Technical Assessments

A Technical Assessment is typically performed to evaluate a complex problem at a plant. If you have a costly, on-going problem that is resistant to being resolved, it’s common that there is more than one problem present. It may take an experience consultant to uncover the problems and resolve them. DHP has performed hundreds of Technical Assessments since 1988. We have the experience to evaluate and solve any water treatment problem you may have. For more information click [HERE].

Sometimes it pays to call in an expert. So many times someone with knowledge and experience can figure out problems and resolve them so much quicker that a tremendous amount of money can be saved…much more than the cost of the consulting service.

If you have a water treatment problem that needs to be resolved quickly, DHP has the knowledge and experience to show you how. DHP calls this type of consulting service a Technical Assessment. The basics steps of a Technical Assessment are:

• Define the problem
• Obtain data
• Perform an on-site inspection
• Write a Final Report

How a Technical Assessment Works

The following simple procedure is all that it takes to initiate a Technical Assessment to resolve one or more problems at your plant:

1. You contact us by clicking here to discuss a Technical Assessment.
2. If you decide to proceed, you purchase a Technical Assessment.
3. A telephone meeting is set up to obtain as much information as possible prior to the on-site assessment.
4. A DHP consultant comes on-site and evaluates the problem(s) identified
5. DHP issues a Draft Final Report with the following major sections:
   1. Introduction
   2. Background
   3. Process
   4. Findings
   5. Discussion
   6. Recommendations
6. Following any suggestions you have to modify the Final Report, the Final Report is issued.

Examples

Power Generation

DHP has performed Technical Assessments at many power generation plants. One plant had extreme biofouling problems every summer when the feedwater exceeded 85^oF (30^oC). A Technical Assessment and follow-up consulting resulted in control of biofouling to a reasonable level by operational changes and the judicious, short-term use of a biocide.

Drinking Water

DHP has performed Technical Assessments at several drinking water facilities, including fresh water, brackish water and seawater plants. An example was a large RO plant that couldn’t meet performance specifications. A Technical Assessment uncovered so many problems that considerable additional consulting services were required prior to the plant as it should.

Pharmaceutical/Biotech

DHP has performed Technical Assessments at many pharmaceutical/biotech plants. A unique example was a plant that purchased an Emergency Technical Assessment because they were finding fibers everywhere…in the feedwater, the RO permeate and even in the pharmaceutical products. They believed that the RO unit was not removing the fibers so they replaced all of the RO elements. Within three hours of coming on site, the DHP consultant identified that the problem was actually an air pollution problem. The fibers were coming from the buildings air filters and contaminating all samples in the lab. Had the plant called for a Technical Assessment a couple of weeks earlier, they would have saved tens of thousands dollars.

Beverage

DHP has performed Technical Assessments at a few beverage plants. An example was a major bottled water plant. The performance of the RO units was degrading. A few recommendations on how to better operate the plant brought performance back with no additional capital cost.

Microelectronics

DHP has performed Technical Assessments at several microelectronics plants. An example was a plant that had extreme biofouling. The assessment demonstrated that the majority of the pretreatment steps meant to reduce biofouling were actually increasing biofouling. The plant was not willing to modify the pretreatment system so biofouling was reduced through changes in the chemical cleaning and disinfection of the units.

Pulp & Paper

DHP performed a Technical Assessment at a Pulp & Paper plant that was experiencing extreme RO unit performance loss. Looking at the data, the performance would stay flat for awhile then drop. Upon investigation it was discovered that every time the cartridge prefilters were replaced, performance dropped. To make a long story short, the Maintenance Department changed out cartridge filters when the Operations Department turned in a work order to do so, but no one from Operations ever watched the filters being replaced. The filters were completely filled with sand from a broken well casing. This problem was resolved by training the Maintenance people on proper filter changeout and repairing the well.

Other

DHP has performed Technical Assessments at many other industrial plants. An example was a metal finishing company that purchased an RO unit to clean and recycle nitric acid. The unit had blown up almost immediately upon being placed in operation. The problem was…you can’t clean nitric with RO, you use NF specific for the application. Problem solved…the wrong equipment for the job.

Benefits of DHP’s Technical Assessments

• Unbiased services. DHP is primarily a training company. We don’t sell equipment or chemicals so our recommendations are unbiased.
• Experienced. DHP has performed over 100 Technical Assessments in many different industries and market segments.
• Understandable Reports. Being primarily a training company, used to dealing with operators, maintenance personnel, supervisors, engineers, etc., our reports are like our training. We take you step by step so that you completely understand why we make the recommendations that we do. Report Format: Facts, Discussion, Recommendations.
• Cost Effective. DHP can solve problems for less money than larger firms
• Client Satisfaction. Since 1988 DHP has not had a dissatisfied client. In everything we do, we make it right.