Scaling UP! H2O Podcast Por scalinguph2o.com arte de portada

Scaling UP! H2O

Scaling UP! H2O

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The podcast where we scale up on knowledge so we don't scale up our systems. Find out why working in Industrial Water Treatment is the best job in the world. Hear industry experts share their knowledge and stories. Learn about technologies, methods, and career journeys. Join podcast host Trace Blackmore, former AWT President, LEED, and CWT every Friday for a new episode.© 2018 All Rights Reserved, Blackmore Enterprises, Inc. Economía
Episodios
  • 471 Biofilms, Biocides, and TTPC: A Deep Dive with Dr. Jeff Kramer
    Apr 10 2026
    Biofilm is not a fringe issue in cooling systems. As Dr. Jeff Kramer explains, it is a given. That matters because biofilm affects heat transfer, contributes to corrosion, and can serve as a reservoir for Legionella in treated systems. In this conversation, Trace Blackmore and Dr. Kramer examine what experienced water treaters should be looking for when choosing and evaluating a microbiological control program. Biofilm as an operating problem Dr. Jeff defines biofilm as a community of microorganisms attached to a surface and held together by an external polymeric matrix. From there, the discussion moves quickly into why this matters in the field. He points to research showing that biofilms can be more insulating than mineral scale, then explains how microbial activity and patchy film formation can intensify corrosion risk. He also notes that Legionella can be harbored within biofilm, making clean-looking bulk water an incomplete picture of system condition. Choosing the right biocide program A strong oxidizing biocide foundation remains central, whether based on chlorine or bromine. However, Dr. Jeff makes a practical distinction that matters to service professionals: some non-oxidizing biocides kill biofilm organisms without removing the film, while others both kill and remove. He also explains why shock dosing often outperforms smaller, more frequent additions, and why biocide timing should be evaluated in the context of oxidizer compatibility, halogen demand, and actual system feedback rather than habit or opinion. Surfactants, TTPC, and field realities The conversation also covers how surfactants and quaternary compounds can disrupt microbial membranes and improve biocide penetration. Dr. Jeff shares lab and field insight on TTPC, including its strong performance in kill-and-removal testing and its known interference with PTSA fluorescence programs. The discussion closes with practical monitoring advice: inspect the basin, feel below the waterline, trend dip slides, watch approach temperatures, and pay attention to residence time when selecting products for different system volumes and turnover rates. Better microbiological control is not about one product or one rule of thumb. It is about understanding the system, interpreting feedback, and matching chemistry to operating reality so performance can be maintained over time. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Quotes "You need to understand, listen to the feedback you're getting from the system and then adjust your program appropriately. " "Don't be afraid to ask for help because you don't know you don't know everything" Connect with Dr Jeff Kramer Phone: (404)-386-0518 Email: jkramer@mfgchemical.com Website: https://www.radicalpolymers.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/traceblackmore/ ?skipRedirect=truuee Guest Resources Mentioned CTI's New Biocide Options For Biofouling Control by Jeffrey Kramer Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea The Rising Tide Mastermind 253 The One About Biofilms Words of Water with James McDonald Today's definition refers to the exact chemical amount required for a reaction to proceed to completion with no excess of any reactant. It describes the quantitative relationships between reactants and products. Can you guess the word or phrase? 2026 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
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    57 m
  • 470 Wastewater Enthusiast: Training the Next Generation Online
    Apr 3 2026
    Shawn Powell has built a following by doing something wastewater operators have needed for a long time: making practical technical education easier to access. In Episode 470, he explains why that matters, how he built The Wastewater Enthusiast, and what the industry still gets wrong about training, certification, and knowledge transfer. From test prep to true understanding A major thread in this conversation is the gap between passing an exam and actually understanding plant operations. Shawn reflects on his own early experience with certification prep, where classes helped him recognize test questions but did not always help him understand what was happening inside a real activated sludge system. That gap became the foundation for his channel. He makes the case that operators need more than memorization. They need visuals, process context, and practical explanations that help concepts stick. For professionals responsible for training staff, succession planning, or improving plant performance, that distinction matters. What real operations look like on the ground Shawn also brings credibility from the plant floor. He describes his work as chief plant operator in Avila Beach, California, where a small facility still demands close attention because of its biological complexity, membrane bioreactor operation, and chemical dosing requirements. A story about foam erupting from an aeration basin becomes more than a war story. It shows how biology resists quick fixes and why operators have to think in time horizons measured in MCRT cycles, not minutes. The conversation also touches on shock loads, public misuse of sewer systems, and the daily balance between observation, testing, automation, and operator instinct. That practical perspective keeps the discussion grounded for listeners who live with process variability every day. Why free knowledge matters One of the strongest sections centers on Shawn's idea of the "democratization of knowledge." He argues that critical wastewater education should not be locked behind paywalls or trapped in the heads of reluctant gatekeepers. That point expands into a broader discussion about generational turnover, operator shortages, and the risk of losing hard-earned plant knowledge as experienced professionals retire. Shawn also explains how monetization entered the picture without changing the mission. Training workshops, webinars, YouTube revenue, and memberships have started to support the project, while his core educational content remains open to everyone. Exam strategy, content strategy, and long-term value The episode closes with practical advice for certification candidates. Shawn stresses long preparation windows, disciplined use of official study materials, and a simple but critical reminder: read the question completely. He also shares how he chooses content, responds to viewer needs, and uses real plant events to teach beyond the textbook. For leaders, trainers, and operators alike, this is a useful conversation about how technical knowledge gets shared, preserved, and improved. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Connect with Shawn Powell Phone: (530) 859-2787 Email: powell.shawnm@gmail.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-powell-792020197/ Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned AWT (Association of Water Technologies) Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea The Rising Tide Mastermind Words of Water with James McDonald Today's definition is a flexible, one‑way item installed on the feed end of a spiral‑wound reverse osmosis membrane element. Its job is to force all incoming feedwater to flow through the membrane feed channel rather than bypassing around the outside of the element. Can you guess the word or phrase? 2026 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
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    1 h y 11 m
  • 469 ABMA: The Oldest Association Meets Today's Challenges
    Mar 27 2026
    Boiler performance rarely depends on a single decision. It depends on design, controls, maintenance, workforce capability, and, as this conversation makes clear, the quality of water treatment. Scott Lynch and Shaunica Jayson explain how American Boiler Manufacturers Association (ABMA) is addressing those realities by connecting manufacturers, representatives, suppliers, and field stakeholders around education and practical guidance. Why ABMA still matters in a changing boiler market ABMA has been in place since 1888, but this discussion is not about preserving old structures for their own sake. Scott and Shaunica describe an association that has expanded beyond traditional manufacturer membership into a broader supply-chain view of the boiler room. That includes boiler, burner, deaerator, and economizer manufacturers, component suppliers, service providers, consultants, and manufacturer representatives. That broader view matters because boiler performance does not begin and end with the vessel itself. Decisions made across installation, controls, service, and water treatment shape efficiency, reliability, and long-term asset life. Education that reaches the people actually running boiler rooms A strong theme throughout the conversation is education. ABMA is reaching beyond its own meetings to speak with healthcare engineers, food processors, facility engineers, and other sectors that rely on boilers every day. Scott outlines the practical angle of that work: what operators should be doing on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis to keep boiler rooms safe and efficient. Shaunica adds that ABMA is building toward a larger resource center, on-demand materials, and expanded access to white papers and best-practice guidance. They also discuss partnerships with trade schools and Maritime Academies as part of a larger workforce strategy. For water professionals, that matters because better-informed boiler operators create better conditions for treatment programs to succeed. Water treatment is not a side issue One of the clearest takeaways is that water treatment remains central to boiler performance. ABMA's work with the Association of Water Technologies is helping align deaeration and chemical treatment perspectives into a single, co-branded guidance document. That effort is meant to reduce finger-pointing, improve technical clarity, and give end users a more unified message. Scott is direct about the operational stakes: poor water treatment drives scaling, damages equipment, and undermines efficiency. The discussion also pushes back on outdated assumptions about boiler rooms, highlighting gains in efficiency, modern controls, remote monitoring, retrofit options, and emerging technologies such as hydrogen, dual-fuel, and hybrid systems. Boiler systems may be longstanding infrastructure, but the thinking around them cannot stay static. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 01:18 - Trace introduces ABMA, explains its relevance to water treaters, and previews the upcoming ABMA Expo 03:11 - Trace gives a concise history of boilers, from early steam vessels to modern high-efficiency systems 07:36 - Scott Lynch and Shaunica Jayson join the show and introduce themselves and their roles at ABMA 08:18 - Scott explains how ABMA has evolved from a manufacturer-focused association into a broader industry organization spanning the full boiler supply chain 10:27 - Shaunica outlines ABMA's four membership categories, including manufacturers, associate members, consultants, and manufacturer reps 33:18 - The discussion shifts to the ABMA–AWT partnership and the co-branded water treatment guideline 34:58 - Scott explains why deaeration and water treatment need to be addressed together to produce useful technical guidance 36:31 - Shaunica shares what ABMA learned from attending the AWT conference and why the partnership helps reduce finger-pointing between disciplines 38:19 - The conversation moves to Boiler Expo, including why ABMA launched it and how it is designed to serve the full boiler community 40:49 - Shaunica explains the co-location with the Biomass Conference & Expo and highlights ABMA's BUILT and WIBI communities 45:18 - Scott and Shaunica close with their key takeaways: the boiler industry is evolving, and ABMA is a resource for the field 53:50 - Words of Water with James Connect with Shaunica Jayson Email: Shaunica@abma.com Website: American Boiler Manufacturers Association (ABMA) LinkedIn: Shaunica Jayson | LinkedIn Connect with Scott Lynch Email: scott@abma.com Website: American Boiler Manufacturers Association (ABMA) LinkedIn: Scott Lynch, CAE | LinkedIn Quotes "Our official mission is to lead, advance and provide solutions to the boiler industry." "Our vision is boilers are recognized for advancing energy ...
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    57 m
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