The use of blower Air (Aeration Flow) is necessary to oxygenate the aeration basins to assist in the process of breaking down municipal waste. While a dissolved oxygen meter (DO meter) provides the primary signal to assure that conditions are optimal for bacterial growth, it is the Air flow that provides the oxygen that maintains the proper environment for breaking down the raw sewage. Furthermore, closely controlling the aeration process can reduce energy consumption by as much as 25%, and accurate measurement is critical to achieving this goal.

Sage Thermal Mass Flow Meters are ideal to monitor the main blower Air header as well as the branches leading to the aeration basin. In larger systems, even the drop lines can be monitored. By monitoring the Air Mass Flow and feeding back the data to a blower control system, the proper DO level can be achieved resulting in optimal bio-chemical reaction and hence more effective sludge breakdown, as well as better odor control. Furthermore, effective control of the blowers can reduce energy costs by as much as 25% (in contrast to manually adjusting the blowers, or at some older plants, leaving the blowers on permanently). The fast response time, ease-of-installation, and low pressure drop of the Sage TMFM, offers an ideal solution to Waste Water control.

Biogas is produced when organic matter such as household food waste, plant matter, or industrial waste decomposes in the absence of oxygen. This may take place in an anaerobic digester to produce biogas. Biogas is primarily a mixture of methane (about 70%) and carbon dioxide (about 30%). The complete biogas production process involves gas creation, cleansing, storage and ultimately the use of biogas as a fuel source for heating or generating electricity.

The Sage Biogas TMFM serves as an integral part for the safety of this process, whether involved with food processing, fermentation towers, or slaughterhouses. Measuring biogas flow at several points in the system provides operators with critical information for optimal gas production, control and safety. Furthermore, many recovery systems comply with Greenhouse Gas Protocols such as the Organic Waste Project Protocol and the KYOTO Protocols, both of which require measurement of Biogas. Such requirements include Certified Emission Reductions (CER), a credit system, and the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), which encourages investment in sustainable development projects to reduce emissions. Sage Thermal Mass Flow Meters help quantify the captured emissions by measuring the mass flow rate, even at very low flows, and by providing a very easy way.

Municipal water districts and waste water treatment facilities use chlorine to disinfect water. Proper, real-time control of the proper concentration of chlorine is critical for the effectiveness and safety of the operation.

Sage In-Line Style Thermal Mass Flow Meters, with optional Hastelloy construction (all wetted parts) can provide real time flow rate data to properly control the Chlorine dosage for optimal water purification.

Digester Gas from farming and other agricultural operations is generated from the breakdown of livestock waste when the gas is captured within a large plastic cover, known as a digester. The manure decomposes in the absence of oxygen. Normally, the decomposition of livestock waste on farming operations or dairies, results in vast sums of methane naturally venting to the atmosphere. However, by capturing this methane with an anaerobic digester, the biochemical reaction converts the methane into a mix of 65% methane and 35% carbon dioxide. A digester system can provide a source of fuel for heating or generating electricity. It also reduces greenhouse gas emission since methane which is 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas. There are hundreds of farming operations which reduce greenhouse gas emissions and accrue emissions credits to meet the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) reporting standards, the US Livestock Project Protocol or to comply with Kyoto protocols.

Sage Thermal Mass Flow Meters helps quantify the emissions that are saved by measuring the mass flow rate, even at very low flows, and by providing a very easy way to conduct the required periodic calibration field checks with its unique In-Situ Calibration procedure. In addition, Sage provides flare gas Flow Meters, engine Flow Meters, and a variety of other Thermal Mass Flow Meters that are involved in digester gas monitoring and reporting.

Digester Gas (typically 65% methane and 35% carbon dioxide) is produced when organic matter, such as raw sewage, decomposes in the absence of oxygen. Modern WWTP processes incorporate digester gas flow measurement systems for the plant's process performance and control, as well as a source of fuel to generate engines for supplemental plant power. The excess gas can run onsite generators or pumps, and in some cases is added to a larger power grid.

Sage Thermal Mass Flow Meters are ideal for monitoring the Digester Gas Flow Rate of the WWTP digesters to improve overall system balance and operation, as well as to measure the flow rate of gas for co-generation systems, to measure the amount of excess gas being stored, and to monitor flare gas to comply with environmental regulations and/ or to report on greenhouse gas reduction credits.

Ethanol production is a complex process involving both fermentation tanks and distillation tanks. Thermal Mass Flow Meters measure the flow of air and fuel going into the distillation tanks to improve the air/ fuel ratio. Better combustion control improves boiler efficiency and helps reduce emissions. Also, Thermal Mass Flow Meters measure the CO2 leaving fermentation tanks, which is essential in assessing process inefficiencies or meeting requirements for Environmental compliance.

Sage Insertion Style Thermal Mass Flow Meters are easy to install in existing boiler lines. Their wide turndown and fast response to flow changes provide an ideal solution to help optimize the combustion efficiency associated with the distillation process. The Sage Flow Meters have.

Oil Refineries, Well Drilling Operations (such as Off Shore Oil Rigs), Waste Water Treatment plants Chemical Processing plants, Natural Gas plants, and Landfills are but a sampling of applications where waste gases are flared. Flares are subject to stringent regulations, requiring operators to measure, record and report the amount of flared gases. Requirements to monitor the flow rate and consumption of Flare gas may involve measurement at points within a complex series of feeder and header pipes, as well as the actual Flare stack. In addition, monitoring of the flare output provides important information for process control.

Sage Insertion Style Thermal Mass Flow Meters provide the wide turndown required to cover both the extremely low flows (low velocities) associated with normal venting, as well as the extremely high flow (high velocities) associated with an upset condition). Their fast response to flow changes, low pressure drop, and reproducibility, are important characteristics for a Flare application. In addition, Sage Flow Meters provide the customer with a unique In-Situ calibration Check at a "No Flow" (0 SCFM) condition. This important procedure, assures that the Flow Meter has retained the original NIST Traceable calibration, verifies the meter's accuracy, and also confirms that the sensors are clean, and that the Flow Meter hasn't drifted or shifted. This is a tremendous benefit, since it eliminates the cost and inconvenience of annual calibrations on the flow meter, and also provides the data needed to comply with a number of Environmental protocols.

Flue Gases are a by-product of a combustion process, and usually consists of nitrogen and carbon dioxide with traces of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, other trace gases and miscellaneous particulates. Most Flue Gas generally contains pollutants, and as such is regulated by local or regional air quality districts and/ or the federal government. Thus, the stacks, ducts, chimneys large pipes or other process system venting often requires flow metering to comply with environmental reporting.

Sage Insertion Style Thermal Mass Flow Meters provide the wide turndown required to cover both the extremely low flows (low velocities) associated with normal venting, as well as the extremely high flow (high velocities) associated with wide swings in output. Their fast response to flow changes, low pressure drop, and reproducibility, are important characteristics for a flue gas reporting application. In addition, Sage Flow Meters provide the customer with a unique In-Situ calibration Check at a "No Flow" (0 SCFM) condition. This important procedure, assures that the Flow Meter has retained the original NIST Traceable calibration, verifies the meter's accuracy, and also confirms that the sensors are clean, and that the Flow Meter hasn't drifted or shifted. This is a tremendous benefit, since it eliminates the cost and inconvenience of annual calibrations on the flow meter, and also provides the data needed to comply with a number of Environmental protocols.

Landfill Gas is generated from the breakdown of municipal solid waste. There are hundreds of municipal Landfills, all of which produce a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide with traces of nitrogen, oxygen and other gases. In active Landfills, these gases are extracted from multiple wellheads and collected through a network of pipes to a common header pipe. Typically, the gas is about half methane and half carbon dioxide and can be used to replace traditional fossil fuels to heat buildings, boilers and kilns, run generators to make electricity, and even produce fuel to power vehicles. A typical municipal Landfill can produce enough energy from landfill gas to power thousands of homes for many years. In addition to generating power, Landfills are frequently involved with Carbon Offset projects. There are over 1000 Landfills worldwide where Landfill gas is collected which reduces greenhouse gas emissions and accrue emissions credits to meet the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) reporting standards, or to comply with Kyoto protocols.

Sage Thermal Mass Flow Meters helps quantify the emissions that are saved by measuring the mass flow rate, even at very low flows, and by providing a very easy way to conduct the required periodic calibration field checks with its unique In-Situ Calibration procedure. In addition, Sage provides Flare Gas Flow Meters, Engine Flow Meters, Wellhead Monitoring Portable Datalogging Flow Meters, and a variety of other Thermal Mass Flow Meters that are involved in Landfill Gas monitoring and reporting.

At large Municipal Waste Water Treatment Plants deodorizing of the aeration basins may be required. This can be achieved by blending a controlled quantity of a fragrancing agent with Oxygen. The fragrance infused Oxygen, is then injected directly into the aeration basins as a deodorant, which minimizes the effect on nearby communities.

Sage Thermal Mass Flow Meters provide an accurate, real time measurement of the Mass Flow Rate of the Oxygen, so the dosage of the fragrancing agent can be controlled.

Ozonating systems are frequently offered as an alternative to Chlorination in Water Treatment Plants. This method is environmentally friendly and dependable. Generally, a mix of 10% Ozone (O3) and 90% Oxygen (O2) is employed, sometimes with a trace amount of nitrogen.

The Sage In-Line Style of Thermal Mass Flow Meter, calibrated for the exact mix of Ozone and Oxygen, provides the means to accurately deliver the proper mix of the gas to optimally and safely purify the water. Direct Mass Flow, fast response, and extraordinary reproducibility are important benefits for this important application.

The US EPA mandate per 40 CFR Part 98 requires greenhouse gas emissions reporting effective January 1, 2010. Over 10,000 facilities have operations that fall under the reporting requirements to report annual output (in tons of mass flow) of greenhouse gases. Some of those applications are described in this Environmental Section in other specific listings: See Landfill Gas, Digester Gas –Farming Operations, Bio Gas, Ethanol Distillation & Refining, Flare Gas and Flue Gas.

Sage Thermal Mass Flow Meters helps quantify the emissions that are saved by measuring the mass flow rate, even at very low flows, and by providing a very easy way to conduct the required periodic calibration field checks with its unique In-Situ Calibration procedure. In addition, Sage provides non-resettable totalizers, and a variety of outputs to comply with the various protocols associated with the US EPA Greenhouse Reporting and other Environmental protocols.