SMI Evaporation offers a full range of products for mechanical evaporation, from a simple standalone machine to fully automated systems with over 50 machines all computer controlled, we have the proper solution for your needs.

Automated Machines

Most customers are moving to automated machines that allow both drift control and maximum evaporation. Drift control is an important consideration. As the water is evaporated, the dissolved solid can remain suspended, and the tiny particle produced from this process can travel great distances in high winds. SMI offers a wind speed and direction device that can provide input to allow the unit to be started and stopped based on defined drift limits. Each location can be specifically customized for your situation.

Temperature & Humidity

The temperature and relative humidity can also be monitored to allow optimal water flows through the equipment and to provide 100% evaporation. In very dry and warm conditions more water can be evaporated than in moister and colder conditions. We have found that achieving 100% fluid evaporation is the most effective method. Using customers input of weather allows us to optimize performance while staying within established drift boundaries. VFD controls are used on the pump to provide the exact amount of water for 100% evaporation. Over saturation is avoided and maximum efficiency is achieved.

SmartH2O Software

The SMI Evaporation system can be controlled with remote SMI Smartwater software. These machines can talk with a main site control panel PLC with touch screen display or to a central computer to control and enter system and machine set points and values. This can then be linked via communications to each machine in the system. Each individual unit can have a small PLC in the control panel to control only that machine and will have an automatic flow to temperature curve, managed by the pump VFD to match evaporation flow rates to the current climate. The goal is for 100% evaporation and to avoid air saturation. Each machine also has individual wind control set points for managing drift, so only machines within these set points range will operate. Basically each machine has its own brain and will work within its own parameters and set points.

The SMI SmartH2O software offers trending and reporting on such items as:

• machine flow
• system flow
• machine hours
• system hours
• average time of operation per machine and system
• power consumption
• high / low daily temp and humidity and wind and also reports and tracks active alarms

Live Data

The software collects live data and can also generate a variety of trends and reports to evaluate the efficiency of the system. One other feature: SMI can install a live web cam at the evaporation location so you can watch live from the remote computer to also monitor the system from remote locations (this is great for remote monitoring and tech support).

Automation will shut down and start up the evaporator and pump based on different weather conditions (wind speed and direction, rainfall, humidity levels and temperature). An automation system is highly desirable if the water being treated is corrosive or contains chemicals detrimental to the environment or people. The automation system ensures that water droplet drift is controlled so that droplets are deposited in a planned containment area without depending on human operators needing to respond to changing weather conditions.

SMI automation systems for evaporators come in various packages, are usually customized and will need to be priced individually. The typical packages and features are listed below:

BASIC AUTOMATION H2O PACKAGE

Typically includes: Master control panel (containing PLC, panel view to input set points), weather station (typically includes wind speed, wind direction, humidity and temperature), mounting pole.

Operation: Shuts off and starts evaporator(s) and pumps based on weather conditions (usually wind speed, wind direction; temperature and humidity), speed and direction are set for 8 quadrants of compass; temperature usually triggers at below freezing and humidity triggers at above 80%; system reacts after length of time that new weather condition is experienced.

PREMIUM AUTOMATION H20 PACKAGE

Typically includes: Basic SmartH2O Automation Package plus control software located on central personal computer plus documentation (software gives user the ability to control the function of the system and monitor, store and graph system data via a computer as well as locally at the master control panel via panel view input).

Operation: Same as Basic, plus allows control or set-point input via computer or a local master control panel.

Custom features that can be added include:

Sensors and controls programming: Can control based on water level (in ponds), salinity levels (in ponds), and rainfall; can control water flow and pressure to evaporators to increase evaporation during favorable conditions.

Data interface: Can provide data interface programming and hardware to allow communication and/or control from current site control system.

Monitoring: Can monitor data for water levels, salinity levels, rainfall, water flow rate, water pressure, water flow.

Communications within system: Can upgrade to optic fiber and radio communications.

SmartH2O: Many custom features can be added for the software and usually is more dependent on what the site needs (note that added features means added programming and hardware and added price).

Some typical custom features include:

• External Internet access for downloading of data and system operation
• Camera: can include viewing locations “real time” on site and camera operation

Download the SMI Automation Systems Data Sheet