The Internet connection is established by a mobile modem that is additionally installed in the control cabinet.

On the other hand, it is possible to use an IoT kit (IoT = Internet of Things). In order to be able to transmit the machine data to the HUBER Cloud in this setup, a connection between the local controller and the IoT kit is required. Via this connection, the PLC of the local control can provide the IoT controller of the IoT kit with those data points that are to be transmitted to the HUBER Cloud. The IoT controller of the IoT kit can then collect the provided data points via the established connection and send them in encrypted form to the HUBER Cloud. A mobile modem is installed in the IoT kit to establish the required internet connection.

The data in the HUBER Cloud

In the HUBER Cloud, data is received and stored so that it is available for further processing. On the one hand, this includes the real-time calculation of key figures, which can be used to interpret the status of the machine or process. In the event of both atypical, abrupt changes and creeping, gradual deterioration in the key figures, the operator can be given immediate recommendations for action to maintain and improve the process.

On the other hand, the data is used for further analysis to create additional key figures and gain new insights. In this way, customers continuously benefit from HUBER’s constantly growing knowledge and reduce both their time for troubleshooting and process optimization and their effort for machine maintenance. All recorded data as well as the calculated key figures are visualized in the HUBER Portal and are thus also available online to the operator at any time.

Furthermore, the HUBER Portal is the basis for further services that HUBER will develop and implement in the future to support customers in the operation of HUBER machines and processes in the best possible way.