News Archive

UK sales were made to a number of UK water utilities, for a variety of on-line measurement applications. Affinity Water and South East Water both purchased the Mtol+ turbidimeter for potable water production measurement. Wessex Water purchased multiple optical dissolved oxygen sensors and transmitters to control the aerobic digestion process. Additionally, conductivity sensor technology was also supplied as a general waste water quality indicator. We also received an additional purchase order for our Proam ammonia monitor to be pre-installed into a bespoke analyser kiosk with sample acquisition and filtration, for a power station monitoring cooling water discharge.

We have also been busy commissioning a new river intake protection monitoring system. The design was a joint collaboration with the water company who have now purchased a number of similar systems which comprised individual sensor measurement of pH, Temperature, DO, Conductivity and Turbidity. Additionally, a free issued UV absorption sensor was also integrated. Close collaboration with the client on the design and build element has ensured that the operation, maintenance and service are simple to perform whilst also minimising manual routine intervention.

Internationally, our Irish distributor secured an order for a replacement Protoc 300 TOC analyser, ranged 0-100 PPM TOC with automatic acid cleaning, for a waste water control application at a chemical manufacturing plant.

Additionally, our distributer, Atlas Technology of Taiwan, has placed an order for 2 Proam ammonia monitors for an existing client, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation. This is an expansion of the TSMC Fab 18 Phase 7 manufacturing plant. TSMC are a long- standing user of the Proam technology in many of their FAB ‘s so ammonia concentrations in the waste water can be monitored and action taken to protect the environment.

During November, UK sales were made to a number of UK water utilities for both waste water and potable water quality monitoring applications. Two turbidity monitoring panels were purchased by Essex and Suffolk Water to measure clarified potable water and Wessex Water purchased instrumentation for a final effluent turbidity measurement application. In addition, a Proam ammonia monitor was supplied for final effluent measurement to Severn Trent Water. Industrial applications included a sale of a Proam for continuous measurement of cooling water discharge from a UK power station before being discharged to a local water course. We also received a purchase order for our OFD oil on water laser, to alarm the potential break though of paraffins associated with a vinyl manufacturing process. Other industrial applications included the supply of UVT measurement to check treated industrial waste water quality.

Internationally, we received a purchase order from our Irish distributor for our Protoc TOC analyser pre-installed within a small GRP enclosure, for supply to an Irish Distillery.

Additionally, Yokogawa India placed an order for a Protoc TOC analyser for a project coordinated by our distributor Forbes Marshall India. The end user will be Nayara Energy Ltd and the measurement will be refinery cooling water within a range of 30.00 PPM TOC. The instrument has undergone a full performance testing and a 24 hour stability test, with the test results and accompanying report, forming part of the client’s Quality Plan documentation.

During October, UK sales were made to Wessex Water providing final effluent turbidity monitoring and to SE Water who purchased several MTOL+ turbidity instruments for a potable water treatment process. Additionally, another bespoke water quality system was completed for a northern water treatment works. The bespoke build is similar to a system previously installed at the same site but will be located at the intake, to measure raw water quality. The multi-parameter system includes individual sensors for pH, Conductivity, Turbidity & Dissolved Oxygen and additionally outputs temperature. The submersible sensors are installed within a sample tank that has been specially engineered to include internal baffle plates, to promote sample degassing and level alarm sensors, to monitor the sample flow regime. The design also promotes simplified maintenance since sensors can be easily removed for cleaning and calibration. The instrumentation is pre-mounted on to a reinforced PVC back board along with a common signals box, fused spurs and a consumer unit. This water treatment site is one of many now using this custom design for intake protection and process monitoring.

Internationally, our distributor in India - Forbes Marshall, has secured a project for the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. The requirement is for two Protoc TOC analysers which will play a key part in monitoring the waste water from the treatment plant. Forbes Marshall will incorporate the analysers into an engineered system as part of a complete package with sample accusation and telemetry. The analyser test reports will form part of the overall Quality Assurance Plan for the project. We also conducted a comprehensive customer survey asking our customers for their feedback on all aspects of their experience. The survey was in preparation for our ISO9001:2015 annual audit. We are pleased to report that we received very positive responses which covered product supply, servicing and technical support during the past 12 months. The quality of our customer support and technical knowledge was detailed as one of our key strengths. We also scored very highly with regards the value and quality of recent project delivery. Our customers reported they were 100% satisfied in all sub-categories and 100% satisfied with the overall performance.

When compared to other companies operating in a similar field, our average score across all respondents was 94.2%.

Some of the associated commentary was also exceptional:

• "We would like to experience such smooth cooperation & smooth support with our other suppliers"
• "Excellent help throughout the process of purchase and installation"
• "We recommend PPM’s products and personnel. They were very professional and supportive through the configuration, sales and post sales process"

We would like to take this opportunity to thanks everybody who took part and for the very positively commentary received.

New UK sales opportunities where predominantly within the municipal sector during September. Wessex Water, Severn Trent Water and Northumbrian Water procured new water quality measurement instruments for potable and waste water quality measurement. UK Industrial applications included a surface water monitoring system for a leading UK pharmaceutical company. The bespoke build included pre-mounting the instrumentation for pH, temperature and open channel flow measurement into a secondary GRP enclosure to simplify site installation.

Additionally, a large manufacturing plant in Lincolnshire has recently upgraded their surface water outfall monitoring with a Proam Ammonia analyser. The site has a large surface water catchment lagoon which prevents any potential spillages entering the local water course. This is closely monitored by on-line instruments situated in a purpose build housing, close to the lagoon. A number of water quality parameters are continuously monitored and ammonia is of key importance. Consequently, the client wanted to upgrade an old analyser with one from PPM, based on the reliability of the other Proams already installed at the site and the quality of service, provided by PPM.

Internationally, Forbes Marshall, our exclusive distributor for India have placed another order for a Protoc 300 TOC analyser. Ranged 0-100ppm and with the automatic wash option the instrument is destined for an industrial client measuring the waste water from a process stream. The instrument has undergone our strict final testing rescheme which includes recording linearity and output verification.

Our domestic sales were predominantly to the UK waste water Utility sector during August with a number of new instruments supplied for process and final effluent monitoring applications. Turbidity, ammonia and DO measurement technology was supplied to a number of Wessex Water sites. Anglian Water also commissioned a new final effluent ammonia installation to monitor the treated effluent affected by seasonal load at the coastal holiday destination. The continuous monitor comprised part of a waste water treatment upgrade to further improve effluent quality, at the site. Bespoke engineering builds were also completed for a number of industrial clients which included a surface water monitoring application for pH, ammonia and nitrate.

Internationally, Atlas technology our distributor in Taiwan has secured orders for two clients. The first is for four Proam ammonia monitors which are to be installed at the Micron plant, FAB 11 located in Taoyuan. The second project is for a single Proam analyser intended for the CTCI Corporation, with headquarters in Taipei and is the largest engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) firm in Taiwan. The end user for this project is within the power industry.

A large number of domestic sales kept us very busy during July in addition to the instrument and bespoke system builds already underway. We received numerous purchase orders for UVT instruments used to verify water quality at private and municipal potable water production sites. We also supplied our Proam ammonia technology for waste water quality discharge monitoring within Anglian Water. Wessex Water also purchased several replacement instruments including turbidity measurement for final effluent turbidity discharge compliance.

Internationally, within Romania we secured an order for three Proam ammonia monitors. The instruments will be installed at key locations in Bucharest to provide continuous water quality measurement along the Dambovita River that crosses the city. The three analysers will be configured to measure 0-2.00 mg/L N and integrated into a comprehensive river monitoring system.

We are also pleased to announce that our Protoc 300 TOC analyser has been recertified by the CSA Group who are responsible for the Environment Agency MCERTS Product Conformity Certification scheme. The rigorous performance and quality assessment scheme was introduced to provide end users an additional level of instrument selection confidence.

The Protoc 300 complies with: Performance Standards and Test Procedures for Continuous Water Monitoring Equipment, Part 2: Performance standards and test procedures for on-line monitors, Environment Agency, version 3.1, August 2010. Certificate number MC 060077/06.

Sira MC 060077

We have received several new purchase orders including bespoke monitoring systems intended for continuous waste water-water measurement. Wessex Water has placed an order for a Proam pre-installed within a frost protected cabinet complete with sample delivery and sample preparation, to provide continuous ammonia load measurement. Additionally, replacement instrumentation was purchased for a final effluent ammonia application. A UK treatment consultancy also purchased a portable UV254nm instrument to verify the UV disinfection process at various municipal sites.

In the north east, a major UK fertiliser manufacturer extended their scope of on-line water quality monitors for a process monitoring application. After the success of several other monitoring systems supplied by PPM, the project team once again contacted us to engineer a new backboard assembly which included pH, Temperature, Nitrate & Ammonia measurement. Sample cooling and sample flow detection will also be incorporated. The new continuous monitoring system with a fast sample loop off the main process line, will ensure a quick response to any process changes and these will be instantly reported back to the main control room, so events may be actioned without delay.

The Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC), the world’s biggest contract chip manufacturer, has again invested in PPM technology by placing an order for another two Protoc ammonia monitors. The project is being coordinated by our exclusive distributor, Atlas Technology, who will provide all necessary support and expertise for this installation. The instruments are ranged 0-500mg/l as N and will monitor waste water coming from a FAB plant expansion.

Ammonia measurement was the key water quality theme for May, with a series of UK and international purchase orders.

Anglian Water placed an order for ammonia instrumentation to be installed for a final effluent compliance monitoring application. Two further Proam ammonia monitors are destined for Severn Trent Water where they will be installed to continuously measure treated effluent quality. We also received a purchase order from Wessex Water covering seven treatment sites which included upgrades to existing ammonia monitoring installations. Internationally, we received a significant purchase through Atlas Technology based in Taiwan.

Atlas Technology has again secured a significant project incorporating our Proam ammonia monitor. Ten instruments have been ordered, tested and shipped, destined for the expansion of the Micron Hwa Ya Technology Park FAB, located in Taoyuan Taiwan. Micron Memory Taiwan Co., is a subsidiary of U.S. based dynamic random access memory (DRAM) chip maker Micron Technology Inc. The Proam instruments are to be used to monitor waste water streams coming from various production sources. This follows Micron’s investment last year when they purchased the Proam analyser technology for the A3 plant in Taichung.

The new financial year has started with a good mix of domestic UK orders and international business.

The build of four Proam ammonia monitors into secondary enclosures for aeration control at two sites within Wessex Water was completed. Wessex Water also procured replacement instrumentation for a number of other sites which included final effluent ammonia and turbidity measurement.

A large pharmaceutical customer located in the north of England, purchased a replacement Protoc 300 TOC analyser for a critical surface water measurement application. The existing Protoc instrument had provided over ten years continuous operation so the customer had no hesitation returning to PPM. The direct replacement will continuously monitor the main outfall from site, to ensure no potential surface water contamination reaches the local water course.

Dong Moon our distributer in Korea has taken delivery of a Protoc TOC analyser for a drinking water treatment plant in Yongin Korea. The instrument is range 0-10ppm with automatic cleaning and digital RS232/485 interface options. Yongin is a major city in the Seoul Capital Area, the largest in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. With a population over one million, the city has developed rapidly since the 21st century, recording the highest population growth of any city in the country.

Atlas Technology of Taiwan has secured an order for another two Proam ammonia monitors ranged 0-500 mg/l for their client Winbond Electronics Corporation. Winbond's major product lines include Code Storage Flash Memory, TrustME® Secure Flash Specialty DRAM and Mobile DRAM. The Company is the only one in Taiwan with the ability to develop DRAM and FLASH products in-house.

With UK COVID lockdown restrictions still in place and large project work reduced, PPM’s site activities have predominantly been associated with preventative maintenance of existing installations.

One exception has been to recondition a number of bespoke, mobile analytical systems previously supplied to United Utilities receiving industrial effluent which can affect the biological treatment process. The trailer mounted instruments can be quickly deployed to provide continuous water quality analysis of the key measurement parameters. At the inlet to one treatment site pH, ammonia and TOC is continuously measured and at another, phosphate is continually performed. Product sales have included portable UVT instruments supplied for validating on-line UV treatment systems installed at potable water production sites.

Additionally, Wessex Water have purchased four Proam ammonia monitors pre-mounted within secondary enclosures to measure the ammonia in liquors, to enable real time control of the nitrification process. We have also supplied turbidity instrumentation for final effluent compliance measurement.

Internationally, we have supported the site servicing of a Protoc TOC analyser installed more than 12 years ago at a Portuguese PTA manufacturing plant. Despite the analyser’s age, it was reassuring to see the instrument had been well looked after and was in very good condition. With the benefit of virtual guidance using WhatsApp, the site was able to complete the servicing required to clear the fault and optimise the analyser. Forbes Marshal our distributer for India has placed an order for a Protoc 300 which is part of a refinery project, to measure condensate/cooling water. Ranged 0-10ppm TOC, the Protoc will be housed in a purged enclosure with air-conditioning and a sample system fabricated by the Forbes Marshall Steam Water and Gas (SWAS) team.

Although the UK lockdown restrictions are still in place, we continue to provide service support to our existing customers and commission a new installation for Northumbrian Water. Additionally, we have received a purchase order for our Proam ammonia monitoring technology for a final effluent monitoring application within Severn Trent Water.

Wessex Water has placed orders for replacement instrumentation covering continuous turbidity and conductivity measurement. A paint manufacturer has purchased another dual pH monitoring system and we have sold a UV254nm instrument to a waste water treatment specialist to allow them to perform bench top discrete sample analysis, to support a trial installation.

Our Irish distributor has purchased our Protoc TOC analyser ranged 0-100 PPM with membrane filtration sample preparation and automatic compressed air cleaning, for a new installation in Eire. We are also pleased to report that we have also received our SafeContractor certification following another year of exemplary performance.

With UK COVID lockdown restrictions still in place, these measures continue to subdue typical business activity. Despite these imposed restrictions, PPM has been busy attending various installations, providing preventative and reactive service support to our UK customer base. New sales opportunities have also been realised with sales of instrumentation to a number of our existing customers.

In the UK we have received purchase orders from Wessex Water for replacement instrumentation and a Proam ammonia monitor has also been procured for installation within Anglian Water.

Additionally, a major water utility in the north of UK has purchased a number of UV254nm instruments for discrete sample measurement across their water treatment sites - having already purchased a portable system more than ten years previous. We have also supplied the latest digital trace DO measurement to a UK power generation plant using our instrumentation to continuously monitor their boiler water, to ensure dissolved oxygen is efficiently scavenged by chemical addition.

Internationally, two Protoc 300 TOC analysers have been ordered by our Polish distributer - BP Techem for a waste water monitoring project at a large refinery. The instruments were ranged 0-500ppm and 0-2,000ppm complete with our Band Filter sample preparation system. Ntron our Irish distributor procured a Protoc 300 TOC analyser ranged 0-500 PPM with membrane filtration.