Countdown to Christmas!
Get Ready With Atlantic Pumps!
Join us every weekday in December for a wealth of pump tips, articles, prizes and more! Don't forget, should you have a pump emergency over the holiday season, please contact us via WhatsApp on 07537 149 180.
Thursday 19th December
Important reading: When it comes to pumps, what should you do AFTER freezing weather?
It is important to always carry out the following checks on your pumps following freezing weather:
1. Undertake a visual check of your pump and casing. Make sure there are no cracks visible.
2. Spin your pump manually before turning it on to ensure that there is no ice inside.
3. Carry out a visual check of your pipework and look for any splits.
4. If you have a diesel pump check the antifreeze, coolant and oil before starting.
5. Once your pumps are running, check your casing and pipework again for splits and cracks.
Don’t forget that we have an expert and willing team at Atlantic Pumps on hand to help you. For free pump advice call 0800 118 2500 or contact us via our enquiry form.
Tuesday 17th December
What should you do if you have a pump emergency over the festive period?
Atlantic Pumps will be closing for the Christmas break on Tuesday 24th December at 12pm and reopening on Thursday 2nd January 2025 at 7am.
Should you be operating over this period and have a pump breakdown or experience flooding issues, in the first instance please contact the team via WhatsApp on 07537 149 180.
Urgent emails should be sent to emergencies@atlantic-pumps.com - our email and phone lines will be manned throughout the Christmas and New Year's break.
Monday 16th December
More Great Winter Pump Tips from Atlantic Pumps!
Today we feature the our final five of fifteen tips to help you minimise your pumps freezing this winter.
Hopefully, these tips will help you have a trouble-free winter. Don’t forget, Atlantic Pumps carry stocks of spare parts, Gromatex piping, heated jackets and can deliver built-up pumps fast. Keep our numbers to hand (WhatsApp 07537 149 180 or phone 0808 196 4597) should you need any help or advice.
1. Consider lowering submersible pumps into deeper (relatively warmer) water.
2. Check pump and pipes for splits and cracks before, and soon after restarting pumps.
3. Conversely, if pumps are to be left running during freezing periods, think about how you will monitor them. To prevent pump damage, they need to be turned off should ice build-up threaten to restrict inflow or pump rotation.
4. If pumps are to be used during or soon after freezing weather, be sure that they are free of ice and turning freely before starting. This may need isolating at the power source to over-ride float switches or other auto-starts.
5. If the water destination/use permits, add a suitable anti-freeze to the water just prior to turning the pump off. Mono Propylene Glycol / MPG is considered a non-toxic de-icer but check with the supplier that the grade is suitable for your application (pH stable, non-corrosive, food-grade depending on your situation). Glycerine mixed with water also makes a good anti-freeze (even though pure glycerine ‘freezes’ at 17 degrees!)
To view the full list of 15 tips to help you minimise your pumps freezing this winter, see here
Friday 13th December
When is Hiring a Pump Better Than Buying One?
Atlantic Pumps routinely hire and sell industrial pumps, specialising in challenging slurries such as those that have abrasive, aggressive, extreme pH, or high viscosity properties.
When it comes to hire or buy, we’ve learnt there are many reasons why companies might opt for one route over the other.
Some pump types lend themselves well to short-term hire, with easy transportation and installation whereas others need more onsite work to integrate into a system, so might be better for long-term hire or purchase.
A one-off emergency might make hiring pumps the obvious solution; in different situations, the decision might be more nuanced.
To read this article in full, please see here.
Thursday 12th December
Celebrating Our Partnership with Kronoa!
As 2024 comes to a close, we’re reflecting on a key milestone this year – our strategic alliance with Kronoa S.L.
Announced during the summer, the collaboration strengthens the supply of progressive cavity pumps and grinders across a variety of industries, including quarries, biogas, water and recycling.
In the following video, Nathan Rowles, Atlantic’s Sales & Marketing Director joins Domingo Serrano Keinarth and Geordie Hernandez Finglas of Kronoa, to discuss the partnership and its benefits.
To explore how Toro progressive cavity pumps can enhance your site, call us on 0800 118 2500 or complete our enquiry form.
Download the latest Toro T Line Pump brochure, powered by Kronoa, here.
Wednesday 11th December
Have you considered heated insulation jackets for your pumps?
An excellent way to protect your sites’ pumps and pipework during the cold winter months is to fit them with heated jackets.
Heated jackets for pumps are a great solution to protect equipment from freezing temperatures during the winter months. These jackets provide insulation and incorporate heating elements to maintain the pump and its components at a stable temperature, ensuring optimal performance and preventing damage from cold weather.
✔️ An affordable and simple solution
✔️ Easily applied, removed and re-used as required by the user.
✔️ IP66 Rated (electrical equipment). IP67 and IP68 also available.
✔️ Thermostatic control
✔️ 110v System
✔️ Manufactured in the UK
For further information or to order heated jackets for your sites’ pumps and pipes, please call our Sales team on 0800 118 2500 or contact us via our online form.
Tuesday 10th December
More great tips to help you minimise the risk of your pumps freezing this winter
Freezing water can be incredibly powerful as it expands, putting undue pressure on the inside of pumps, pipes and valves which can easily crack or deform. Ice forming around impellers can cause pump seizure and motor overload, or pump vibration. And an inoperable dewatering pump when the thaw comes is snow joke!
1. If your pumps are inside an enclosure or room, install a heater with a frost protection thermostat setting. Please bear in mind however that this is costly in terms of energy usage.
2. For air powered pumps, ensure the air exhaust pipe discharges into a warmer environment.
3. For diesel pumps, check the oil level and consider changing it to a winter-temperature weight grade such as SAE10 (check recommendations in your pump’s user manual). Check the antifreeze and coolant too.
4. Keeping water moving slows its freezing, so if the pump can’t be drained during a prolonged or very cold snap, keep it going by recirculating the water if necessary.
5. Avoid water splashing onto surroundings, which is likely to build up ice quickly on cold surfaces.
Friday 6th December 24
Introducing our most watched YouTube video!
‘How a Slurry Pump Works’, produced by Diego Pabon is a great animated short that shows the inner workings of a slurry pump. For further videos, please visit our YouTube channel and subscribe – we’ve a wealth of informative videos plus great new content coming over the next 12 months and beyond!
Thursday 5th December 24
How to prepare your site pumps for an uninterrupted site shutdown this festive season
With the Christmas holiday period fast approaching, many site managers are working hard right now to get the plant ready for reduced staffing levels – or even a complete shutdown.
The last thing you want late on Christmas Eve is an emergency callout to deal with flooding, so let’s work with you to minimise the risk of pump problems disturbing the season. Nor do you want to return to site after the holidays to find pumps have frozen solid.
Process pumps can be a concern if they support a critical process, however it is the need for dewatering pumps that can be difficult to assess as the weather can be so unpredictable and severe at this time of year.
Every site and every application are unique, so use your own company specific procedures. That said, here’s a handy checklist that can help you think about some of the issues ahead of time:
- Pump condition. Check each pump is running well and there are no leaks, strange noises or hot spots. Temperature and vibration monitoring can help see patterns and problems arising.
- Check all valves and diverters are working correctly.
- Check intakes and filters for damage and blockage.
- Walk the pipelines inspecting for damage or leaks.
- Check and top up oil levels if needed.
- Power supply and fuel: what would happen in the event of a power cut? Is fuel safely stored and sufficient?
- Check weather forecasts for any heavy rainfall and freezing temperatures expected.
- Consider insulation or heated pump jackets, especially for pumps that have idle periods, as stationery water freezes faster than flowing or turbulent fluid.
- If the pump has a drain-plug and is likely to be unused for a time, then emptying the pump of water is recommended. This reduces the incident risk of freeze expansion and cracked pump casings.
- Check emergency contacts and procedures are up to date.
- For critical process pumps and where the risk level from a failure is high, a duty standby pump is often in place. Ideally these should alternate between duty and standby to optimise the lifespan and wear-rate of each pump.
- Automation and remote control: There are a number of options for automating switch-valves, pumps etc and for issuing alerts should a pump fail to maintain its’ flow. Software and hardware such as Senteos and EnviroHub’s CM02 control module give site managers the ability to see and respond to critical data from anywhere, at any time.
- Save Atlantic Pumps’ emergency contact number to your WhatsApp – 07537 149 180.
We hope this list has helped you prepare for putting your feet up and enjoying some peace (or wild celebrations).
Wednesday 4th December 24
Essential Reading If Your Site Uses Submersible Pumps!
In today’s Countdown to Christmas post we feature an at-a-glance look at the causes of submersible pump failure. Spotting and responding to these issues can not only help prevent you getting caught out with a failed pump on a cold, dark night but also help you avoid expensive downtime.
Symptom
Motor runs, excessive noise (sounds like pebbles are being pumped_
Possible Reason
Insufficient or restricted supply of fluid to the pump inlet, causing intake cavitation.
Symptom
Motor runs, loud noise from the water discharge end.
Possible Reasons
Excess friction or blockage in the discharge piping.
The flow rate/head ratio is outside the pump's capability.
Symptom
Motor runs, little to no water discharge despite adequate supply.
Possible Reasons
Incorrect wiring, causing the motor to run in reverse.
Pump or its strainer has become blocked with solids/sand sludge.
Valves are closed/restricted.
Symptom
Pump motor starts, then stops.
Possible Reasons
Check voltage and frequency supply matches the electric motor.
If a Soft-Start system is used, have it checked.
Check for damaged wiring.
Check pump for blockage.
For further reading, please visit our dedicated page
Don’t forget that our Technical team are on hand to offer free advice weekdays from 7am till 4.30pm; just call 0800 118 2500 or contact us via our enquiry form.
Tuesday 3rd December 24
Join Us As We Support Cystic Fibrosis Trust
Rather than producing a 2025 calendar or sending cards this year, we will be making a financial contribution to our nominated charity CF.
Now in its 60th year, Cystic Fibrosis Trust is the UK's leading charity supporting people with cystic fibrosis.
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic condition which causes sticky mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive system. It affects more than 10,800 people in the UK. One in 25 of us carries the faulty gene that causes it, usually without knowing. Find out more here.
We’d be delighted if you could join us in supporting this incredible cause. You can contribute via our JustGiving page, where every donation helps make a difference.
Monday 2nd December 24
What to Do to Minimise Your Pumps Freezing This Winter
How you approach winterising your pumps depends on the frequency and purpose of their use.
However, inaction is likely to lead to problems at one point or another.
In the first post of our Countdown to Christmas, and with the weather turning colder, we look at 5top tips to help minimise your pumps freezing this winter.
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If the pumps will be off for a time, empty all pipelines of water if possible. Leave valves open to
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prevent them from freezing shut and to allow maximum air movement and drainage.
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If your pump is fitted with a drain plug, use this to empty out water from the chamber.
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Insulate your pumps and pipelines; wrap them in lagging or insulation.
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If possible, situate the pumps inside an enclosure or pump room.
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Fit your pumps with a heated jacket. Custom-made jackets are available from Atlantic Pumps, phone 0800 118 2500 for details.
Look out for further great tips on this page during December!
