Strain Press Sludge Feed Pump Delivers Full Uptime
Project Overview
Sludge treatment facility gets a pump upgrade
This sludge treatment facility accepts a wide variety of sludge waste, ranging from 3% to 12% DM. Performance degraded rapidly with high-viscosity media, so they sought a better-suited pump.
Challenge
The feed pump on a strain press isn’t just conveying material into the system; it’s an essential component of it. Dewatering efficiency relies on a steady feed rate, regardless of viscosity and specific gravity. The incumbent pump, a centrifugal type, often stalled when dry solids exceeded 7%. Furthermore, the abrasive sludge caused high wear on the pump’s internals. Downtime to replace wear parts, and clear rag and solids blockages, resulted in wasted resources and suppressed throughput. Pressure and flow need to remain consistent across the viscosity range, otherwise the strain press itself suffers. Repeated failures of the press were then allowing rag and grit to bypass into the main plant, causing downstream wear and failure.
Solution
Atlantic Pumps proposed a peristaltic positive-displacement pump capable of passing rag and solids up to 100mm. Strain presses operate best when the flow rate is consistent and continuous – frequent stops and low flows reduce efficiency. This powerful, industrial peristaltic pump was geared to run at a low 26rpm to deliver a steady flow regardless of solids content.
Results
Following a succesful 12-month trial, this Water Company installed the pump permently.
The new pump proved better suited than the legacy one:
- Dewatering efficiency increased – less on/off cycling.
- Zero unplanned downtime to date.
- Low energy use.The pump only draws the power needed, and the low wear rate results in long-term energy efficiency.
- Minimal rag passing through into the works.
- Reduced maintenance and downtime on both the pump and the strain press.
- Self-priming (strong suction lift).
- Self-clearing of blockages.
- The pump system is inherently safe from cavitation or dry-run damage.
- Passes all the grit, rag, and solids coming in.
- Valve-free back-flow protection.
