Australia’s wastewater industry spends billions annually, and choosing the right technology and partners is key to staying competitive in an evolving landscape.
Globally, the wastewater industry is facing complex challenges, including rising operating costs, adopting measures to enhance water security and sustainability, and unpredictable market forces.
“It’s estimated that Australia spends around $9 billion each year on water and wastewater treatment services,” Martin Broglia, Managing Director of Bonfiglioli Australia and New Zealand, said. “To remain competitive in the face of these challenges, Australia’s wastewater plants are exploring solutions that enhance productivity, drive efficiency, and reduce costs.”
Local wastewater plants want solutions that reduce energy consumption and minimise downtime and maintenance costs.
“Water scarcity is a big issue, so plant equipment must be reliable and effective in preventing contamination of waste streams while also boosting plant efficiency,” Broglia said.
The power of a great gear motor
Engineers are demanding solutions that can handle high shock loads, corrosion and contamination, and the space constraints typical of treatment plants, in addition to addressing overall plant operations. The key is to select the right gear motor system that meets power demands and delivers the correct output torque.
“It’s also important to select a solution that offers a long service life, can handle high loads and extreme operating environments, and is easily tailored,” Broglia said. “Bonfiglioli offers a range of accessories that enable us to customise the solution to the customer’s application, such as desiccant or pressure filter breathers that prevent moisture entry into the drive system.”
He highlighted three solutions that have proven effective in wastewater applications: The HDP Series parallel shaft gearboxes, HDO Series bevel helical gearboxes, and the 300M Series planetary gearboxes.
These gearboxes are designed to deliver reliability, speed control, and flexibility of transmissible power, making them versatile and effective.
“With low maintenance requirements and energy-efficient operation, they are also cost-effective,” Broglia said.
Smart tech for smarter operations
Integrating innovative electronic controls for remote monitoring has become an increasingly prominent trend within various industries. This technological advancement enables plant managers to supervise operations more efficiently and effectively from a distance.
Bonfiglioli contributes to this evolution by supplying a range of add-on solutions designed to enhance operational oversight. These solutions provide plant managers with automated and real-time readings of essential equipment metrics such as load, vibration, and oil levels.
“This instrumentation reduces the burden on our customers’ teams,” Broglia said. “It also helps plant operators optimise plant maintenance, performance and efficiency. By leveraging these automated systems, managers can promptly detect anomalies and make informed decisions to optimise equipment performance, minimise downtime, and enhance overall productivity.
Choosing the right partner
In today’s competitive landscape, Broglia stresses the importance of collaborating with specialist partners to achieve optimal results. These partnerships are essential for leveraging expertise that enhances effectiveness and efficiency. Working with experts, organisations can access knowledge and solutions not readily available in-house.
“The value of such alliances cannot be overstated. They enhance creativity and problem-solving capabilities and ensure that all project goals are met with high standards of quality and effectiveness,” Broglia said.
He is optimistic about Bonfiglioli’s role in the Australian wastewater sector.
“Our investment in R&D and our relationships with key players in the industry enables us to develop the innovations and solutions that make a tangible difference to our customers and their businesses.”
For more information, visit bonfiglioli.com/australia
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