Mackay Base Hospital UV Sterilisation System

Customer: Queensland Health

Location: Mackay, QLD

Case Study ID: CS-53

Date: February 2014

Download PDF Version >>

Overview

Dowdens Pumping & Water Treatment have successfully designed, installed and commissioned a specialised Ultraviolet filtration system for the Queensland Health Mackay Renal Unit.

The Problem

The original system was operated by pumping town water to individual filtering stations where the water would pass through a 5 micron, 1 micron and carbon filter on its way to the dialysis machine (includes an internal reverse osmosis filter). The issue Dowdens faced was the original system filters were only lasting between 5 – 15 hours, and by this stage, they were black and needed to be replaced.

Our Solution

After reviewing detailed water test results, Dowdens designed a compact, reliable system where the existing pump was upgraded, a water softening unit was added to remove iron, calcium and manganese. Large cartridge filters were also installed to pre-filter the water before it entered a dedicated UV steriliser.

Using the above system, the Mackay Renal Unit now only needs to replace the system’s filters every 7 to 10 days – saving thousands of dollars in ongoing system maintenance costs.

Key Components

Due to limited space, the system design had to be compact and robust
Complex pipework was needed to reticulate above and around existing equipment
All water treatment system components required the ability to be isolated to enable easy service and system part replacements
PURION water softening unit to remove iron, calcium and manganese
All plumbing and pipe fixtures installed by Dowdens Pumping & Water Treatment (Solution Engineering)
Grundfos pump supplied on request from Queensland Health

Project Design Philosophy

Dowdens Pumping & Water Treatment’s design philosophy for this project was:

Cost-Effectiveness
Current Best Practice
Ease of Installation
Simple & Effective System Operation
System Reliability