Surface Water Quality Measurement & Control at International Airports
Water Quality instrumentation manufactured by Pollution & Process Monitoring Ltd (PPM) has been extensively installed throughout the UK aviation industry. The Protoc instrumentation is used for the measurement and control of surface water discharge as a trade effluent to sewers and controlled discharge to local water courses.
Extensive pavement areas and parked aircraft are sprayed with de-icing/ anti-icing fluids, such as PE Glycol and Potassium Acetate, during the coldest winter months to ensure aircraft and airport surfaces are safe to operate. The de-icing agents enter the airports drainage system, situated below the hardstanding aprons and runways, especially during periods of high rainfall.
The installation of continuous water quality measurement, enable airports to monitor and control the first flush of the drainage system. Surface water containing the antifreeze agents, can then be diverted either for treatment at WwTW or as trade effluent discharge to sewer. Clean storm water run off can be diverted to a local watercourse regulated by the Environmental Agency.
Consequently, there are often multiple positions across any specific airport where the Protoc TOC instrumentation can be used to monitor, control and demonstrate compliance to strict environmental legislation continuously throughout the year.
Image: Protoc TOC analyser installed within analyser enclosures measure strategic drain positions to monitor and control surface water
Since the Protoc TOC analyser technology provides truly continuously measurement, with a fast speed of response, the instrument is ideally suited to this type of monitoring and control application. Automatic calibration and chemical cleaning is integrated, to ensure the best repeatability of measurement. The Protoc 300 model has also been certified to the UK MCERTS standard following rigorous third-party testing, so the end user has confidence that the instrument is deemed by the Regulatory Authoritiesas “fit for purpose”. PPM’s Quality Management System is also third party audited, meeting the ISO9001:2015 quality standard.
Image: Protoc TOC analysers are installed complete with sample preparation systems to provide continuous analysis of surface water quality
Furthermore, PPM has developed the sample acquisition and preparation systems necessary to maintain reliable sample supply for analysis. PPM’s capability also extends to providing bespoke monitoring systems with the instrumentation pre-installed within analyser kiosks complete with frost protection, lighting, electrical and sample distribution.
UK airports such as Manchester, Birmingham, Leads Bradford and Wick have multiple Protoc TOC installations which are supported by PPM service engineers providing routine maintenance.
For further information on how PPM can support your instrumentation requirement please contact:
Steven Tuck
Pollution & Process Monitoring Ltd
Tel: 01732 882044
Fax: 01732 780190