Project: Autonomous Sand Filter Robot
The SchmutzBot: an autonomous sand filter robot that cleans the top layer of open slow sand filters without interrupting the process.
Continuous drinking water production calls for smart automation.
The current method of cleaning a slow sand filter in drinking water production is manual. What's more, the filter has to be taken out of service to do so. The presence of personnel also increases the risk of contamination.
The sand filter robot is able to clean the top layer of a slow sand filter bed without removing the sand or taking the filter out of service. This allows drinking water production to continue uninterrupted, with no loss of water.
About this project
The challenge
Water company Dunea previously cleaned slow sand filters manually. This required the filter to be taken completely out of service, leading to production downtime and water loss. In addition, the physical presence of personnel increased the risk of biological contamination of the drinking water.
The role of High Tech Alliance
As a full-service partner, we took care of the complete mechatronic integration and robotics:
Preliminary research: Researching and validating the biological processes in the top layer in close collaboration with Dunea.
Concept & Prototyping: Translating brainstorming sessions into feasible concepts, including testing sub-functions with test rigs.
Turnkey Delivery: Engineering, construction and extensive testing of the prototype, including the full control technology and service assurance.
The successful test results exceeded expectations. The sand filter robot is now being further developed to make this innovation widely available to water companies both in the Netherlands and abroad.
Solution and result
High Tech Alliance developed an autonomous underwater robotics system. This robot cleans the top layer of the filter bed in situ (underwater), keeping the sand filter operational and allowing drinking water production to continue 24/7.
Capacity doubling: The filtration rate increases from 25-30 cm to 50-60 cm per hour, delivering an exceptionally high ROI.
Biological safeguarding: The cleaning process preserves the essential bacteria needed for the filter's purifying function.
Maximum safety: Full automation minimises the risk of contamination from human factors.
Client Experiences
“What sets High Tech Alliance apart is their ability to think along with us from day one. They didn’t just build a machine; they designed a complete system that integrates seamlessly into our existing facility. Their multidisciplinary team truly acts as an extension of our own R&D department.”
– Karin Lekkerkerker, Research Manager at Dunea
Doubling of filter capacity
The sand filter robot made it possible to increase the filtration rate from 25/30 cm per hour to 50/60 cm per hour, enabling Dunea to significantly increase drinking water production using virtually the same infrastructure.
Continuous
production
Thanks to the robot, sand filters no longer need to be taken out of service for cleaning. The purification process can continue uninterrupted, resulting in more efficient and more reliable drinking water production.
Improved
water quality
The robot automatically removes sludge from the filter bed while preserving the beneficial bacteria. This reduces the need for manual cleaning and lowers the risk of contamination, contributing to high water quality.
Discover the possibilities
for your installation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Traditionally, a filter bed has to be drained and taken out of service for maintenance. The sand filter robot is specifically designed to operate in situ (under water). The robot cleans the top layer while the filter remains operational, resulting in zero production loss.
Certainly not. Slow sand filters rely on the ‘Schmutzdecke’ and the bacterial culture beneath it for natural purification. The robot uses a specially developed, controlled agitation technique, so that only the contaminated top layer is loosened and extracted, without disturbing the vital biological structure that lies deeper.
The robot is equipped with an advanced sensor system and industrial GPS/navigation technology specifically tuned to the unique conditions underwater. This allows the robot to follow a pre-programmed grid with the utmost precision. Obstacles or walls are automatically detected and avoided.
Our sand filter robot has a modular design. Although we work with standard base types (S, M and L), the wheelbase, cleaning unit width and drive system can be adapted to the specific dimensions and slope angles of your filter basins.
Minimal. The robot is designed as a ‘plug & play’ system. It mainly requires a suitable access point (such as a ramp or lifting facility) to place the robot in the basin, a power supply, and a connection to your existing wastewater drainage for the extracted sludge.
Because the robot operates continuously in a demanding (underwater) environment, only high-quality, corrosion-resistant materials such as 316 stainless steel and special coatings have been used. Wear-sensitive components have been made easily accessible. High Tech Alliance also offers bespoke maintenance contracts (SLAs) and remote monitoring to guarantee maximum uptime.