Case Study for Customer Location CA100:
Reservoir or Lake Use:
The pond is a storm water collection basin for a refinery.
System Overview and Reservoir:
The pond is 6.7 surface acres, with an operating depth of 4 feet and approximately 4 ft of sludge and slurry on the bottom. There is no power to the pond. Prior to the SolarBees being installed, they operated 2 x 10 hp of brush aerators that ran 24 hrs/day for 365 days per
year. Because there was no power to the pond, two diesel generators were required to run the aerators. The pond is located only a quarter mile away from a residential area.
Reported Problem Before SolarBee Installation:
The two main problems were noxious odors coming from the pond, and the high costs associated with running the two brush aerators. Goals were to control odors and provide energy savings by eliminating brush aerators and the need to run power to the site in order to avoid the continued use of diesel generators.
SolarBee Installation:
Date: December 2004, installed two (2) SB10000v12-OC odor capping SolarBee machines. The SolarBees were tethered to shore with the photovoltaic panels mounted on shore for one unit and on the SolarBee directly for the other unit.
Results:
The two SolarBees have achieved continuous odor capping, and have maintained residual dissolved oxygen levels at the top of the pond without any need for brush aerators. Odor complaints from nearby residential areas have ceased. The SolarBees have completely replaced the two 10 hp brush aerators
and the need to run the diesel generators for power. This replacement also eliminated the unpleasant aerosols common with brush aerators. There have been no maintenance issues with the SolarBees, and the economic savings to the refinery have been substantial. The SolarBees eliminated the $150,000 annual cost to rent, operate and maintain the brush aerators and diesel generators. The SolarBees also avoided the cost of running power to the site to provide electricity to brush aerators, savings $150,000. The payback for the
two SolarBees in energy savings alone was less than a year. The owner is very happy with the elimination of odor events (as are local residents), as well as with significant and sustainable energy savings.
One of two SolarBees being installed in the refinery’s stormwater collection pond.
Updated: 04/20/2007
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