HomeMy WebLinkAboutSludge Dewatering Polymer Prequalification
Dewatering Polymer Pre-Qualification
Polymer Supplier Selection 2
Invitation to Bid
The following are the estimated deadlines for polymer manufacturer selection:
□ Distribution of Solicitation Notice: December 1, 2024
□ Manufacturer deadline to submit Notification of Interest: December 15, 2024
□ On-site bench-scale jar test polymer product(s): December 15, 2024 – January 10th, 2025
□ On-site full-scale Performance Testing: January 10th, 2025 – January 31st, 2025
□ Manufacturer deadline to submit formal bids: February 15th, 2025
Polymer Testing Protocol
Polymer suppliers and/or polymer manufacturers will be invited by the City of Bozeman, Montana to
participate in prequalification polymer testing. Dewatering trials will be conducted at the Bozeman
Water Reclamation Facility (WRF). Prequalification trials shall consist of (i) bench-scale jar tests and (ii)
full-scale performance tests. Based on the results of the trials, manufacturers whose polymer has met
the performance criteria for this facility will be asked to submit separate sealed bids presenting their
cost to supply the polymer equipment and/or polymer(s) for the facility. Bids from manufactures for
polymers that have not undergone the full-scale performance tests will not be accepted or reviewed.
The City of Bozeman WRF has a location dedicated for blending and feed of polymer from chemical
totes. The polymer feed equipment is a Fluid Dynamics Model #N0203-F110231, modified to now use a
Blue-White Flex-Pro A2F24-MGG peristaltic emulsion pumping unit. This trial will include performance
testing of the polymers dewatering a mix of anaerobically digested primary and secondary biosolids
(sludges) for one (1) Huber ROTAMAT Screw Press dewatering unit. The results of these tests will
enable vendors to be eligible to bid for supply of polymer suitable for the Huber Screw Press for three
(3) year with the option of two (2) additional years upon mutual agreement of the City of Bozeman and
the selected vendor.
Initial Manufacturer Qualification
Manufacturers interested in participating in the Polymer Trials must submit, at a minimum, the
following items in a Notification of Interest:
1. The manufacturer must be able to provide a minimum of twelve (12) totes (~270 gal, ~2,300 lbs)
of the selected polymer to be delivered within 30 days of date of order. Upon request, supplier
must include freeze protection for shipping during colder time periods to ensure polymer
quality.
2. The manufacturer must provide current listing of ISO certifications such as 9001 and 14001 and
other relative certifications such as designation from the American Chemistry Council as a
Responsible Care® industry to demonstrate its dedication to quality control and environmental
stewardship.
3. The performance testing shall be conducted under the direction of a designated Technical
Representative (TR) provided by the manufacturer at no cost to the City of Bozeman.
Manufacturer shall list the name, address, and contact information for the designated TR.
Upon award of contract, the designated TR must be responsible to quickly address the needs
of the
Polymer Supplier Selection 3
City of Bozeman regarding polymer supply and quality, and provide polymer use technical
assistance.
4. Qualified manufacturers while on plant sites with polymers shall maintain product information
for all polymers that will be considered for the full-scale tests. At a minimum, product
information shall include polymer name, product number, current material safety data sheet
(MSDS) and product specification indicating the % active polymer content.
Notification of Interest package must be received by the City of Bozeman, Montana by the following
representative:
Jon Kercher
City of Bozeman Water Reclamation Facility (WRF)
2245 Springhill Rd., Bozeman, MT 59718
Phone: (406) 582-2935
Email: jkercher@bozeman.net
Based on results of the review of the information provided with the Notification of Interest,
manufacturers that meet the qualifying criteria will be selected to participate in the polymer equipment
and polymer trials program as outlined in the schedule in the Polymer Testing Protocol section.
Polymer Specifications
The polymer equipment and polymer to be tested and bid shall be suitable as a conditioner for screw
press dewatering of anaerobically digested (mixed) primary and secondary sludge biosolids from the
Bozeman WRF. Polymers to be tested shall be high molecular weight cationic or anionic emulsion type
(cationic expected) compatible with the City’s existing polymer mixing and feed equipment noted above.
The polymer may be used for thickening of waste activated sludge via a rotary screen thickener.
Polymer must maintain at least ninety percent (90%) effective strength for a minimum of six (6) months
after delivery when stored in a covered, heated, and ventilated area (60°F to 80°F).
Polymer Testing Protocol
The prequalification polymer testing consists of (i) bench-scale jar testing and (ii) full-scale performance
testing. To prepare for the polymer testing, site visits by manufacturers to the WRF facilities are by
appointment only coordinated through the key facility representative. Unauthorized/unscheduled facility
visits at any time by the manufacturer, or its representatives are grounds for removal from the polymer
trials program.
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• Bench-scale Testing
Manufacturers will bench-scale test their polymer product(s) to determine which product
provides the best potential thickening. Bench-scale testing will be conducted by appointment
only by the manufacturers TR. All testing will take place at the Water Reclamation Facility (WRF)
Laboratory located at 2245 Springhill Rd., Bozeman, MT. Representative samples of
anaerobically digested sludge for dewatering testing will be provided and delivered by the WRF
operations staff. All manufacturers who are selected to participate will be given an appointment
to perform tests to screen their polymers. The appointment will be arranged at a date/time
mutually agreeable upon with the WRF staff and the TRs. Manufactures and TRs are responsible
for any lab and testing equipment they feel necessary to conduct their tests beyond or in
addition to the supplies and equipment available for use at the WRF.
• Full-scale Performance Testing
Full-scale testing will be performed by WRF operations staff with technical input from the TRs. A
meeting will be held individually with each manufacturer before initiation of the full-scale
testing to review the goals, conditions, testing protocol and responsibilities for the testing. The
full-scale testing program will be conducted at WRF Solids & Dewatering Building and
Laboratory, scheduled from January 10, 2025 – January 31, 2025. A detailed full-scale testing
schedule will be developed to coordinate plant operations, TR availability, polymer supply, etc.
Prior to and during testing, the polymer supplier shall ensure that equipment to be used in the
test at the plant will not adversely affect test results. The TR is responsible for verifying that test
conditions and equipment are acceptable.
All pumps, tanks, mixers, etc. required for full-scale testing, in addition to what is available with
WRF’s existing blending and feed equipment, shall be provided and set up by the polymer
supplier. Each TR will be responsible for performing any preliminary tests needed to determine
initial polymer dosage required to minimize the effect on subsequent operations and to insure
than an adequate supply of polymer is provided for the duration of testing. Polymer supply for
up to 24 hours (two 8 to 10 hr days) will be allowed for each polymer proposed. The specific test
duration (within the limits outlined above) and polymer quantities will be determined by the
polymer supplier. The polymer for performance testing must be delivered to the respective
facility at no cost to the City of Bozeman. Polymer shall be delivered to the plant a minimum of
24-hours prior to the scheduled testing date.
A daily trial schedule will be established prior to the testing date. On the day of the testing, each
TR will be given an ample amount of time to make adjustments regarding polymer makeup and
feed conditions (polymer mix conc., initial feed rates, etc.) before the official trial period begins.
TRs will be allowed to sample the feed sludge at a single representative point of the process as
designated by the WRF Superintendent.
Polymer Supplier Selection 5
1. Full-scale testing will be allowed by appointment only.
2. Polymer will be evaluated on a pass/fail basis for minimum performance criteria listed below.
3. Operating parameters including polymer carrier/dilution water, neat dose, screw press speed are
available for adjustment at the TRs request.
4. Plant personnel will analyze samples. Split samples may be analyzed by a state of Montana
certified laboratory, at the manufacturer’s request and expense.
5. The manufacturer, at their own expense, shall remove and lawfully dispose of all unused
product and containers at the conclusion of testing. At the City’s request, the manufacturer shall
turn over any remaining unused blended polymer to the City at no cost.
In the event of equipment breakdown or malfunction, the City of Bozeman may elect (at their
discretion) to reschedule a full-scale performance test. In this event, rescheduled date(s) shall be
mutually agreed upon by the City of Bozeman and the manufacturer(s).
The City of Bozeman reserves the right to terminate testing immediately at their discretion if they
determine that a polymer product does not meet the performance requirements or that the polymer
being utilized is detrimental to equipment operation or performance.
The manufacturer shall monitor the testing to verify that all polymers and other related variables are
within normal operating parameters. The TR should communicate any concerns to the WRF
Superintendent no later than two (2) days after completion of testing. Polymers that require the
equipment to be run outside normal operating variables will be removed from consideration.
Upon completion of the full-scale trials, a copy of the performance data for the polymer supplied by
and tested for a manufacturer will be supplied to that manufacturer’s TR for use in developing bid
documents.
The following conditions will apply to the full-scale performance test:
Polymer Supplier Selection 6
Expected Dewatering Performance: (minimum criteria)
Example Polymer Performance Calculation per Qualified Polymer
P$ = Polymer Cost ($/lb) PD = Polymer Density (lbs/gal)
PA = Active Polymer (%)
$1.50/lb
8.50 lbs/gal
40%
*Manufacturer data
*Manufacturer data
*Manufacturer data
SFR = Screw Press Feed Rate (GPM) 30 GPM *Trial testing operating setpoint
DTS = DIG #3 Total Solids (%) 2.50 % *Sample tested in lab CTS = Screw Press Cake Total Solids (%) 18.00% *Trial sample tested in lab STS = Screwnate Total Solids (%) 0.30% *Trial sample tested in lab
Parameter Value Units
Dry Tons per Year
1,200 Bone Dry Standard Ton/Year
Dose
Feed Gallons per Minute
33
25-50
LB/DT
GPM
Feed Sludge Total Solids
2.5% % TS
Dry Cake Percent Total Solids
18% % TS
Operating Days per Year 312 Days
Operating Days per Week 6 Days
Operating Hours per Day 24 Hours
Polymer Supplier Selection 7
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