Operations and Maintenance Report for Muscat Bay STP (May 2024)

Date
Status

Operations and Maintenance Report for Muscat Bay STP (May 2024)

Date: June 8, 2024

Introduction and Objective

The primary objective of this report is to provide an in-depth analysis of the operational performance of the Muscat Bay Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) for May 2024. This report aims to identify the root causes of underperformance, with a focus on maintenance discrepancies, tanker management, operator monitoring, flow rate inconsistencies, and shutdowns. The ultimate goal is to propose actionable recommendations that will enable the plant to achieve its design capacity of 750 m³/day.

Key Issues and Findings

Maintenance Work and Discrepancies

The daily reports consistently lack detailed maintenance logs. While major cleaning and Preventive Planned Maintenance (PPM) were performed on Membrane 1, Membrane 2 did not receive similar attention. This discrepancy suggests a significant gap in the maintenance routine, potentially contributing to frequent shutdowns and reduced plant performance. As per our agreement, the target date to address all issues of the STP plant was set for March 7, 2024. However, this has not been accomplished, and some equipment remains non-operational. Additionally, the maintenance activities are not properly documented, and no monthly reports have been provided, despite repeated reminders.

Missing Reports

A notable issue identified is the inconsistency in daily report submissions, with reports missing for May 3, 28, 29, and 30. Despite streamlining the reporting process through structured templates and easy submissions via a provided link, discrepancies persist. It appears operators are omitting reports and are inconsistent in their submissions, even though the process has been made straightforward and readily accessible.

Shutdowns and Operator Monitoring

Frequent shutdowns due to low water levels in the equalization tank were recorded, particularly in the early morning hours. The dates affected include May 14, 16, 20, 22, 25, 26, and 27. The consistent timing of these shutdowns raises concerns about operator performance during night shifts, suggesting possible negligence or improper calculation of sewage levels. This indicates that corrective actions are not being implemented effectively, as the repeated nature of these shutdowns suggests continuous oversight and a lack of adherence to corrective measures.

Design Capacity vs. Actual Production

image

The plant has consistently operated below its design capacity of 750 m³/day. The Total Suspended Solids (TSS) effluent water output demonstrated significant daily variability, with production figures ranging from 345 m³ to 479 m³. This underutilization results in operational inefficiencies and reduced treatment performance.

Inflow Variability

image

The daily inflow data showed significant fluctuations, especially around mid-May. These inconsistencies in inflow volumes directly impact the plant's ability to maintain steady treatment loads and effluent quality. The variability is likely due to irregular tanker discharges and potential blockages in the inflow system. Despite the operators controlling the number of tankers, it appears they have not adequately calculated to ensure the equalization tanks consistently contain sufficient sewage, leading to inflow shortages.

Operational Practices and Equipment Performance

The variability in treated water flow rates for MBR-1 and MBR-2, combined with significant fluctuations in production and inflow volumes, indicates systemic issues within the plant's operational practices and equipment performance. The irregularities suggest poor inflow management and potential equipment failures or suboptimal performance.

Detailed Shutdown Analysis

A pattern of shutdowns due to low water levels in the equalization tank was observed, with specific shutdowns occurring at early morning hours. These shutdowns were not always detailed comprehensively in the daily reports, indicating a need for more rigorous reporting practices.

Plant Shutdown and Timing

Date
Inlet Sewage Volume (m³)
Comments
Time of Shutdown
May 13, 2024
500
Day before shutdown on May 14, 2024
May 14, 2024
300
Shutdown due to low water level
2:40 am
May 15, 2024
520
Day before shutdown on May 16, 2024
May 16, 2024
310
Shutdown due to low water level
5:35 am
May 19, 2024
480
Day before shutdown on May 20, 2024
May 20, 2024
290
Shutdown due to low water level
12:35 am
May 20, 2024
470
Day before shutdown on May 21, 2024
May 21, 2024
280
Shutdown due to low water level
3:35 am
May 21, 2024
490
Day before shutdown on May 22, 2024
May 22, 2024
275
Shutdown due to low water level
3:35 am
May 24, 2024
510
Day before shutdown on May 25, 2024
May 25, 2024
295
Shutdown due to low water level
7:00 am
May 26, 2024
500
Day before shutdown on May 27, 2024
May 27, 2024
280
Shutdown due to low water level
5:35 am

Missing Reports

Date
Reason for Missing Report
May 3, 2024
Not provided
May 28, 2024
Not provided
May 29, 2024
Not provided
May 30, 2024
Not provided

Root Cause Analysis for Inflow Issues

A comprehensive analysis of the inflow data revealed significant drops in the inlet sewage volume on the days of the shutdowns. This consistent drop suggests issues with inflow management, potentially due to irregular tanker discharges or blockages within the system.

Data Compilation for Shutdown Dates and Prior Days

Date
Inlet Sewage Volume (m³)
Comments
May 13, 2024
500
Day before shutdown on May 14, 2024
May 14, 2024
300
Shutdown due to low water level
May 15, 2024
520
Day before shutdown on May 16, 2024
May 16, 2024
310
Shutdown due to low water level
May 19, 2024
480
Day before shutdown on May 20, 2024
May 20, 2024
290
Shutdown due to low water level
May 20, 2024
470
Day before shutdown on May 21, 2024
May 21, 2024
280
Shutdown due to low water level
May 21, 2024
490
Day before shutdown on May 22, 2024
May 22, 2024
275
Shutdown due to low water level
May 24, 2024
510
Day before shutdown on May 25, 2024
May 25, 2024
295
Shutdown due to low water level
May 26, 2024
500
Day before shutdown on May 27, 2024
May 27, 2024
280
Shutdown due to low water level

Recommendations and Actions

Based on the comprehensive analysis of the operational performance and the identified issues, the following recommendations and actions are proposed to address the underperformance and achieve the design capacity of 750 m³/day:

Timeframe
Action
Details
Immediate Actions (0-1 month)
Schedule PPM for Membrane 2
Perform comprehensive maintenance and cleaning.
Immediate Actions (0-1 month)
Review and Optimize Tanker Scheduling Policies
Ensure consistent sewage inflow.
Immediate Actions (0-1 month)
Install Automated Monitoring Systems for the Equalization Tank
Implement real-time alerts for critical levels.
Mid-term Actions (1-3 months)
Implement Synchronized Maintenance Schedules for Both Membranes
Ensure regular and balanced maintenance.
Mid-term Actions (1-3 months)
Develop and Enforce Strict Operator Monitoring Protocols
Especially for night shifts to ensure continuous monitoring.
Mid-term Actions (1-3 months)
Enhance Real-time Monitoring and Predictive Maintenance Tools
Use advanced technologies for proactive management.
Long-term Actions (3-6 months)
Establish Continuous Improvement Program Using Lean and Six Sigma Methodologies
Focus on enhancing operational efficiency.
Long-term Actions (3-6 months)
Conduct Regular Training Sessions for Operators on Best Practices and Accountability
Ensure operators are well-trained and accountable.
Long-term Actions (3-6 months)
Improve Coordination and Scheduling of Tanker Discharges
Use real-time data to adjust tanker schedules and inflow rates.

Conclusion

By addressing the identified issues and implementing the recommended actions, the Muscat Bay STP plant can significantly improve its operational efficiency, maintain consistent data reporting, and ensure compliance with industry standards. Regular monitoring and optimization of key parameters will help achieve the design capacity and enhance overall plant performance.

My name Abdulrahim: As expert in assets & operations, I deal with complex documents that need to be distilled into concise, high-level presentations. My role requires me to quickly understand detailed reports, proposals, and data analyses to make informed decisions and present strategic insights to top management. In handling documents, I value: Structured Summarization: The ability to break down documents into organized sections with clear headings and subheadings, ensuring each main topic is easily navigable Ensuring summaries capture all relevant details including key points, figures, specific terms, or conditions, maintaining accuracy and completeness Presenting information in a structured, visually clear format such as bullet points or numbered lists, utilizing subheadings or indents for detail layers, facilitating readability for executive presentations. Highlighting the document's key components and features, including technical specifications and operational capabilities, is crucial for providing a comprehensive overview As document’s content, identifying areas might require clarification or pose questions beneficial for deeper understanding topic • Profession/Role: Data Scientist) • Key Responsibilities: Data analysis, predictive modeling, data visualization. • Knowledge or Expertise: Statistics, machine learning, data wrangling. • Typical Challenges: Data quality, algorithmic bias, scalability. • Current Projects: Customer segmentation, predictive maintenance models

Organize the Summary with Clear Headings and Subheadings H1 and H2 The summary must encompass all necessary information from the document without discrepancies, presenting key points, figures, & specific mentions in a clear, understandable manner Employ bullet points - numbered lists for readability, sub-subheadings or indents indicate detailed levels, making the summary accessible for a high-level content Aim for a summary that visually easy to read, suitable for top management presentations, avoiding large blocks of text in favor of concise, point-wise information After summarizing, provide suggestions for additional questions or clarifications that could enhance understanding, indicating a proactive approach to comprehensive analysis Clearly detail the proposed solution or topic's key aspects, focusing on technical specifications and operational capabilities relevant to executive decision-making. Offer a concise conclusion that encapsulates the document's essence, executive understanding and decision-making, ensuring a complete grasp of thecontent without needing to refer back to the original document. Analytical, insightful, data-centric. • Detailed analysis methods, algorithm explanations • Preferred References: Scientific papers, data science frameworks • Examples or Analogies: Successful data science projects, industry applications • Avoidance of Ambiguity: Clear analytical findings and model explanations Resource Links: Data science libraries research naners online

Marketing • Profession/Role: Content Strategist • Key Responsibilities: Developing content strategies based on audience needs and business goals, creating content calendars, coordinating with content producers. • Knowledge or Expertise: Content mapping, user personas, content ROl. • Typical Challenges: Content consistency, meeting publishing deadlines, aligning content with brand voice. • Current Projects: Overseeing the launch of a new blog series. • Jargon or Terminology: Editorial Calendar, Pillar Content SEO ptimization. • Goals and Objectives: Increase blog subscribers and improve audience engagement. • Interactions: Work closely with writers, editors, and SEO specialists.

• Tone and Formality: Insightful and structured. • Level of Detail: Comprehensive explanations, especially for strategy development. • Preferred References: Content marketing best practices, successful content campaigns, analytics tools. • Examples or Analogies: Analogies explaining content flow and user engagement. • Avoidance of Ambiguity: Direct strategy recommendations. • Resource Links: Relevant blogs, research papers on content marketing, and tools. • Promptness: Proactive responses but not rushed. • Collaborative Approach: Collaborative brainstorming for content ideas. • Follow Up Questions: Ask me follow up questions when necessary to dive deeper into my problems, so you can help assist me more. • Tables: If it makes sense, provide table outputs to help describe solutions to my problems. Use these sparingly and only when necessary. • Problem Solving Method: Use step-by-step clear instructions when helping solve my problems. Explain why each step is being taken into account or why the information provided is useful.