1. Core influencing factors: The degree of automation of equipment (the most crucial variable). The level of automation of equipment directly determines the intensity of labor input, with significant differences: Fully automated models (mainstream MVR low-temperature evaporators): Equipped with PLC control systems, automatic feeding/discharging, online monitoring (liquid level, temperature, vacuum degree), and fault alarm functions, they can achieve 24-hour unattended operation, requiring only one inspector to check parameters, troubleshoot abnormalities, and replenish consumables (such as vacuum pump oil) at regular intervals each day. The monthly salary cost is usually 4,000-8,000 yuan, and the labor operation and maintenance cost is extremely low.

Semi-automatic/manual models (small batch-type equipment): Manual operation is required for feeding, adjusting operating parameters, manual unloading, and cleaning the equipment. Each shift requires 1-2 operators. If it operates continuously for 24 hours, 3-4 personnel are needed on shifts, which directly doubles the labor cost. Additionally, equipment failures are prone to occur due to operational errors, indirectly increasing operation and maintenance expenses.

II. Operation Scale and Mode Processing Capacity Scale: Small and medium-sized facilities (1-30m³/d) are suitable for single equipment, requiring only 1-2 personnel for manual input; large-scale processing (above 50m³/d) adopts modular combinations of multiple units, requiring additional inspection personnel (1 person for every 3-5 units), and a dedicated person responsible for overall system scheduling. Labor costs increase with scale, but the labor cost per unit of water will gradually decrease.

Operation mode: Continuous operation (such as supporting electronic and electroplating assembly lines) requires stable manual input and only routine inspections; intermittent operation (laboratories, food batch processing) requires manual coordination for batch start-stop and material switching, with higher operation frequency. If the batch size is large, additional auxiliary personnel may be required.

III. Water Quality Characteristics and Equipment Wear and Tear The complexity of water quality affects the frequency of equipment failures and maintenance workload, thereby driving up labor costs: Highly corrosive/scale-prone water quality (including chloride ions, strong acids and alkalis, high-salt wastewater): Equipment is prone to issues such as aging seals, pipeline blockages, and material wear, requiring frequent maintenance, replacement of consumables, and an increase in maintenance duration by 30%-50%. Professional maintenance personnel may be required, or the frequency of external maintenance may need to be increased.

Clean water quality (such as pure water, wastewater, and low-impurity materials): fewer equipment failures and longer maintenance cycles (e.g., seals are replaced every 6 months, and filter cartridges are replaced every 2 months). Daily maintenance only requires basic inspections and consumable replenishment, with minimal labor input.

IV. Division of Operation and Maintenance Responsibilities and Service Mode: Independent Operation and Maintenance: Enterprises shall allocate full-time operation and maintenance personnel, who shall bear the costs of personnel salaries, social insurance, and skill training. If complex equipment failures occur (such as compressor damage or vacuum system leaks), it may be necessary to hire external technical personnel, resulting in additional temporary labor expenses.

Outsourced maintenance: Enter into an annual maintenance agreement with a supplier (at a cost of 2%-3% of the equipment purchase price), where the supplier provides regular inspections and on-site fault services. The enterprise only needs to allocate one basic inspection personnel for coordination, which can reduce the labor costs and technical risks associated with independent operation and maintenance. However, it is necessary to determine the scope of services and response time in advance.

V. Auxiliary Influencing Factors: Industry Compliance and Skill Requirements Compliance Requirements: Industries such as hazardous waste, chemical, and pharmaceutical require manual recording of operational data, maintenance of ledgers, and cooperation with environmental protection departments for inspections. In some scenarios, dedicated personnel are required to oversee safety monitoring (such as inspection of explosion-proof equipment), increasing manual workload.

Skill threshold: MVR models and explosion-proof equipment require high skills from operation and maintenance personnel, who must possess electrical and mechanical foundations. The salaries of such professionals are 20%-40% higher than those of ordinary operators. If the existing personnel of the enterprise lack sufficient skills, additional training costs need to be invested, or professionals need to be hired at high salaries.

The core optimization directions for artificial operation and maintenance (O&M) costs revolve around selecting highly automated models, ensuring proper water quality pretreatment (to reduce equipment wear and tear), and reasonably dividing O&M responsibilities (combining in-house and outsourced efforts). In small to medium-sized scenarios, artificial O&M costs typically account for 8%-12% of the total equipment operating costs, which can be reduced to below 5% after optimization.