Wastewater Treatment Plant Design Software

Created by engineers and programmers in the wastewater industry, the Transcend Design Generator (TDG) aims to streamline wastewater design for utilities, engineering consultants, and equipment suppliers. TDG rapidly produces unique, optimized wastewater facility designs, including 3D BIM models and equipment lists. By integrating generative design, AI, and industry best practices, our platform ensures each project adheres to the highest standards of safety, engineering, and performance.

More than 360M people in over 70 countries have been impacted by Transcend designs

Let’s design better infrastructure – start your journey today or book a demo through the links on the right.

Simple user interface
User friendly

Simple user interface

The TDG interface enables users with minimal wastewater engineering knowledge to those with significant expertise to generate and analyze complete preliminary wastewater treatment facility designs. Starting with the entry of a number of simple input parameters, engineering decisions take place in a completely automated fashion.

To guide users throughout the data entry process, special data validation parameters are present to ensure data quality and consistency. The data validation is based on general process design principles used in all biological wastewater treatment processes, independent of size, location or technology. Special, non-required fields are also implemented, to give wastewater experts the option to incorporate more specific, customized input parameters, resulting in designs which more closely match specific client requirements for any situation.

Process design simulation
Simulations

Process design simulation

Using the data inputted by the user, supplemented by additional details from our proprietary influent, effluent, and regional databases, Design Generator starts with a full wastewater treatment process simulation. Through the representation of chemical, physical, biological, and other technical processes and unit operations, all run in industry-standard simulators, highly defined Process Simulations are executed within Design Generator.

The outputs of the simulation serve as a basis for all Process Schemes and Process related documentation generated by Design Generator, as well as provide input for equipment selection and BIM model generation. The simulation uses both Steady-State and Dynamic modeling, capable of introducing variable parameters, such as influent wastewater temperature fluctuations or daily and seasonal influent flow variations. Design Generator is capable of creating engineering documents for CAS, MBR, IFAS, MBBR, and other facilities. In addition, due to the modular nature of this subsystem, alternative technologies can be implemented with ease.

Equipment selection
Equipment

Equipment selection

Once the process simulation is complete, Design Generator uses a combination of the input data, simulation outputs (tank sizes and process unit selections), and decision algorithms in order to size and select each piece of equipment needed to construct the wastewater facility. Design Generator leverages an extensive equipment database built up over a decade, containing up to date size, power, and other relevant data on every equipment type.

We work closely with equipment suppliers including screening, blower, diffuser, belt press, pump, valve, and other mechanical equipment manufacturers in order to ensure accuracy and consistency in the equipment selected. Once the mechanical equipment has been sized and chosen for the project, Design Generator chooses the valves and instruments, then generates a virtual Equipment List and Instrument List, which is later used by the Drawing Generator Module to create the P&ID and other documentation needed for the project.

Abstract building modeling
Abstract models

Abstract building modeling

After all elements of a wastewater treatment facility are selected and designed, the next step is determining how the facility will be structured. Depending on both Mechanical Engineering and Process Modeling outputs, Abstract Building Modeling solves the challenge of placing all elements of a wastewater facility in physical space.

Designing reactor spaces, equipment buildings, and control room locations are all part of this coordination management process, along with the finer details of architecture such as wall thicknesses, construction materials and general building construction elements. To create as sophisticated of a model as possible, the subsystem utilizes optimized generative algorithms for general architectural arrangements. The whole process serves as a tool to finalize all documentation and specifications in a very time-efficient and platform-independent manner.

Building information model (BIM)
Information models

Building information model (BIM)

After all steps of designing the facility are completed, the outputs are introduced into a CAD-based system capable of modeling and visualizing every element from the Mechanical Equipment selection and Abstract Building Modeling subsystem. In this environment, not only are 3D models generated, but whole databases are automatically and simultaneously created representing and describing the wastewater facility with pinpoint accuracy.

These databases store all engineering requirements, details, and properties in one central model, enabling Design Generator to introduce a final validation and filtering protocol, eliminating all errors and inconsistencies in the finished design and document outputs, and keeping qualities at the highest levels. All civil documentation, such as Floor plans, Sections, Layouts, Site Plans, Elevations, and Civil Bill of Quantity documents are automatically generated from this central model, while keeping all related annotations and remarks in a template that can be further customized for detailed engineering work as the project progresses.

Drawing generator module
Drawing generator

Drawing generator module

The various output packages of our Process Design Simulation, Equipment Selection, and BIM are communicated directly to Design Generator’s Drawing Generator module. In return, Drawing Generator handles the complete process of drawing generation for all engineering documents, including Process Schemes and Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams.

Depending on the Process Design Simulation and Equipment Selection outputs, these documents are labelled with proper item quantities and equipment specifications, resulting in very precise, accurate P&ID and Process Schemes for that given project. As a final step, all details from these document packages are collected in one database and an Equipment List, Instrument List, Load List (for precise electricity consumption), and Operation Cost estimation document are all generated. With this data the user can easily estimate both the Capital and Operating cost of the facility, allowing the user to make the best decision for a given project.

How to series:  Biological Phosphorus Removal
Webinar

How to series: Biological Phosphorus Removal

We will discuss how design automation tools can efficiently support your design process by allowing you to select between Chem-P and Bio-P designs.

Letti Szilágyi and Adam Tank, two veteran members of our team, will be demoing an easy-to-use platform that will help you streamline your conceptual design processes.

Watch on demand
Articles

Latest articles

Transcend believes each team member brings a unique viewpoint on what we do and how we do it. Read about Transcend through the eyes of some of our team members by clicking the links below.

The Power of Genetic Algorithms in Engineering Optimization

The Power of Genetic Algorithms in Engineering Optimization

The term “AI” often conjures images of self-driving cars, humanoid robots, and buzzwordy conference presentations. However, one of the most…

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Designing Electrical Substations with 500 kV Transmission Lines

Designing Electrical Substations with 500 kV Transmission Lines

Electrical substations and 500 kV transmission lines are critical components in the efficient transportation of electricity over long distances. In…

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Mastering AutoCAD Drawings for Substation Design: Features, Applications, and Future Trends

Mastering AutoCAD Drawings for Substation Design: Features, Applications, and Future Trends

Infrastructure engineering requires precision, especially when it comes to substation design. AutoCAD, a cornerstone in the world of computer-aided design…

Clock 5 months
The Power of Genetic Algorithms in Engineering Optimization

The Power of Genetic Algorithms in Engineering Optimization

The term “AI” often conjures images of self-driving cars, humanoid robots, and buzzwordy conference presentations. However, one of the most…

Clock 4 months
Designing Electrical Substations with 500 kV Transmission Lines

Designing Electrical Substations with 500 kV Transmission Lines

Electrical substations and 500 kV transmission lines are critical components in the efficient transportation of electricity over long distances. In…

Clock 4 months
Mastering AutoCAD Drawings for Substation Design: Features, Applications, and Future Trends

Mastering AutoCAD Drawings for Substation Design: Features, Applications, and Future Trends

Infrastructure engineering requires precision, especially when it comes to substation design. AutoCAD, a cornerstone in the world of computer-aided design…

Clock 5 months

Clients

Technology Providers & OEMs Technology Providers & OEMs

TDG rapidly generates accurate budgetary proposals to help suppliers bid more, win more, and sell more.

Asset Owners and Utilities Asset Owners and Utilities

TDG streamlines the capital planning and conceptual design processes to accelerate project timelines and deliver better outcomes.

EPCs, AECs, and Consultants EPCs, AECs, and Consultants

TDG enables engineering firms to deliver more value to their clients & increase competitiveness.

Individuals Individuals

TDG works for individual engineers who want to grow their business and reduce their non-billable time.

Academic Academic

Transcend supports students and professors around the world to incorporate TDG into their curriculum.

Resources

Articles Articles

Read posts written by Transcend team members sharing their points of view on the company mission, vision, and products.

Webinars Webinars

Register for our upcoming webinars or watch on-demand webinars like Transcend’s popular ‘How To’ Series.

Case studies Case studies

Understand how Transcend’s customers are utilizing TDG to bring more value to their customers and grow their businesses.

FAQ FAQ

View a list of the questions we are most frequently asked about our company and our software

Transcend tools Transcend tools

Access a number of tools Transcend has developed to help engineers and industry professionals take back their time.

Security Security

Learn more about Transcend’s security practices

Industries

Water and Wastewater Water and Wastewater

TDG creates unique, optimized designs of water & wastewater treatment facilities by automatically combining decisions and calculations from each engineering field.

Power Power

TDG creates unique, optimized designs of T&D assets by automatically combining decisions and calculations from each engineering discipline.

Solutions

WWTP Design WWTP Design

TDG generates optimized, unique designs for water and wastewater treatment facilities by automating decisions and calculations across engineering fields.

Substation Design Substation Design

TDG generates optimized, unique designs for T&D assets by automating decisions and calculations across engineering disciplines.

Utility Interconnection Hub Utility Interconnection Hub

For transmission providers and power utilities, simplify the interconnection process by integrating TDG into your website to ensure developers submit fully compliant collector substation designs from the start.

Transcend Proposal Generator Transcend Proposal Generator

Enables technology suppliers and OEMs to generate more proposals, faster, with more detail and less resources, so you can sell more of your technology and/or equipment

White Label Proposal Generator White Label Proposal Generator

Generate qualified leads, elevate your customer experience, and simplify your engineering and channel partner workflows in an intuitive, user-friendly interface integrated into your website.

PFAS Feasibility Study PFAS Feasibility Study

For drinking water utilities, automatically generate accurate CAPEX and OPEX estimates to calculate the cost of upgrading your facility to meet stringent PFAS regulations

Booster Station Design Booster Station Design

Automates and simplify the complex process of designing booster pumping stations

DC Battery Sizing DC Battery Sizing

Get precise battery sizing recommendations in minutes for renewable energy and other critical infrastructure projects