After good results from the Lab PoC phase, the next stage of the customer process is to really start thinking about the best possible solution for the customer’s needs. We often suggest a technical visit or pilot as the next step. As we explained in the previous article in the series, a S.C.O.P.E. pilot is a cost-effective way to test a continuous process with a customer’s wastewater. However, our range of tools also includes Mobile EPSE™, a purpose-built equipment for side-stream piloting. We have talked a lot about the equipment, and in this article, we will approach Mobile EPSE™ piloting from another angle.
CAPEX & OPEX for the win
There are many advantages to piloting on a significantly larger scale than a laboratory, the most important of which are more accurate CAPEX and OPEX estimates. When testing a continuous process at a scale of 1-2 m3/h, we already know much more about the actual chemical consumption of the process and face challenges that are often not encountered at laboratory scale. We also want to show the customer that the treatment objectives can be achieved in their own circumstances. Another of our objectives is to get to know the customer as our partner and the practices they follow. To meet the safety and environmental requirements of mining and other industries, we need to ensure that our standards match, too. After the pilot, we will deliver a report detailing what we have done and the results we have achieved. We will provide an estimate of chemical and other raw materials consumption per cubic meter and propose next steps.
Practical implementation
The piloting phase starts with the drafting of a contract and a table of responsibilities. At this stage, we discuss the objectives of the pilot with the customer and agree on which tasks are our responsibility and what we need from the customer to achieve a successful outcome. We can adapt our offer according to the customer’s wishes, for example by offering a narrower or wider range of equipment and allowing customer to carry out parts of the operation themselves. In practice, we aim to bring the containers to the site, connect the hoses and operate the pilot independently according to the contract. In practice, however, there are many steps, especially for pilots outside the EU, where we rely on the customer’s help: in particular, the customs clearance and transport of the containers in the destination country is often a complex process, in which the customer has the best knowledge and experience. As a result of the pilots, our expertise will grow, and we will be better able to offer our customers a turnkey solution.
Is something unclear? Are you wondering what kind of contract negotiations will take place for the pilots or what responsibilities can be agreed for the customer? Contact any of our Solutions team experts and they will be able to answer!
Read more about the pilot equipment: Mobile EPSE™
Text was written by Anni Honkonen.