Remote Monitoring and Remote Monitoring and Control of Landfill SystemsControl of Landfill Systems

SWANA 2005 Winter ConferenceSWANA 2005 Winter ConferencePresented by:Presented by:

Curtis D. Madsen, P.E. Curtis D. Madsen, P.E. David L. Boudry, Master David L. Boudry, Master

ElectricianElectrician

Remote Monitoring and Remote Monitoring and Control of Landfill SystemsControl of Landfill Systems

SWANA 2005 Winter ConferenceSWANA 2005 Winter ConferencePresented by:Presented by:

Curtis D. Madsen, P.E. Curtis D. Madsen, P.E. David L. Boudry, Master David L. Boudry, Master

ElectricianElectrician

Integrated Integrated Environmental SolutionsEnvironmental Solutions

BackgroundBackgroundBackgroundBackground

Landfill (LF) leachate management in the past: Isolated control panels at each device

Typical devices:– Leachate sump pumps– Transfer pump recirculation areas– Actuator valves– Leachate tank load-out facilities– Wet wells/Lift stations pumping to treatment

plants

Site visit required to:– Assess operational status (is it running?)– Troubleshoot problems– Make adjustments to control settings

Sensitive to lightning strikes and “downtime”

Recently, use of programmable logic controller (PLC)based control systems

Background Background (cont.)(cont.)Background Background (cont.)(cont.)

PLC-based systems:– Are Cost effective – Typically require less downtime compared to

previous controls– Are less labor intensive – Can be networked together– Enable “real-time” monitoring,

troubleshooting, and adjustments to set points

Background Background (cont.)(cont.)Background Background (cont.)(cont.)

Basic Controller

Logic

Historical ApplicationsHistorical ApplicationsHistorical ApplicationsHistorical Applications

Typical control technology historically used at landfills has included:

Side slope riser sump pumps– Typical controllers:

Printed circuit boards with transducers Load-sensing controllers

– Site visit required to make adjustments/record data/troubleshoot

– Data availability limited – Sensitivity to lightning strikes

Leachate load-out tanks/force-main facilities– Typical controls

Same as SSR pumps Float switches

– Site visit required to make adjustments/record data/troubleshoot

Historical Applications Historical Applications (cont.)(cont.)Historical Applications Historical Applications (cont.)(cont.)

Other components– Data availability limited– Leachate distribution/recirculation pumps– Fail-safe valves– Leachate head wells– All require site visit to make

adjustments/record data/troubleshoot

Historical Applications Historical Applications (cont.)(cont.)Historical Applications Historical Applications (cont.)(cont.)

What is a PLC?– Microprocessor, similar to that found in a PC,

calculator, or your automobile– Extensively used to control manufacturing

and treatment processes– Programmable, accepts directions,

calculates, stores data, gives commands to other equipment

– Can also accept directions: Notification of alarm levels Types of events to record

PLC ApplicationsPLC ApplicationsPLC ApplicationsPLC Applications

PLC can be programmed to:– Track selected data and functions (reducing

the effort required to complete an annual environmental monitoring report)

– Notify selected personnel of an alarm condition

PLC-based control systems allow the efficient and flexible use of a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system

PLC Applications PLC Applications (cont.)(cont.)PLC Applications PLC Applications (cont.)(cont.)

What is SCADA? SCADA enables a site operator to

monitor and control processes from a remote location– Used to monitor and control any type of

mechanical and electrical equipment at LF facilities

PLC Applications PLC Applications (cont.)(cont.)PLC Applications PLC Applications (cont.)(cont.)

A properly designed SCADA system reduces labor costs by minimizing site visits for:– Inspection– Data collection/logging– Making adjustments

PLC/SCADA systems allow:– Real-time monitoring from your PC system – settings

and modifications – Troubleshooting from your PC– Increased equipment life – better preventive

maintenance– Automatic report generating feature

PLC Applications PLC Applications (cont.)(cont.)PLC Applications PLC Applications (cont.)(cont.)

Applications of PLCs are the same as the other control devices presented earlier

PLC Applications PLC Applications (cont.)(cont.)PLC Applications PLC Applications (cont.)(cont.)

Controller ComparisonController ComparisonController ComparisonController Comparison Four general types of controllers

used at landfills:

– Relay logic

– Load sensing

– Printed circuit boards

– Programmable logic controller

Network operation expands system flexibility to include:– Pump run time– Motor cycles– Motor amperage– Condition of motor starter– Position of H-O-A switch

Controller Comparison Controller Comparison (cont.)(cont.)Controller Comparison Controller Comparison (cont.)(cont.)

– Ability to assess many fault conditions from an Internet connection (office PC) – controls response/repair costs

– Recording of fault history log– Daily data log (head levels)– Flare run/shutdown log– Remote determination on condition of the

device, the H-O-A Switch (if “manual” or “off” or “auto” setting)

Controller Comparison Controller Comparison (cont.)(cont.)Controller Comparison Controller Comparison (cont.)(cont.)

Controller ComparisonController ComparisonController ComparisonController Comparison

Relay

Logic

Printed

Circuit

Board

Load

Sensing

PLC

Controller ComparisonController ComparisonController ComparisonController Comparison

Printed

Circuit

Board

Load

Sensing

PLC

Relay Logic

- Stand-alone device

- Float controlled

- Only does one thing

- No communication ability

Controller ComparisonController ComparisonController ComparisonController Comparison

Relay

Logic

Printed

Circuit

Board

PLC

Load Sensing- Control based on amp draw of

motor

- Stand-alone device

- Only does one thing

- No communication ability

- Can be confused by voltage fluctuations

- Time based feature does not account for heavy rains or seasonal changes

Controller ComparisonController ComparisonController ComparisonController Comparison

Relay

Logic

Load

Sensing

PLC

Printed Circuit Boards

- Controlled by pressure transducer

- Stand-alone device

- Controller may provide "indication" of liquid level

- May have limited communication ability

Controller ComparisonController ComparisonController ComparisonController Comparison

Relay

Logic

Printed

Circuit

Board

Load

Sensing

Programmable Logic Controller

- Uses one or several, various sensors (e.g., transducer) to operate a device (e.g., pump)

- Operate as “stand-alone” or as part of a “network”

- Stand-alone operation provides run time, pump cycles, and fault codes via in-field operator interface

- Can operate as a network from an Internet connection (office PC)

Summary Points of ComparisonSummary Points of ComparisonSummary Points of ComparisonSummary Points of Comparison Basic operations logic

– Minimal at best, for non-PLC controller

Controller adjustability– Minimal at best, for non-PLC controller

System troubleshooting– PLCs have a “fault code” system; other

devices do not

Remote location requirements– Non–PLC-based systems require site visit to

assess operation status, troubleshoot, or gather data

– With PLCs and SCADA, information can be accessed from your office PC (or any Internet connection with Web-based SCADA)

Advanced database/reporting/monitoring capabilities– Only available with PLCs and SCADA

Summary Points of Comparison Summary Points of Comparison (cont.)(cont.)Summary Points of Comparison Summary Points of Comparison (cont.)(cont.)

CostCostCostCostCost of PLC System is based on:

How many devices require control

Areal size of a facility– Networking capability of PLC devices can

control labor costs– Fiber optic or Ethernet radio options (lightning

strike protection) are available

Types of data required for daily operations– Run time of pumps recirculating leachate

Costs Costs (cont.)(cont.)Costs Costs (cont.)(cont.)

Types of environmental monitoring reports required

Competition among manufacturers– Several marketplace manufacturers help to

control costs of PLCs

Screen DemonstrationScreen DemonstrationScreen DemonstrationScreen Demonstration

Closing CommentsClosing CommentsClosing CommentsClosing Comments

Questions/ApplicationsQuestions/ApplicationsQuestions/ApplicationsQuestions/Applications

Screen DemonstrationScreen DemonstrationScreen DemonstrationScreen Demonstration

Closing CommentsClosing CommentsClosing CommentsClosing Comments

Questions/ApplicationsQuestions/ApplicationsQuestions/ApplicationsQuestions/Applications

Screen DemonstrationScreen DemonstrationScreen DemonstrationScreen Demonstration

Closing CommentsClosing CommentsClosing CommentsClosing Comments

Questions/ApplicationsQuestions/ApplicationsQuestions/ApplicationsQuestions/Applications

Screen DemonstrationScreen DemonstrationScreen DemonstrationScreen Demonstration

Closing CommentsClosing CommentsClosing CommentsClosing Comments

Questions/ApplicationsQuestions/ApplicationsQuestions/ApplicationsQuestions/Applications