Managing a wastewater pump can, at times, be a challenge. The million-dollar question is, “How to keep my wastewater pump free from blockages?” Wastewater pumps deal with different types of effluent. To ensure that your wastewater pumps continue operating efficiently – you need reliable pumps that perform under all conditions. Reliable pumps keep the system running without causing blocks or clogs. Today’s sewage not only contains an increased amount of fibre, but multiple solids are flushed down the drain like wet wipes, tissues, and more. One crucial factor that determines whether a pump remains block-free is free passage. It’s a measure of the largest spherical object that can pass through the impeller without touching any side. Here, in this guide, our experts at Sintech Pumps, leading wastewater pump manufacturer and exporter in India, share with you five tips to prevent blockages from occurring in your wastewater pumps. Preventing blockages helps you improve efficiency and reduce downtime, and enables you to save on the costs of repairs and replacements.
Tip #1: Consider the Design of the Impeller
A good starting point to prevent blockages in wastewater pumps is to consider the impeller design. Check if the impeller design is best suited for your application. Replacing an impeller is not easy. Very often, changing the impeller means you have to replace the entire pump. Hence, make sure to check the impeller type carefully before purchasing the pump in the first place.
Most wastewater pumps have any impeller types like – single vane, multi-vane, or vortex. Of these three impellers, vortex offers the largest free passage, and multi-vane impellers offer the lowest free passage. However, choosing the right pump type involves several other factors to consider beyond the impeller type. You need to consider other factors like pump efficiency, energy usage, and more. Vortex impellers are the least inefficient and require more energy, while multi-vane impellers are the most efficient, but have low free passage.
If you need help choosing the right wastewater pumps for your specific requirements, get in touch with our friendly pump experts at Sintech. Our sales team analyse your requirements to find the right pump for your industrial needs.
Tip #2: Remove Floating Solids in the Pumping Pits
Generally, most wastewater applications have two or more submersible pumps at the bottom of the pit. When the pit fills to a specific height, the submersible pumps start their action. It sucks wastewater out, thereby bringing the water level back to the original level. Note that the submersible pump has to be surrounded by water for efficient operation.
When there are floating solids, instead of being sucked away, they just bob up and down as the pump operates. Slowly, they form a thick mass that sinks down and gets sucked into the pump, leading to a blockage. Besides blocking the pump’s arteries, solid particles can also tangle float switches. To prevent this issue, you can limit the number of solids in the pit. Alternatively, you can also use a vacuum tanker lorry to pump out the pump station remnants periodically.
Tip #3: Switch the Duty Pump Periodically
To increase the life of your wastewater pump systems, you must switch the duty pump periodically. When two or more pumps work together, make each pump the duty pump. Don’t just use a single pump as the duty pump. This not only helps in preventing blockages but also prevents the congealing of solid wastes. When a pump is not used for a long time, solids accumulate around it. These solids are likely to get sucked into the pump when switched on after a long time, leading to a blockage.
Tip #4: Service Wastewater Pumps Periodically
Finally, ensure that you have a regular servicing schedule for your wastewater pumps. During service, ensure that the technician removes the pump parts and cleans the impeller to remove anything accumulated. Remember that regular servicing keeps your pumps functioning efficiently for years to come without any frequent repairs or replacements.
Hopefully, this article provides you with a starting point to keep your wastewater pumps operating efficiently. If you know of any other ways to prevent blockages in your wastewater pumps, share your tips with us to benefit other readers.