Solids-handling pumps stop clogging

Problem
Wastewater from a nearby casino brings sheets, rubber gloves, shirts and mop heads to the two lift stations at Gila River Indian Reservation in Sacaton, Ariz. Unclogging the solids-handling pumps was an almost daily routine at one station and a weekly event at the other.

Solution
Operators installed a 4-inch Barnes 4SH solids-handling pump with 7.5 hp motor from Crane Pumps and Systems in the first lift station. The pump handles 3-inch solids and stringy solids. Its epoxy-coated paint protects against external corrosion, while the plug-and-play cord allows for simplified routine maintenance.

Result
The clogging stopped. The next year, operators installed an identical pump in the second lift station. 937/778-8947; www.cranepumps.com.

Chopper pump solves blockage

Problem
Wet wipes, rags, and increased sewer abuse blocked pumps at the East Hyde Sewage Treatment Works near Luton, U.K.

Solution
Thames Water operators installed a 6-inch MPTK-I 150 series chopper pump (30 kW, 1,500 rpm) from Landia. Designed to handle wastewater and sludge with coarse solids, the pump can be mounted horizontally or vertically. Guide traces in the casing prevent dry particles from catching in the pump.

Result
The installation was successful; Thames Water purchased two more identical units. 919/466 0603; www.landiainc.com.

Rotary lobe pump solves cavity pump clogging issues

Problem
The City of Manchester, N.H., Wastewater Treatment Plant utilizes an activated sludge process for treatment, and a fluidized bed incineration system for sludge disposal. To fuel the system, the plant used a progressive cavity pump to feed a mixture of sludge, grease, scum and occasionally oil, to the incinerator. Every spring an excessive amount of bark mulch ended up in the plant scum, causing the cavity pumps to clog. They tried in-line grinding and hose pumps, to no avail. According to the operators, it had been an issue since the incinerator went online in 1994.

Solution
The plant installed a trial Boerger PL200 oversized, side-mount pump with a large square inlet port so it could drop directly into the lobes without any restriction.

Result
The pump successfully fed scum to the incinerator at 2 rpm. After seeing this success, the Manchester plant purchased one to install permanently. 612/435-7300; www.boerger.com.