Frequently Asked Questions

Simply email us at david@sotomachinery.com or message us on WhatsApp at +86 18653221918 with the following project details:

• Type of wastewater or waste gas to be treated
• Flow rate (m3/h for water, m3/h or Nm3/h for gas)
• Inlet pollutant concentration and required outlet standards
• Site space availability and constraints
• Any specific discharge standards you need to meet

Our technical team will review your requirements and provide a detailed quotation within 24-48 hours, including equipment specifications, pricing, and a recommended process flow.

• Standard equipment: 15-30 days from order confirmation
• Custom-engineered systems: 30-60 days depending on complexity
• Large-scale projects: 45-90 days for multi-unit systems

We provide detailed project timelines during the quotation phase and keep clients updated throughout manufacturing. All equipment undergoes factory testing and quality inspection before shipment.

Yes, the majority of our projects are custom-engineered. Our engineering team analyzes your specific parameters — pollutant types, concentrations, flow rates, site conditions, and discharge standards — to design a treatment system that fits your exact requirements.

We provide process flow diagrams (PFD), general arrangement drawings (GA), and 3D layout proposals as part of our technical proposal.

We have exported to 40+ countries across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa, South America, and Europe. We handle complete export documentation, including CE certification assistance, CO (Certificate of Origin), and compliance with local environmental standards.

For shipping, we can arrange FOB, CIF, or DDP terms depending on your preference. We work with experienced freight forwarders to ensure smooth delivery.

Our standard payment terms are:

• 30% T/T deposit with order confirmation
• 70% T/T balance before shipment (after factory inspection and photos/videos are provided)

For larger projects, we can negotiate milestone-based payments tied to manufacturing progress. We also accept L/C (Letter of Credit) for orders above $50,000.

Absolutely. We welcome factory visits at our Qingdao facility. We can arrange airport pickup from Qingdao Liuting International Airport (TAO) and provide a guided tour of our manufacturing workshops, quality control lab, and completed equipment on the shop floor.

If you’re unable to visit in person, we can arrange a live video factory tour via WhatsApp or WeChat to show you the production process and completed equipment.

To help us provide the most accurate quotation quickly, please prepare:

• Wastewater: daily volume, influent water quality report (COD, BOD, SS, ammonia, pH, etc.), discharge standard required
• Waste gas: exhaust volume, gas composition analysis, temperature, required emission standard
• Available site dimensions and photos
• Power supply specifications (voltage, frequency)
• Any existing treatment equipment or processes
• Expected budget range (optional, but helps with solution optimization)

An Integrated STP is a compact, factory-assembled wastewater treatment system that combines multiple treatment processes (screening, biological treatment, sedimentation, and disinfection) into a single skid-mounted or containerized unit.

Best suited for:

• Small to medium flow rates (5-500 m3/day)
• Sites with limited space
• Residential communities, schools, hospitals, restaurants
• Remote locations without access to municipal sewage systems

Benefits include fast installation (plug-and-play), low operating cost, minimal civil construction, and easy transport.

A DAF system removes suspended solids, oils, and greases by dissolving air into water under pressure, then releasing it at atmospheric pressure in the flotation tank. The microscopic air bubbles attach to suspended particles, causing them to float to the surface where they are skimmed off.

Typical applications: Food processing wastewater, dairy, slaughterhouse, oil refineries, and chemical plants. DAF is particularly effective for wastewater with high FOG (fats, oils, and grease) content.

Our DAF systems are available in capacities from 5 to 200 m3/h, with stainless steel or carbon steel construction.

An MBR (Membrane Bioreactor) combines biological treatment with membrane filtration. The membrane replaces the traditional secondary sedimentation tank, directly separating activated sludge from treated water.

Advantages over conventional systems:

• Superior effluent quality — meets reuse standards directly
• Higher MLSS concentration (8,000-12,000 mg/L vs. 2,000-4,000)
• Smaller footprint — 30-50% less space than conventional activated sludge
• Less sludge production
• Excellent removal of COD, BOD, ammonia, and SS

MBR is ideal for projects requiring high-quality effluent for reuse or strict discharge compliance.

The right process depends on several factors:

• Wastewater characteristics: COD/BOD ratio, TSS, oil & grease, heavy metals, pH
• Flow rate: Daily volume and peak flow
• Discharge standard: Local regulatory limits for each parameter
• Site constraints: Available area, ceiling height, noise limits
• Budget: Capex vs. opex considerations

Share your water analysis report with us at david@sotomachinery.com, and our engineers will recommend the optimal treatment train — whether it’s physicochemical (DAF + filtration), biological (A/O + MBR), or a hybrid approach.

With proper maintenance, our equipment is designed for a service life of 15-20 years. Key components:

• Tank bodies (SS304/SS316 or carbon steel with epoxy coating): 15-20+ years
• MBR membranes: 3-5 years (replaceable)
• Pumps and blowers: 5-8 years with regular servicing
• Control panels (PLC): 8-10 years
• Pipes and valves: 10+ years (PVC/SS material dependent)

We provide a 12-month warranty on all equipment and supply replacement parts throughout the equipment’s lifecycle.

Yes. For wastewater containing heavy metals (such as electroplating, mining, or battery manufacturing effluent), we design systems using a combination of:

• Chemical precipitation: pH adjustment with lime or sodium hydroxide to precipitate metal hydroxides
• Coagulation & flocculation: Using PAC and PAM to aggregate metal precipitates
• Sedimentation or DAF: To separate the metal-laden sludge
• Filtration: Sand filtration or cartridge filtration for final polishing
• Ion exchange (if needed): For ultra-low metal discharge requirements

We analyze your heavy metal concentrations and design the treatment train accordingly to meet local discharge standards.

A UV photolysis purifier uses high-intensity ultraviolet light (185nm and 254nm) to break down volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and malodorous gases. The UV energy splits oxygen molecules to form ozone (O3), which is a powerful oxidant that decomposes organic pollutants into CO2 and H2O.

Best for: Low-to-medium concentration VOCs, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and odor control. Common applications include chemical plants, printing operations, food processing, and animal housing facilities.

UV purifiers are often used as a primary treatment stage, sometimes combined with activated carbon adsorption for complete treatment.

Activated carbon adsorption is best suited for:

• Low to moderate VOC concentrations (below 500 mg/m3)
• Intermittent or variable emission sources
• Odor removal and final polishing stage
• Recovery of valuable solvents (with desorption regeneration)

Choose alternatives when:

• High VOC concentrations (>1000 mg/m3) — consider catalytic oxidation or RTO
• High dust or particulate load — use baghouse dust collector first
• Acid/alkaline gas (HCl, H2SO4) — use wet scrubber
• Large air volumes with very low VOC — consider biofiltration

Our team can help you select the right combination based on your gas analysis report.

A wet scrubber uses a liquid (typically water or chemical solution) to remove pollutants from exhaust gas. The gas passes through a packed bed or spray chamber where the scrubbing liquid absorbs or reacts with contaminants.

Effective for removing:

• Acid gases: HCl, HF, H2SO4, HNO3 (using NaOH solution)
• Alkaline gases: NH3, amines (using H2SO4 or citric acid)
• Dust and particulates
• Some VOCs (water-soluble compounds)
• Mist and droplets

Wet scrubbers are commonly used in electroplating, chemical manufacturing, acid pickling, and semiconductor industries.

The selection depends on a thorough analysis of your exhaust gas. Key factors:

• Gas composition: What pollutants are present (VOCs, H2S, NH3, dust, acid gases)
• Concentration: Pollutant levels in mg/m3
• Exhaust volume: Total air flow rate in m3/h or Nm3/h
• Temperature: Gas temperature at exhaust point
• Emission standard: Required outlet concentration limits
• Operating pattern: Continuous vs. intermittent emission

Often, a multi-stage approach works best — for example, a dust collector + wet scrubber + UV photolysis + activated carbon for complex mixed emissions. Send us your gas analysis and we’ll design the optimal system.

Yes, but high-temperature exhaust (>80C) typically requires pre-cooling before entering the treatment equipment. We offer several options:

• Heat exchanger: Recovers heat energy while cooling the gas (for gas temperatures 150-400C)
• Cooling tower / quench chamber: Direct water spray cooling (for very high temperatures)
• Dilution with fresh air: Simple mixing for moderate temperature reduction

The treated gas after cooling should be below 50-60C for most treatment technologies (UV, activated carbon). We’ll size the cooling system based on your exhaust temperature and volume.

Regular maintenance ensures optimal performance and extends equipment life:

• UV lamps: Replace every 8,000-10,000 hours of operation
• Activated carbon: Replace or regenerate when breakthrough occurs (typically 6-12 months depending on load)
• Wet scrubber packing: Inspect annually, clean or replace if fouled
• Baghouse filters: Replace filter bags every 1-3 years depending on dust load
• Fans and motors: Lubricate bearings quarterly, check for vibration
• Spray nozzles: Check monthly for clogging

We provide a maintenance schedule with each system and can supply replacement parts on demand.

Yes, we offer multiple levels of installation support:

• Remote guidance: Detailed installation drawings, video calls, and step-by-step instructions — suitable for standard equipment and clients with in-house technical teams
• On-site supervision: Our engineer travels to your site to supervise installation, commissioning, and operator training — recommended for custom systems and larger projects
• Turnkey installation: We handle the complete installation including civil works, piping, electrical, and commissioning — available for projects in China and select international locations

On-site supervision typically takes 3-7 days depending on system complexity. Travel and accommodation costs are quoted separately.

All Soto Machinery equipment comes with a 12-month warranty from the date of shipment (or 10 months from installation, whichever comes first). The warranty covers:

• Manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship
• Pumps, blowers, and motors
• Control panels and electrical components
• Tank structural integrity

Not covered: Consumable items (UV lamps, activated carbon, filter bags, membranes), damage from improper operation, unauthorized modifications, or force majeure events.

Warranty claims are handled promptly with free replacement parts shipped via DHL/FedEx.

We provide comprehensive after-sales support:

• 24/7 technical hotline: Contact us anytime via WhatsApp (+86 18653221918) for urgent issues
• Remote diagnostics: Video calls and photo sharing for troubleshooting
• Spare parts supply: We maintain a stock of critical spare parts and can ship within 48 hours
• Operator training: During commissioning, we train your operators on daily operation, maintenance procedures, and common troubleshooting
• Maintenance guidance: Annual maintenance checklists and scheduled service reminders

For long-term support, we offer annual maintenance contracts for projects in China.

Yes. We guarantee spare parts availability for at least 10 years after equipment delivery. Common replacement parts we stock include:

• UV lamps and power supply modules
• Activated carbon (various specifications)
• Filter bags (different materials and sizes)
• MBR membrane modules
• Pumps, blowers, and spare parts (seals, bearings, impellers)
• Valves, pipes, and fittings
• PLC programming and control panel components

Simply email us with your equipment model and serial number, and we’ll dispatch the parts you need.

Yes, operator training is included with every system. During commissioning, our engineer will provide:

• System overview: How each component works and interacts
• Daily operation procedures: Startup, operation, and shutdown sequences
• Maintenance tasks: Daily, weekly, and monthly checklists
• Troubleshooting guide: Common issues and solutions
• Safety procedures: Emergency shutdown, PPE requirements, hazard identification
• Record keeping: Log sheets and performance monitoring

We also provide a comprehensive operation manual in English (and Chinese if needed) with every system.