Circulating Water Screens

By the year 2001, the EPA is expected to provide guidelines for Section 316(b) of the 1972 Amendments to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, which states that cooling water intake structures reflect the best technology available (BTA) for minimizing adverse environmental impact. Consequently, plants may need to modify and upgrade existing intake screens to meet these fish-friendly requirements.

USFilter can supply everything from a complete intake design to a replacement component for a 75-year-old traveling water screen. The company economically retrofits standard screens into efficient fish screens, with special baskets that have smooth meshes, flow spoilers, and fish catchers. The company can install deeper baskets, lower pressure spray systems, and a separate trough for fish discharge. These fish-friendly diversion screens feature low approach velocity flows, allowing the smallest, most fragile species to avoid impingement. Smooth-tex flat wire screen surfaces minimize fish injury, and slots sized to the nearest 0.04½ exclude even very small fish.

USFilter also upgrades existing, inefficient screens. It continually develops new components and screen designs for older installations to accommodate changed intake conditions, extend equipment life or reduce operating costs. The company's engineering support services include hydraulic flow analysis in full-scale test flume or using computer models to analyze water flow patterns and velocity ranges in order to accurately predict system demands and sizing requirements. It provides OEM replacement parts for all Rex and Link-Belt equipment ever made and for other manufacturers' equipment. Factory trained service personnel are available worldwide to assist with emergencies or scheduled maintenance.

N/A, 30 Technology Drive, Warren, NJ 07059. Tel: 908 668-1700; Fax: 908 668-1393.