Attachment_A_-_Testing_Criteria.pdf

ATTACHMENT A – TESTING CRITERIA

1. Application: Material will be used as a coagulant for the Orange County Northwest Water

Reclamation Facility, Northwest Service Area.

2. The performance polymer trial shall consist of feeding polymer for a period of up to eight

(8) hours.

a. The biosolids shall be sampled to determine a yield of a minimum 14% biosolids cake.

b. The biosolids cake sample shall be analyzed and tested by the Orange County

Utilities Laboratory Division.

c. Orange County Utilities Laboratory results shall be the only results used to determine compliance to the specifications. The ratio determined from laboratory testing shall be used by the bidder in the completion of the bid response.

3. The Respondent shall supply sufficient polymer to run a performance trial of up to eight

(8) hours or 125,000 gallons, whichever comes first. The polymer supplied by the Bidder for the purpose of completing the performance trial shall be supplied at no expense to Orange County. These quantities do not include bench testing to determine the charge, dosage, or type of polymer or additional quantities needed to re-do the trial should the full-scale trial need to be re-scheduled.

4. The percent biosolids cake shall conform to Environmental Protection Agency/Florida

Department of Environmental Protection (EPA/FDEP) guidelines for disposal.

a. A single unit or multiple units (belt filter press) shall be selected by the County and operated until the units reach a steady state of optimum performance (determined by the County) with the Polymer furnished by the Bidder.

The unit(s) shall then begin a two (2) hour continuous run during which the performance of the Polymer shall be evaluated in accordance with the County specifications listed below.

b. Sludge feed rate shall be determined by Orange County over the entire operational range of the belt filter press, which has a a maximum range of 250 GPM.

1. Biosolids concentration expected to average 0.8% to 1.2%.

2. Dewatered biosolids - Minimum 14%.

3. Hydraulic belt tension set at a minimum of 325 psi to a maximum of 400 psi.

4. Presses shall operate without cake coming out at edges of belt.

5. Solids recovery – a minimum of 95%.

c. County staff shall operate the press, take and analyze the laboratory results. The

Respondent may suggest Polymer feed rate to be used during the eight-hour (8 hr.)

performance trial. The eight-hour period is inclusive of set-up time and tuning to reach an optimum feed rate while the press is in operation.

d. The Respondent shall furnish, at no cost to the County, enough polymer to run the eight (8) hour full scale trial, or to process 125,000 gallons of sludge. Additional product may be needed to re-test should the full-scale trial need to be re-scheduled.

e. The County shall facilitate the connection to the polymer feed system during the full scale trial.

f. The Respondent shall provide the Contracting Agent detailed information on how they will provide their suggested polymer at the time their testing is scheduled. This information will be required for Orange County staff to be informed on the type of connection required to set up the system on the day of testing.

g. Should the County, during the formal testing portion of the program, ascertain the occurrence of any irregularities in procedure or any improprieties on the part of any party to the testing program which could, in the opinion of the County, cast doubt on the results generated by such party, the County may at its own discretion invalidate and/or reschedule the performance trial.

h. Complete technical data sheets shall be attached to the bid at time of submission and at time of polymer performance trial.

i. Orange County’s certified Laboratory will analyze all samples for total suspended solids in mg/L on filtrate, waste activated sludge, and total percent solids on the biosolids for each type of polymer being tested.

j. Orange County Utilities will analyze the results obtained from the Orange County

Laboratory to provide the Respondent with the ratio of pounds of polymer used per dry ton of solids processed. This information will be provided by the Procurement Division and the Respondent shall use this ratio to complete their Fee Schedule Form.

1. GENERAL SELECTION CRITERIA

A. The Respondent shall perform bench testing at the respective facility laboratory, and the County will assist in the field test.

B. The County will provide the Respondent with the samples required to perform the bench test.

C. The type and quantity of polymer necessary will be decided by the Respondent depending on the suggested polymer and the amount of dry sludge it yields.

D. The offered polymer shall not have any side effects, such as toxicity.

2. TESTING OF POLYMERS IN THE LAB – BENCH TEST

A. The Respondent shall supply all polymers for laboratory bench testing at no cost to the County.

B. Each respondent may bench test as many polymers as desired.

C. The County will supply sludge samples for the bench testing from the belt filter press (BFP) feed prior to polymer injection.

D. County will provide space for the Respondent to complete the bench test at the facility lab.

E. Respondent shall provide beakers, pipettes, gang stirrer units and all required equipment for all bench testing.

F. Each respondent will be allowed up to six (6) hours for the polymer bench testing.

G. The Respondent shall determine, without County intervention or consultation, which polymer will be recommended for the full-scale testing in the BFP test.

H. The Respondent shall provide the recommended dose rate per ton of dry solids as quantified and supported by the bench test phase of the bid process.

3. FULL SCALE TESTING IN THE FIELD

A. Each respondent will be allowed to test one selected polymer for full-scale testing.

The selected polymer to be used shall be recommended by the Respondent based on the results of their completed bench test.

B. The Respondent shall supply the polymers used in the full-scale testing at no cost to the County.

C. The County will have each respondent use the same BFP within acceptable belt tension settings, for each full-scale test performed.

D. The County will provide a polymer feed system to be used for each full-scale test performed.

E. Each respondent shall provide enough polymer to allow one (1) eight-hour (8 hr.)

test run for BFP operation.

F. The Respondent shall ask the County representative to make any adjustments. The

County will follow the uniform procedure for making any adjustments relating to tuning of the centrifuge.

G. During each full-scale test run, after the adjustment period, the County will obtain a sample from the sludge feed, thickened or dewatered sludge cake, and liquid side stream flows to be analyzed in the County’s Lab for solids concentration. The sample shall be collected after optimum cake concentrations are achieved. The sample will be analyzed by the Orange County Laboratory and the ratio of pounds of polymer per dry ton of solids will be derived. This information will be provided to the Respondent after the full-scale trial as the ratio is required to complete the Fee Schedule Form.

H. The County will schedule each respondent for one (1) eight-hour (8 hr.) day for the full-scale trial. The full eight-hour period may not be required to complete the testing.