Sewage pump handles clogging solids

Problem

Vacuum trucks discharged septage to a clarifier scum pit at a New Jersey wastewater treatment plant, but the pump in the pit clogged daily and had to be pulled for service. The problem continued even after operators installed a basket to trap larger solids.

Solution

The plant agreed to test the XFP 100E-CB1 submersible sewage pump with Contrablock Plus impeller from ABS/Sulzer Pump Solutions, for 60 days and then run a comparison test using a chopper pump.

At the end of the test period, the pump had not clogged. The customer bought it and cancelled the comparison test. The pump has remained clog-free. 203/238-2700; www.sulzer.com.

Pump with adapter relay resolves pump station issues

Problem

Seal failures on the 6-inch discharge pumps at the Wise Street Pump Station in Bradford, Ohio, frustrated primary operator Jay Roberts. Replacing the proprietary seals cost nearly $3,000 per pump and took weeks, straining the maintenance budget. Roberts needed a pump that would warn of impending seal problems and be faster and less expensive to repair, while maintaining high clog resistance.

Solution

The village purchased a 4SHMD pump from Crane Pumps & Systems with 25 hp motor from Barnes. A 4- by 6-inch slide rail adapter fit the station's 6-inch base elbow, and a MiniCAS adapter relay connected to the control panel and warned of impending seal issues with an alarm connection to the SCADA system.

The station has been free of seal failures since the installation. Roberts plans to purchase another 4SHMD pump to replace a different failing unit. 937/778-8947; www.cranepumps.com.

Aerators eliminate odors

Problem

Waste streams traveling several miles from food processing plants to the Juelsminde (Denmark) Wastewater Treatment Plant arrived with serious odors.

Solution

Operators selected four AirJet aerators from Landia. They draw liquid into a chopper pump, also from Landia, that reduces solids to pieces.

The aerators eliminated the odors. "They're very efficient and reliable," says operations manager Ulrik Folkmann. 919/466-0603; www.landiainc.com.