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University Pilot Testing

Reynolds & Bauhm builds compact, instrumented pilot testing rigs for UK university research. Delivered to your laboratory ready for connection to your influent and data acquisition systems.

Since 2016
Global Delivery
Performance Guaranteed

Bench-Scale Discovery to Pilot-Scale Proof

Every breakthrough in water treatment starts at the bench. But validating that breakthrough at pilot scale demands equipment that reproduces your controlled laboratory conditions with fidelity, not approximation.

We build pilot testing rigs specifically for university research environments. Compact enough for laboratory halls. Instrumented for your data acquisition system. Fabricated to preserve the reaction conditions, hydraulic profiles, and mass transfer characteristics your research depends on.

Laboratory Footprint Optimised

Compact skids and tabletop units designed around standard laboratory dimensions. Quick-connect fittings for building services. No civil works required.

Data Acquisition Ready

Instrumentation outputs compatible with LabVIEW, MATLAB, and standard DAQ hardware. 4-20 mA, Modbus, and digital outputs where your protocol needs them.

University Safety Compliant

Designed to your institution's health and safety requirements. COSHH containment, emergency stops, and spill trays as standard. Full risk assessment documentation.

University pilot testing rig for water treatment research

Pilot Units We Build for Research

Configurable pilot rigs for the most common university water and wastewater research programmes.

Filtration Pilot Rigs

Pressure and gravity filtration pilots with variable media depth, adjustable flow rates, and real-time headloss monitoring. For research into media selection, fouling behaviour, and backwash optimisation.

DAF Pilot Units

Dissolved air flotation pilots with adjustable pressure, recycle ratio, and rise velocity. Instrumented for bubble size distribution measurement and floated solids capture analysis.

Biological Treatment Pilots

MBBR, MBR, and SBR pilots with controlled aeration, variable HRT, and online DO, pH, and ORP monitoring. For research into microbial kinetics, biofilm development, and nutrient removal.

Chemical Dosing Pilots

Coagulation and flocculation jar-test to pilot-scale systems with variable mixing intensity, dosing rate control, and online turbidity and zeta potential measurement.

Sludge Dewatering Pilots

Multi-disc screw press and belt press pilots with adjustable belt speed, pressure, and polymer dosing. Instrumented for cake solids, filtrate quality, and specific resistance measurement.

Adsorption & Ion Exchange Pilots

Column and batch contact pilots for GAC, resin, and novel adsorbent research. With adjustable contact time, pH control, and automated sampling for breakthrough curve analysis.

What Every Research Pilot Rig Includes

Variable Process Control

Adjustable flow rates, detention times, mixing speeds, and chemical dosing rates through the full range your research protocol requires. Not stepped presets, but continuous variable control.

Online Instrumentation

pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, conductivity, and oxidation-reduction potential sensors positioned where your sampling protocol needs them. Calibrated before dispatch.

Automated Sampling

Timed or flow-paced sample collection ports at every process stage. Quick-connect fittings for your analytical equipment. No disruption to hydraulic conditions during sampling.

Data Logging Integration

SD card logging and real-time USB output as standard. Optional Modbus TCP, OPC-UA, or MQTT for direct integration with your laboratory SCADA or data historian.

Plug-and-Play Delivery

Delivered pre-commissioned and wet-tested at our facility. Connect your influent, drain, and power at your laboratory and begin experiments the same day.

Research Documentation

Complete P&ID, operation manual, calibration certificates, and performance prediction report. Everything your ethics committee and grant body requires.

Process Fundamentals & Design

This treatment stage is engineered to achieve specific contaminant removal targets while providing stable, predictable performance across variable inlet conditions. Design parameters are calculated from wastewater characterisation data, regulatory requirements, and site-specific constraints including footprint, energy availability, and operator capability.

Process Optimisation

Design validated by CFD modelling and pilot testing to confirm performance guarantees.

Mechanical Reliability

Equipment selected for 20-year design life with minimal wearing parts and easy access.

Chemical Efficiency

Automated dosing and feedback control minimise reagent consumption and sludge production.

Compliance Assurance

Online monitoring and data logging demonstrate continuous consent compliance.

Design Parameters

Design Flow10 – 5,000 m³/h (application specific)
Inlet VariabilityDesigned for 1:3 peak-to-average flow ratio
Removal Efficiency85 – 99% depending on target contaminant
Hydraulic RetentionCalculated from kinetic constants and safety factors
Power Consumption0.5 – 5.0 kWh/100 m³ (process dependent)
Chemical DoseAuto-controlled based on online analysers
Sludge Production0.2 – 1.5 kg DS/kg contaminant removed
MaterialsSS304, SS316L, or carbon steel with coating

Integration with Treatment Train

No treatment stage operates in isolation. This process is designed to receive conditioned influent from upstream stages and deliver effluent quality suitable for downstream processes. Hydraulic and organic loading rates are balanced across the complete treatment train to prevent bottlenecking and ensure overall plant efficiency. Our engineers model the complete flowsheet to optimise Capital expenditure and Operating expenditure across the plant lifecycle.

Upstream Protection

Screening, equalisation, and pre-treatment protect this stage from damage and overload.

Downstream Conditioning

Effluent quality ensures downstream biology, filtration, or disinfection performs optimally.

Recycle Streams

Reject streams, filtrate, and centrate are routed back to appropriate upstream points.

Related Pages & Equipment

Equipment Catalogue

Browse our full range of water treatment equipment and systems.

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DAF Systems

Dissolved air flotation for solids and oil separation.

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Lamella Clarifiers

High-rate settling for primary and secondary clarification.

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Biological Treatment

Activated sludge, MBBR, and SBR systems for organic removal.

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Sludge Dewatering

Belt press, centrifuge, and screw press dewatering.

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Chemical Dosing

Automated coagulant, flocculant, and pH correction systems.

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Pilot Testing

Validate process performance with on-site pilot trials.

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Speak to Our Engineers

Request a consultation or quotation for your project.

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University Testing Protocols & Methodologies

Test Matrix Design

Systematic experimental design using factorial and response surface methods to maximise information from limited experimental runs while controlling costs.

Online Analytics

Integrated online COD, TOC, pH, turbidity, and flow measurement with automated data logging to university SCADA or cloud platforms.

Mass Balance Closure

Rigorous input-output mass balancing with analytical validation to ensure experimental data integrity and support peer-reviewed publication.

Safety Systems

Gas detection, emergency stop, pressure relief, and spill containment designed to university health and safety standards with full risk assessments.

From Pilot Data to Publication & Patent

Data Quality Standards

Our pilot rigs generate publication-quality data with full traceability. Every sensor is UKAS-calibrated, every sample is chain-of-custody documented, and every result is cross-checked against mass balances and theoretical predictions.

UKAS-traceable instrument calibration with certificates valid for 12 months
Automated data logging with timestamped backups to university servers
Statistical validation including repeatability, reproducibility, and uncertainty analysis

Commercial Pathway

Beyond academic publication, we support the commercial translation of successful pilots through scale-up engineering, techno-economic analysis, and investor engagement.

Scale-up factor calculations from pilot to full-scale with risk analysis
Capital/Operating estimates for commercial implementation with sensitivity analysis
Investor pitch decks and business plans for university spin-out ventures

Request Your Research Pilot Rig

Tell us about your research protocol. We will design and build a pilot rig that reproduces your bench-scale conditions with the fidelity your peer review demands.

Industries We Serve

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