Pumps for the 21st Century
Feb 04, 2021
The Pump Centre Conference offers a range of sessions headed by experts in their field. Here’s a precis of those talks made available so far, beginning with Smith & Loveless’ Andrew Hornabrook who considers the demands of optimising force main pressure from multiple pump stations.
Industrial end users and water companies are faced with problems installing multiple sewage pump stations on a common force main.
Given the resulting variable pressure that occurs in the force main is dependent on how many pump stations are operating at one time, designers face incorporating solutions that are costly from a capital and operational standpoint.
The problem is that the force main pressure can be low when only one pump station is operating or much higher when multiple pump stations operate at the same time. The pump station must be designed to handle the worst condition – when all the pump stations are operating at the same time, resulting in the highest force main pressure to overcome.
However, if this is the only condition they are designed for, the pump will vastly over pump when fewer pump stations are operating. This can result in pumps running out on the pump curve, exceeding the maximum motor amp draw. Yet, if the additional pressure is not incorporated in the design, the pumps will go to shutoff at the high-pressure condition and wet well overflows can occur.
Without accounting for the variable conditions, reduced service life and a multitude of problems can result. When you operate a pump outside of its normal operating range you run the risk of low and high flow cavitation. These phenomena result in impeller and volute erosion, reduced bearing and seal life, excessive pump noise and vibration.
Solutions include:
- Costly communication systems, tying all the pump stations together, which limit the number of pump stations on line at the same time
- Oversizing the pump and/or pump motor
- Orifice plates or partially closed discharge valves to create artificial head and prevent run-out – resulting in increased energy usage and increased chances for choked piping
- Installation of a flow meter with feedback loop to a VFD to maintain a constant flow rate regardless of head. The flowmeter complicates the operation of the station and requires additional infrastructure.
Process Methodology
Smith & Loveless sought a better solution to provide longer pump life, reduced operation and maintenance time and cost, reduced capital expenditure, all designed to fit within one of its offsite built pump stations. By utilising the S&L QUICKSMART™ PLC pump station controller with colour touchscreen HMI, a variable frequency drive and a force main sensor, the PLC can receive a signal from the sensor indicating changes in the force main due to additional pump stations coming on or going off.
From this information, an algorithm embedded in the PLC calculates the correct frequency for the VFD to adjust the pump speed to maintain a constant flow rate no matter how many stations are on line.
Conclusion
Monitoring the force main and pump speed via a patented algorithm, it becomes easy to add a standalone pump station to a common force main with multiple pump stations already in service.
It eliminates the headaches and costs of adding elaborate communication systems, oversized pumps, installing costly flow meters or greatly increasing the possibility of clogging.
More News and Articles
Mar 02, 2021
News
Increased Water Use in Times of Lockdown
What do changing routines mean for supply security?
Mar 01, 2021
News
Open Data Can Open up Opportunity
An open data approach can help water utilities drive efficiencies across their entire operations, says Matthew Hawkridge, chief technology officer, Ovarro
Feb 26, 2021
News
Download a Free I&I Mitigation Checklist
Are you ready to address the inflow & infiltration entering your collection system, but in need of some guidance? Our new I&I Mitigation Checklist includes steps to take to better understand and combat the costly issue.
Feb 25, 2021
News
Wastewater Compliance Maintained at Locked Down Holiday Park
Wastewater treatment technology selected for use on a holiday park because of its ability to withstand seasonal variations in flow, has proven its flexibility during the unexpected events of 2020. The WPL packaged treatment plant was installed 15 the picturesque …
Feb 24, 2021
News
New Jersey American Water Donates $41,000 to United Way Through Virtual Workplace Campaign
New Jersey American Water announced today that its employees raised over $26,000 for eight United Way chapters through its annual fundraising campaign. The company also provided an additional donation of $15,000, totaling over $41,000 to help individuals and families in …
Feb 23, 2021
News
“Groundbreaking” Project Delivery Method Leads to New Brandenburg Wastewater Treatment Plant
An innovative project delivery approach by the city of Brandenburg in Meade County was the driving force behind a groundbreaking February 5, 2021 for an $8.3 million state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant.
Feb 22, 2021
News
Romania's Pipe Manufacturer TeraPlast Renews ist TEPPFA Membership
TEPPFA, the leading voice of European manufacturers of plastic piping systems welcomes TeraPlast’s decision to renew its membership.
Feb 19, 2021
News
Olea Edge Analytics Expands Partnership with City of Atlanta - Department of Watershed Management
Olea Edge Analytics, an intelligent edge computing platform for the water utility industry, announced an expanded $3.9 million partnership with the City of Atlanta - Department of Watershed Management that is expected to recover millions of dollars in revenue for …
Feb 18, 2021
News
Registration is Open for the 2021 Risk Management in Underground Construction Virtual Course
The 2021 Risk Management in Underground Construction Course will take place virtually on April 13-15. Registration is open and the tentative agenda has been released.
Feb 17, 2021
News
British Water Adds Voice to Diversity Campaign
British Water has become the latest organisation to pledge its support to the Change the Race Ratio campaign to accelerate racial diversity in business.
Feb 16, 2021
News
Anue Water Relocates To Larger Atlanta-Based HQ & Manufacturing Facilities Due To Record Growth
Anue Water Technologies, the manufacturer of cost-effective FORSe and Phantom Oxygen/Ozone injection systems, Enviroprep well-washers, and provider of Anue Geomembrane Covers with embedded carbon-filters and other sustainable and high-performance technologies to prevent odor, corrosion, scale, bacteria, and FOG in municipal …
Feb 15, 2021
News
An Integrated Approach Based on Activated Carbon Removes Trace Substances from Wastewater
Wastewater plants employ a variety of effective and established processes to treat sewage and wastewater. As yet, however, there is no ideal, uniformly recognized method for removing trace substances. Researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology …
Contact
Smith & Loveless Ltd
Andy Hornabrook
Sales & Service
Block B13, Westpark 26
TA21 9AD Chelston, Wellington
United Kingdom
Phone:
+44 7887 656757