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Why Pilot Testing

De-risk your capital investment with data-driven validation before full-scale commitment.

De-Risk Investment

Validate treatment performance with your actual wastewater before committing to full-scale Capital expenditure. Eliminate uncertainty and avoid costly retrofitting.

Optimise Design

Real operating data refines chemical dosing, hydraulic loading, and retention times. Design based on evidence, not assumptions.

Accurate Operating expenditure Forecasting

Measure actual chemical consumption, power demand, and sludge production to build reliable operating requirement models for your technical case.

Regulatory Confidence

Demonstrate compliance with discharge consent limits using third-party validated effluent data for regulators and stakeholders.

Process Configuration

Compare DAF vs lamella, aerobic vs anaerobic, or membrane vs conventional side-by-side on your site with your water.

Stakeholder Buy-In

Share tangible pilot results with boards, investors, and environmental agencies to secure funding and permit approvals.

Pilot Scale-Up Criteria & Safety Factors

How pilot data becomes full-scale design with confidence intervals.

Scale-Up Factors by Technology

TechnologyPilot ScaleScale-Up FactorKey Risk
DAF1–5 m3/hr1:10 to 1:50Air dissolution efficiency; floc shear
Lamella Clarifier0.5–2 m3/hr1:20 to 1:100Plate spacing; sludge hopper hydraulics
MBBR50–500 L1:100 to 1:1,000Oxygen transfer; carrier mixing uniformity
MBR0.5–5 m3/hr1:10 to 1:50Membrane flux; fouling rate at full scale
UASB / EGSB5–50 L1:100 to 1:10,000Upflow velocity; granule stability; gas-liquid separation
Activated Sludge50–500 L1:50 to 1:500Clarifier solids flux; sludge volume index

Statistical Validation Protocol

  • Minimum trial duration: 2–4 weeks for steady-state; 8–12 weeks for seasonal variability
  • Sample frequency: Influent/effluent grab samples daily; composite samples 3×/week
  • Replicates: Triplicate analysis for critical parameters (COD, TSS, NH4-N)
  • Confidence interval: Design on 95th percentile effluent, not mean
  • Safety factor: Apply 1.2–1.5× to HRT or surface loading for scale-up uncertainty
  • Correlation validation: R2 > 0.80 between pilot influent quality and effluent response required for design use

Full-Scale HRT = Pilot HRT × SFHRT

Where SFHRT = 1.2–1.5 for biological processes; 1.0–1.2 for physical-chemical processes.

Sampling & Analysis Protocols

Rigorous data collection to support engineering decisions and regulatory submissions.

Influent Characterisation

Daily grab or 24-hour composite samples for COD, BOD5, TSS, VSS, pH, conductivity, oil & grease, and heavy metals. Weekly TOC and nutrient speciation (TN, TP, NH4-N, PO4-P).

Effluent Monitoring

Daily composite effluent for COD, BOD, TSS, and target contaminants. Triplicate sampling on days 7, 14, 21, and 28 for statistical confidence. Independent third-party laboratory for regulatory evidence.

Process Parameters

Continuous logging of flow, temperature, pH, DO, ORP, and pressure. Online turbidity and UV254 for surrogate organic tracking. Data logger records at 1-minute intervals with 15-minute rolling averages.

Mass Balance & Yield

Weekly sludge volume index (SVI), MLSS/MLVSS, and specific oxygen uptake rate (SOUR) for biological pilots. Chemical consumption logged daily: coagulant, flocculant, acid/alkali, and antifoam.

Microscopy & Bioassay

For biological pilots: weekly filamentous bacteria screening, protozoa population counts, and EPS staining. Toxicity screening (Microtox) if industrial wastewater contains variable chemical loads.

Chain of Custody

All samples logged with time, temperature, and preservative verification. Cool-box transport <4°C within 6 hours. LIMS tracking from collection to certificate of analysis.

Pilot Program

A structured, phased programme from site survey to final recommendation report.

1. Site Survey

Our engineers visit your facility to assess space, utilities, access, and existing infrastructure. We sample wastewater for full laboratory characterisation including COD, BOD, TSS, oils, pH, and heavy metals.

2. Mobile Unit Delivery

A containerised or skid-mounted pilot unit is transported to site and connected to your effluent stream. Units range from 0.5 to 50 m³/hr depending on treatment objective and available footprint.

3. Operation & Monitoring

The pilot runs for 2-12 weeks under varying load conditions. We adjust process parameters, chemical doses, and flow rates to map the full operational envelope and identify optimal setpoints.

4. Sampling & Analysis

Daily composite and grab samples are analysed in our certified laboratory or on-site instruments. Parameters include COD, BOD, TSS, ammonia, phosphate, oil & grease, pH, and specific client requirements.

5. Data Analysis

Statistical analysis of performance data identifies correlations between influent quality, process settings, and effluent results. CFD modelling validates hydraulic behaviour for full-scale design.

6. Recommendation Report

A comprehensive technical report presents validated design parameters, equipment sizing, chemical consumption rates, operating procedures, and a firm Capital/Operating quotation for the full-scale system.

What You Receive

Comprehensive documentation and data to support your investment decision and regulatory compliance.

Technical Report

Comprehensive report with process flow diagrams, mass balances, and validated performance data. Includes statistical analysis of all operating parameters and effluent quality trends under varying load conditions.

Design Parameters

Validated hydraulic and organic loading rates, retention times, chemical dosing rates, and air-to-solids ratios. All values based on actual measured performance, not theoretical calculations.

Operating expenditure Model

Detailed operating requirement breakdown including power, chemicals, labour, maintenance, and sludge disposal. Modelled across three operating scenarios: average, peak, and design flow conditions.

Capital expenditure Quotation

Firm firm quotation for the full-scale system with equipment list, civil works scope, installation, commissioning, and performance guarantees based on pilot-validated data.

Operating Procedures

Standard operating procedures for start-up, normal operation, shutdown, and emergency response. Includes troubleshooting guides and maintenance schedules validated during pilot operation.

Compliance Evidence

Third-party laboratory certificates demonstrating effluent quality against discharge consent limits. Suitable for submission to environmental regulators and permit applications.

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Bespoke Custom Engineering

Our custom engineering team is involved in designing water treatment equipment to your exact specifications.

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Bespoke Materials

Advanced material selection and protective coatings for aggressive wastewater environments.

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Bespoke Performance Targets

We design bespoke water treatment systems with guaranteed performance targets.

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Bespoke Process Integration

Seamlessly integrate new water treatment equipment with your existing infrastructure.

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Bespoke Space Constraints

Engineering solutions for restricted footprints and height-limited installations.

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Bespoke Engineering Capability

Every water treatment challenge is unique. Our bespoke engineering team designs, fabricates, and commissions custom equipment and systems that standard products cannot address. From exotic material selection to extreme duty specifications, space-constrained layouts, and integration with legacy control systems, we deliver solutions that work in your specific operational context.

Custom Design

3D CAD modelling and CFD simulation validate performance before fabrication commences.

In-House Fabrication

SS304, SS316L, duplex, and exotic alloy welding and machining in our European workshops.

Legacy Integration

Control systems communicate with your existing SCADA, DCS, and PLC infrastructure.

Full Documentation

Complete design dossier, HAZOP, FAT/SAT protocols, and O&M manuals provided.

Bespoke Project Workflow

1. Needs Assessment

Site survey, water analysis, and process requirement definition with your engineers.

2. Concept Design

Process flow diagram, P&ID, and 3D layout with performance guarantees and budget estimate.

3. Detailed Engineering

Mechanical, electrical, and control design with material specifications and vendor selection.

4. Fabrication

Workshop construction with QA/QC inspection, weld records, and pressure testing.

5. Delivery & Installation

Logistics, cranage, mechanical installation, and pipework connection by our teams.

6. Commissioning

FAT, SAT, performance trials, operator training, and handover documentation.

Materials & Construction Options

SS316L

Standard corrosion-resistant stainless for municipal, food, and general industrial applications.

Duplex 2205

Superior chloride resistance for marine, offshore, and high-salinity process waters.

Super Duplex

Maximum corrosion resistance for extreme chloride, sour gas, and high-temperature duties.

Exotic Alloys

Hastelloy, Inconel, and titanium for aggressive chemistries and ultra-high purity requirements.

Need help with pilot testing & validation?

Our experts can design a system tailored to your specific requirements.

Industries We Serve

Our expertise spans multiple industries with sector-specific water treatment solutions.