Overview

Hundreds of Rotork multi-turn and part-turn IQ electric actuators and gearboxes were installed as part of a US water filtration plant upgrade.

Challenge

The Eugene Sawyer Water Purification Plant supplies drinking water to the population of Chicago.

Solution

As part of an extensive upgrade, electric actuators were specified to replace water hydraulic cylinders in order to control the flow of water at multiple points within the plant.

Result

The Rotork actuators will operate 12 to 30 inch butterfly valves to provide improved flow control for water travelling into and out of the facility’s sand filters. Water from Lake Michigan is collected from a crib, a structure which serves as an offshore water intake away from pollution closer to shore, and transported to the Eugene Sawyer Purification Plant.

The water will be allowed to flow into the Eugene Sawyer plant’s sand filters via a 30 inch valve controlled by Rotork’s intelligent IQ actuator. The actuator will also carry out modulating duties to ensure the filter is kept full. The water will then seep through the sand bed and supporting gravel material before it is controlled by a 12 inch valve operated by a part-turn continuous modulating IQTM actuator to be sent to the clear water well and distributed to the public.

IQ actuators will also handle backwash and drain processes while the IQT actuators will carry out surface wash flow control.