Plant uses high-speed turbo blower to increase efficiency

Problem: The Haliotis Wastewater Treatment Complex in Nice, France, treats most of its wastewater in aeration tanks, where carbon degradation occurs through air injection using three-geared, single-stage centrifugal blowers. Personnel from Degrémont, the plant operator, sought a more efficient solution.

Solution: Operators tested the APG-Neuros high-speed turbo blower for four months starting in October 2012. The NX350-C080, rated at 2.5 million gph, has a programmable logic controller with HMI touch screen to monitor several operating parameters, such as airflow, discharge pressure and energy consumption.

Result: The blower demonstrated 22 percent power consumption savings. A third-party inspection of the electrical systems showed good condition of the electrical components after one year of operation. Degrémont purchased the turbo blower, which also offers a smaller footprint, lower vibration and a lower acoustic profile. 866/592-9482; www.apg-neuros.com.

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Efficient motors drive horizontal booster pumps

Problem: A 65 mgd water plant in the southeastern United States treats drinking water for a metropolitan area of more than 300,000 people. The original plant was built in the late 1800s; it was expanded several times but still used motors installed in the 1950s to drive the horizontal booster pumps. Plant operators sought a more efficient solution.

Solution: Operators installed two Baldor Reliance 600 hp and 900 hp, open drip-proof premium efficient motors. With im-provement in motor design and technology, the new motors required a smaller footprint. To facilitate a less costly retrofit, the facility team and Baldor engineers designed a custom motor base that minimized modifications to the pump installation.

Result: The water plant is now more energy efficient with an estimated savings of $23,300 annually. 800/828-4920; www.baldor.com.

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Submersible pump solves receiving station blockages

Problem: The grinder pump at the wastewater treatment plant in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, could not handle the various incoming liquid waste streams at a high-strength waste receiving station. Recurring blockages of the pump and piping required excessive maintenance.

Solution: The city installed a PL 200 submersible pump from Boerger. The pump conveys highly viscous and abrasive media while avoiding maintenance issues or blockages.

Result: Since installation of the submersible pump, the plant has seen the cost of downtime and maintenance decrease significantly. 612/435-7300; www.boerger.com.

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Plant upgrades piston pump to answer population growth

Problem: The 11 mgd Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, wastewater treatment facility has undergone a series of upgrades and modifications to accommodate growth. More than 66 tons of Class B biosolids is pumped each day from the dewatering operation to trucks for transport and eventual composting. Plant officials needed to deal with a rising volume of biosolids.

Solution: About a decade ago, Kelowna replaced a progressive cavity pump with a Schwing Bioset KSP 17V(K) piston pump. The utility stayed with the proven piston pump technology from the same manufacturer. The original Schwing Bioset pump now provides backup for the new pump.

Result: Kelowna now can steadily and effectively pump dewatered biosolids (17 to 21 percent solids) about 250 feet to the truck loading facility. This enables moving three trailers each carrying 22 tons per day to the compost site. 715/247-3433; www.schwingbioset.com.

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Shredder pumps help combat clogging issue

Problem: On Oct. 28, 2012, Hurricane Sandy swept over Ellis Island in New York, causing significant infrastructure damage. Due to repeated pump failure and continuous clogging problems, the antiquated sewage system needed updating right away. Facing a grand reopening on July 4, 2013, the island’s maintenance engineers needed a quick yet permanent solution.

Solution: In April 2013, a pair of 900-pound SK Series shredder pumps from BJM Pumps were added to the revamped system. The pumps can handle 845 gpm at heads up to 94 feet, and shred solids before passing the liquid. The pumps leave solids slightly larger than if they were passed through a grinder pump. The shredding action is produced by a Fang non-clog cutting impeller with tungsten carbide vane tips against a high-chrome tooth-shaped diffuser plate. Each pump has a 304 stainless steel motor housing, double mechanical seals (lower seal, silicon carbide/silicon carbide and upper seal, carbon/ceramic), an added lip seal above the impeller, winding protection, and NEMA Class F motor insulation with motor overload protection.

Result: Since installation, the pumps have performed without fail, resulting in cost savings from reduced maintenance. 877/256-7867; www.bjmpumps.com.

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City selects packaged pump system for emergency lift station upgrade

Problem: The traditional suction lift station located on Highway 77 is one of Southside, Alabama’s main lift stations and has been in service since 1991. The station had experienced several problems over the last few years including multiple failures due to the age and strain on the system. The high costs for repairs and encroaching seasonal inclement weather meant a quick turnaround was needed.

Solution: CDG Engineers & Associates worked with The Eshelman Company to select and install an EBARA EP1 duplex packaged pump system to replace the existing self-priming system that failed. Two 30 hp submersible model DLKFU pumps each rated to deliver 150 gpm at 145 feet tdh were specified as part of the system to accommodate the current conditions and allow for the anticipated expansion the system faces. The old station was removed and the 20-feet-deep wet well cleaned and epoxy coated prior to installation. 

Result: Once the packaged station arrived on site, it was installed and online at the end of the second day. “The package station concept incorporates all the necessary equipment in one factory-built unit,” says Ed Moore, vice president, The Eshelman Company. “We feel confident the EBARA packaged system is going to be a cost-effective solution for any city looking to put in a replacement, or new, lift station.” 803/327-5005; www.pumpsebara.com.

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Valve provides safety relief for 15.5-billion-gallon reservoir

Problem: A large Florida wholesale water supplier built a regional reservoir to bridge the gap between rainy seasons and ensure a continuous source of drinking water for 2.4 million people. Part of the design was a 30-foot-square, 80-foot-tall reinforced concrete tower to fill and drain the reservoir. A reliable valve was needed to act as a safety relief if the reservoir was filled with the tower slide gate valves closed.

Solution: After assessment of the hydrologic and hydraulic impact, the Waterflex Check Valve from Red Valve Co./Tideflex Technologies was chosen. An 84-inch stainless steel check valve and factory-furnished, epoxy-coated carbon steel mounting plate were installed at the lower elevation of the concrete tower as the safety relief.

Result: In 2014, the entire reservoir was renovated. The work included removing the 6,000-pound check valve, and inspecting and refurbishing the carbon steel mounting thimble. It was then mounted back onto the tower and continues to operate effectively. 412/279-0044; www.tideflex.com.