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Pilot Plant Design & Build

Custom-designed pilot plants from concept to commissioning. Mobile, skid-mounted and fixed configurations engineered for your specific wastewater treatment requirements.

Pilot Plant Design Process

From Concept to Commissioning in 6 Stages

1

Requirements Analysis

We analyse your wastewater characteristics, treatment objectives, site constraints, and regulatory requirements to define pilot plant scope and performance targets.

  • Flow, load, and contaminant profiling
  • Site survey and utility audit
  • Regulatory target mapping (discharge limits)
2

Process Design

Our engineers develop P&ID diagrams, equipment specifications, hydraulic profiles, and control philosophies tailored to your application.

  • Process flow diagrams (PFD) and P&IDs
  • Equipment sizing and duty calculations
  • Control narrative and alarm strategy
3

Fabrication

Pilot plants are fabricated in our production facilities using high-quality materials and certified welding procedures.

  • SS 304/316L construction with TIG welding
  • FRP tanks for corrosive applications
  • Pressure testing and weld inspection
  • Surface finish: 2B mill or pickled/passivated
4

Assembly & FAT

Factory Acceptance Testing verifies all mechanical, electrical, and control systems before shipment, ensuring reliable field performance.

  • Mechanical run-test (4–8 hours)
  • IO check and HMI functional test
  • Calibration certificate for instruments
  • FAT protocol signed off by client (optional)
5

Installation

Our technicians handle mechanical installation, utility connections, control integration, and startup procedures at your site or our test facility.

  • Mechanical bolting and levelling
  • Utility tie-in (power, water, air, drain)
  • Control panel commissioning
  • Safety interlock verification
6

Commissioning

We commission the pilot plant, optimise operating parameters, train your operators, and hand over complete documentation.

  • Process startup and parameter tuning
  • Operator training (theory + hands-on)
  • O&M manual and spare parts list
  • As-built P&IDs and datasheets

Mobile & Fixed Pilot Plants

Choose the Right Deployment Model for Your Application

Containerised Mobile Units

Fully integrated pilot plants housed in standard 20' or 40' CSC-certified shipping containers. Easy transport, minimal site preparation, and rapid deployment for on-site testing.

  • ISO 668 container standard
  • Plug-and-play utilities (power, water, drain)
  • HVAC climate control (−10°C to +45°C)
  • Best for: emergency response, site validation
View Mobile Unit Specifications
MOST POPULAR

Skid-Mounted Systems

Compact, modular skid-mounted pilot plants for indoor installations. Perfect for factory halls, existing buildings, or covered concrete pads with the highest flexibility.

  • Footprint: 6–24 m² depending on flow
  • Indoor or covered outdoor installation
  • Modular expansion (add treatment processes)
  • Best for: indoor validation, R&D centres
Request Skid-Mounted Quotation

Fixed Pilot Facilities

Permanent installations at our test centres or your site for extended testing programs. Ideal for complex process development and long-term validation.

  • Extended test durations (3–24 months)
  • Advanced analytical instrumentation
  • Full on-site laboratory support
  • Best for: long-term R&D, process optimisation
Discuss Fixed Facility Build

Typical Pilot Plant Specifications

Compare Configuration Options Side-by-Side

ParameterMobile ContainerisedSkid-Mounted Most PopularFixed Facility
Flow Rate Range1 – 20 m³/h0.5 – 50 m³/h5 – 200 m³/h
Deployment Time1 – 2 weeks2 – 4 weeks4 – 12 weeks
Footprint14–28 m² (container)6–24 m² (skid)Custom (building-based)
Power Supply400V 3-phase, 16–32 A400V 3-phase, 16–63 A400V 3-phase, 32–125 A
Materials of ConstructionSS 304/316L, FRPSS 304/316L, FRP, PPSS 304/316L, FRP, Duplex
Control SystemSiemens S7-1200 / Allen-Bradley CompactLogixSiemens S7-1500 / SCADA integrationSiemens S7-1500 / DCS / full SCADA
InstrumentationpH, DO, turbidity, flow, levelpH, DO, turbidity, flow, level, COD, TSS, conductivityFull lab + online + auto-sampling
Typical Duration2 weeks – 3 months1 – 6 months3 – 24 months
Best ForEmergency response · Site validationIndoor validation · R&DLong-term R&D · Process optimisation

Pilot Plant Technical Specifications

Equipment, Materials, Controls & Instrumentation

Treatment Technologies Available

We design pilot plants around the Treatment Process your application demands. Single-process or multi-stage configurations.

DAF · 1–20 m³/h
MBBR · 0.5–10 m³/h
SBR · 1–50 m³/h
Filtration · 1–20 m³/h
Lamella · 5–100 m³/h
UV Disinfection

Materials of Construction

Selected for compatibility with your wastewater chemistry, temperature, and abrasion profile.

SS 304/316L — General industrial, food-grade, dairy
SS 2205 Duplex — High chloride, marine, oil & gas
FRP (GRP) — Corrosive acids, pH < 3 or > 11
Polypropylene (PP) — Chemical resistance, low cost
PVC / uPVC — Pipework, dosing lines
PTFE-lined — Extreme chemical environments

Control & Automation

From standalone HMI panels to full SCADA integration with remote monitoring.

PLC: Siemens S7-1200/1500, Allen-Bradley CompactLogix, Schneider M241
HMI: 7–15" colour touchscreen, IP65 enclosure
Protocols: Modbus TCP/IP, PROFINET, EtherNet/IP
Remote: VPN gateway, cloud data logging (optional)
Safety: Emergency stops, door interlocks, leak detection

Instrumentation Package

Standard and advanced analytical instruments for real-time process monitoring and data logging.

pH, ORP, dissolved oxygen (DO)
Turbidity, suspended solids (TSS/MLSS)
Flow (electromagnetic, ultrasonic)
Level (ultrasonic, radar, hydrostatic)
Pressure, temperature, conductivity
Online COD, nutrient analysers (optional)
Auto-sampler with refrigerated storage

What's Included in Every Pilot Plant

Transparent Scope & Deliverables So You Know Exactly What You Get

Hardware & Equipment

  • All process equipment (tanks, pumps, reactors, filters)
  • Process pipework, valves, and fittings
  • Control panel with PLC and HMI
  • Instrumentation and cabling
  • Structural frame, skids, or container modification

Documentation & Drawings

  • P&ID and PFD (as-built)
  • Equipment datasheets and O&M manuals
  • Instrument list with tag numbers
  • Electrical drawings and IO lists
  • FAT protocol and test records

Training & Handover

  • Operator training (theory + hands-on, 1–2 days)
  • Maintenance training and spare parts list
  • Troubleshooting guide and emergency procedures
  • Remote support during first 30 days

What You Provide

  • Power: 400V 3-phase (16–125 A depending on size)
  • Raw water feed and potable water for cleaning
  • Compressed air (6 bar) if required for instrumentation
  • Effluent drainage / sludge disposal route
  • Hardstanding or concrete pad (mobile/skid units)

Deployment & Site Requirements

What to Expect When Your Pilot Plant Arrives

Shipping & Logistics

Mobile units ship as standard ISO containers (CSC-certified) via road, rail, or sea. Skid-mounted systems travel on flatbed trucks with lifting eyes for crane offloading.

  • Worldwide shipping (UK, EU, Middle East, Africa)
  • Export packing and customs documentation
  • Lifting plan and rigging diagram provided
  • Typical delivery: 4–8 weeks from order (mobile)

Site Preparation

Minimal preparation is required for mobile and skid units. Reynolds & Bauhm provides a site preparation checklist before delivery.

  • Level concrete pad or compacted hardstanding
  • Power supply within 10 m of unit
  • Feed water and drain connections
  • Overhead crane or forklift for offloading
  • Access for 40′ lorry and mobile crane

Climate & Environment

Optional HVAC, insulation, and weatherproofing packages ensure reliable operation from arctic to desert conditions.

  • Standard range: −10°C to +45°C ambient
  • Arctic package: −40°C with trace heating
  • Desert package: +55°C with oversized cooling
  • IP55 / IP65 electrical enclosures

Regional Deployment

We deploy pilot plants from our UK, Netherlands, Poland, and Germany facilities to minimise transport time and customs friction.

  • UK & Ireland: 1–2 weeks (road)
  • EU mainland: 3–7 days (road)
  • Middle East / Africa: 2–4 weeks (sea/air)
  • CE marking and ATEX compliance available

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Planning a Pilot Program?

Download our Pilot Plant Design Checklist to prepare your site, define test objectives, and understand equipment requirements. Or request a feasibility consultation and we'll scope a custom pilot plant for your application.

Already have pilot data? See our scale-up methodology →

Industries We Serve

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