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Helping the municipal waste and Anaerobic Digestion (AD) industry by providing effective solutions to the problems of optimising and maintaining the performance of digesters has been a key objective for AD operators who inevitably want to achieve higher gas yields, reduce foaming and also eliminate the potential for maintenance problems. Furthermore, in today’s economic climate, it’s important for operators to fully utilise the sustainability benefits of their process plant which means each part of the AD process is under even closer scrutiny.

Since 2003 P&M Pumps, who market the ROTAMIX system have developed the widespread use and confidence of pumped mixing systems. Today, numerous AD operators across the UK are appreciating the benefits of the unique dual zone concept and the company is proud to acknowledge that 2012 was a significant turning point in its development. A fundamental part of this success is down to their ability to design and supply complete bespoke mixing systems. Supplying not just the hardware, but to design, innovate and provide assurances based on experience gained in the field, gives prospective customers the confidence to proceed with projects without fear of losing performance and capacity, which is so often seen following the initial phase of a process plant’s life cycle.

The types of feedstock available to non-municipal AD operators are quite diverse and this calls for a flexible and open approach to equipment selection. This is probably best explained by a phrase often heard when customers operating municipal digesters say “Our sludge is different”.

The company understand this and provide a case-by-case analysis of their customer’s requirements based on specific feedstock characteristics; such as solids content, (biological and non-biological), chemical imbalances likely to cause foaming and the ability to handle both deposition and floating scum simultaneously.

The combination of standard and bespoke pump and nozzle combinations in different materials and configurations are designed to accommodate existing and new build structures of varying volume and aspect ratios. This provides AD plant designers solutions to problems associated with other mixing technologies and this approach usually incorporates the basic ROTAMIX concept of dual zone mixing.

The ability to maintain a healthy, high yield digester can be affected by unstable biological issues that are often complicated by resulting issues, such as the formation of foam. It is likely that excess, valuable gas production has to be curtailed when gas creates a foaming situation and this is often attributed to over mixing and often the only way to prevent this is to ‘de-tune ‘ the digester.

In digesters where the feed material is quite benign, foaming is likely to be more easily controlled. Similarly, where the feed material varies in its ‘volatility’, steps need to be taken to quickly control the damage foam can cause both to process and in some cases, the equipment.

In addition to the well proven ROTAMIX floor mounted nozzle systems other options can also incorporate additional high level nozzles which act as ‘scum layer breakers’ and non-chemical foam suppression. These are appropriately called ‘SCUMBUSTER and FOAMBUSTER’ respectively. Foam busting is achieved by using digestate to spray coarse heavy droplets onto the foam, either continuously, or as required, using either a dedicated chopper pump and nozzle. This can also be achieved by designing the system to accommodate the additional flows and pressures required using the existing ROTAMIX mixing system with the pump operating with a variable speed drive to maintain best efficiency.

This has given AD operators the benefit of being able to apply a virtually universal solution to the problem of how to effectively suppress foam – whatever its cause.

One such pilot scheme required to provide a trial system for evaluation on one of five digesters at Anglian Water, Great Billing sewage treatment works. As this particular digester incorporated 3 roof mounted nozzles it was decided to modify one of these by reducing its length and adding a plume distributor plate, allowing around just over 10% of the recirculation flow to act as the foam buster. It was important for this work to be carried out without the need to empty the digester and with minimum impact on Great Billing’s overall sludge handling capacity. In extreme circumstances during 2012 this digester consumed a one cubic meter capacity IBC of anti foaming every 2 or 3 days. Following the installation of the trial system Anglian Water has calculated that this new arrangement has resulted in savings of approximately £20,000. This equates to a ‘payback’ in relation to their investment in the system, of less than two months. With plans to install similar foam suppression nozzles on the other 4 digesters at Great Billing, it is estimated that under ‘normal operating conditions’, the return on investment will be just six or seven months.

System Mix have completed successful digester mixing projects during 2012 and 2013 to Veolia, Shanks Waste Management, Fernbrook Bio, BioGen, Imtech, Black and Veatch, in addition to many of the larger UK waste water companies. This underlines the level of experience and expertise P&M Pumps have gained and is being put to good use in solving problems not associated with crop based AD applications.

The continuous development and understanding of the digestion process and with sludge rheology, plus a wealth of understanding of solids pumping and mixing, provides AD system operators with the confidence that they can install the ROTAMIX system, without fear of expensive downtime and poor performance.

Furthermore, by providing additional process performance guarantees, backed by CFD analysis (Computerised Fluid Dynamics) it is possible to show that over 95% of working volume is available ensuring that high volatile solids destruction and therefore gas production, is maintained through the life of the digester. It is demonstrates that when a comparison is made between a real time tracer test and a simulation on a working digester there are close similarities. This offers further savings and assurances that the requirement for expensive and sometimes inconclusive testing may not always be required.

Andy Parr  Director

Tel: +44 (0) 1487 830123
Email: andy@pumpmix.co.uk
Website: www.pumpmix.co.uk

Generating energy from a wide range of waste materials by utilising the Anaerobic Digestion (AD) process is well established in the UK to the point where operators are now looking too consolidate their positions and meet the future demands of maintaining and maximising the performance of digesters. Improving efficiencies and reducing costs are the challenges against the backdrop of a tough economic climate, so AD operators need to maximise the sustainability benefits of their plant and equipment which means each part of the AD process is under ever closer scrutiny. However, what constitutes ‘good operation’ for a digester, how can it be measured and what can AD operators do to improve the performance of their digester and be even more competitive?

MINI-DROP MIXING SYSTEM

Cambridgeshire based System Mix Ltd, in conjunction with P&M Pumps have developed the concept of pumped mixing systems within the Vaughan Rotamix dual zone mixing concept (see picture 1) which was introduced in 2003 and incorporates the Vaughan Chopper Pump. Today, numerous AD operators across the UK are appreciating the benefits of their expertise and the company is in an ideal position to provide some answers to the questions posed above.

In simple terms ‘good operation’ can be measured by the quantity of gas produced per volume of feed material, so the calculation would be; the best price for gas produced, multiplied by the volume, less the minimum of material to be processed at the lowest price, equals best profit.

The following list should help operators to focus on the priorities:

• Highest gas production possible.
• plant throughput at its design maximum – or higher.
• Maintained working volume by minimising deposition.
• Stable chemically balanced operation with no foaming problems.
• Low maintenance costs combined with equipment reliability.

System Mix’s experience is that they usually see their customer’s measure of ‘good operation’ is gauged by the quantity of gas being produced. However, running costs should also be taken into account when measuring ‘good operation’. Therefore, it would be beneficial at this point to remind operators of best practice.

For example, after initial system commissioning and following a period of operation, plant operators should evaluate throughput and performance. This should be compared with how the digester performed following commissioning. Markers for this would be temperature profile and volumes being processed which would provide a picture of how much capacity was being lost by solids deposition on the digester floor.

Other important considerations are to evaluate the suitability and efficiency of preconditioning digester feed material, ensuring that the material being fed to the digester is providing optimum digestion performance.

Furthermore, operators need to review the efficiency and reliability of the equipment being used to ensure that the ancillary equipment installed, maintains the best working conditions for the life of the digester. As a result of their extensive experience at numerous sites across the UK, System Mix are well qualified to confirm that utilising the most effective mixing technology is a very significant factor in overall digester performance.

System Mix have completed successful digester mixing projects over the last few years to Veolia, Shanks Waste Management, Fernbrook Bio, BioGen, Imtech, Black and Veatch, in addition to many of the UK’s waste water companies. One recent project is for Thames Water involving System Mix installations at their waste treatment sites at Becton and Crossness in Barking and Dartford. These are important sites where Thames Water has upgraded facilities to enable them to handle the increasing volumes of waste and involve unusual geometry for some of the tanks

The continuous development and understanding of the digestion process and with sludge rheology, plus a wealth of understanding of solids pumping and mixing, provides AD system operators with the confidence that they can install the Rotamix System, without fear of expensive downtime and poor performance.

Furthermore, by providing additional process performance guarantees, backed by CFD analysis (computational fluid dynamics) it is possible to show that over 95% of available working volume can be utilised ensuring that high volatile solids destruction and therefore gas production, is maintained throughout the working life of the digester.

Further information is available from:

Andy Parr Director Sawtry, Huntingdon, UK.

Tel: +44 (0) 1487 830123
Email: andy@pumpmix.co.uk
Website: www.pumpmix.co.uk

THE PROBLEM

Blocked pumps are often the cause of pumping station and sewage treatment works failures resulting in disruption, downtime and in extreme situations the inconvenience and associated health and safety issues in having to ‘lift’ submersible pumps to clear blockages. There are many reasons why pumps become blocked, but at Anglian Water’s pumping station in the Cambridgeshire village of Cambourne it seemed a baby boom creating specifically high volumes of baby wipes and other unflushables occurring in sewage streams, were the suspected cause of the station being regularly out of action. High volumes of wipes, buds, towels and even disposable nappies, collectively known as ‘rag’, were clogging the existing submersible pumps, resulting in them having to be lifted from the sewage streams and unblocked on numerous occasions.

On the basis that prevention-is-better-than-cure the local parish council in Cambourne took the initiative to raise awareness among local residents in the rapidly growing local community about the problems and potential damage caused by uncrushable such as baby wipes. Letters were sent to residents informing them about the issues and their responsibilities for disposal. Local supermarkets also posted signs providing information. However, in response to the challenges posed by the increasing volumes and inevitable occurrence of solids build-up, Anglian Water decided to search for alternative pumps which would have the ability to cope with rag and the higher flows predicted for the Cambourne Pumping Station.

THE SOLUTION

In the summer of 2013 Anglian Water approached Huntingdon based solids pumping specialists P&M PUMPS for a solution to replace the failing existing submersible pumps. As the UK distributor for Vaughan Chopper Pumps, P&M pumps were well placed to provide a solution having previously supplied pumps which had proved effective at other Anglian Water sites.

Following discussions between Anglian Water technicians and P&M Pumps the decision was taken to invest in what were regarded as two new ‘super pumps’. Two Vaughan 30kW/1460rpm SE6W chopper pumps were specified to handle flows up to 400m3/hr at a head of 17.8 metres. A simple and quick retro fit was all that was required utilising all the existing installation hardware and the innovative design of the Vaughan Chopper pump which makes it particularly effective in the most challenging solids pumping applications that cause other solids handling pumps to fail, immediately proved successful.

The seal design on Vaughan submersibles has proven to be reliable and durable assisted by the patented upper cutter design. Stray solids that may be trapped within the mechanical seal chamber are shredded and removed by the impeller pump out vanes turning against the upper cutter. In addition, solids are then chopped by the cupped and sharpened impeller blades turning across the cutter bar, creating a smooth ‘slicing effect’ enabling the conditioned slurry to be easily pumped upstream through the piping system without plugging. Finally, a centred nut with a tooth cuts stringy materials that tend to wrap at the pump inlet and where non-fibrous hard solids are present there is the option for a (removable) dis integrator tool which agitates and breaks up large solids to prevent suction blockage.

BENEFITS

The pumps were installed during the autumn of 2014 and during the early months of their operation, Graham Powell Maintenance Engineer at Anglian Water said, “The pumps are performing very well and we are singing their praises across the business”.

In addition more recently, Andy Spencer has confirmed “At this present time since the two Vaughan Pumps were installed we have yet to return to the site to unblock either of the pumps, where before we may have been on-site at least once a week with two operatives”.

Through their experiences at Anglian Water and numerous other waste water treatment sites across the UK, P&M Pumps have demonstrated that Vaughan Chopper Pumps are an effective solution to the most challenging ‘solids pumping’ situations where other types of chopper, macerating or whole solids passing pumps have traditionally struggled.

most cases, retrofitting a Vaughan Chopper Pump into a problematic area improves the whole process and will be self-financing, with unrivaled payback periods in some cases being a matter of months, thereafter minimising the effect to the budget holders.

Further information on Vaughan Chopper Pumps is available from:

P&M Pumps, Sawtry, Huntingdon, UK

Tel: +44 (0) 1487 830123
Email: andy@pumpmix.co.uk
Website: www.pumpmix.co.uk

Maximising the benefits of renewable energy continues to be the focus for an increasingly diverse range of companies who have invested in the anaerobic digestion (AD) process and a new bio-energy plant at First Milk’s Aspatria creamery in the Lake District is a good example. The creamery in rural Cumbria produces award winning cheddar cheese under the Lake District brand and is Europe’s first dairy processing site to feed bio-methane (up-graded biogas) generated entirely from cheese process residues, to the gas grid.

The on-site AD plant is funded and operated for First Milk by Lake District Biogas, which is a separate set by a Scottish project development company, Renewables Unlimited. They commissioned Clearfleau, one of the UK’s renewable energy market leaders, to design, build and operate this innovative bio-energy plant.

Mixing is an essential part of the AD process and SYSTEM MIX Ltd who market the Rotamix Dual Zone Mixing System, have made an important contribution in supplying mixing equipment to numerous projects undertaken by Clearfleau. Early in 2015 Clearfleau undertook the initial upgrade of an existing anaerobic treatment plant at the Aspatria site, prior to starting the new anaerobic digestion plant. The on-site facility is treating the process residues from the cheese creamery and Clearfleau is also responsible for the operation and maintenance of the new bio-energy plant.

Positive Results

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Now that the system has been operating for around a year the objective of transforming the creamery operation by maximising the production of biogas has been achieved with some impressive results. For example; the system is generating 5.35 Megawatt hours (MWh) of renewable energy of biogas, is treating 1,650m³ per day of process effluent and whey of biogas, producing around 1,000 Nm³ /hour of biogas, revenue for energy generated from FOTs and RHI of biogas and also reducing costs by cutting fossil-based fuel purchase of biogas.

Why the Mixing Process is Important?

As an established supplier of digester mixing systems to Clearfleau and many other private sector food waste AD plants in the UK, System Mix are able to demonstrate that the basis of the success of these plants depends on a durable mixing technology supported by reliable Vaughan Chopper Pumps. Andy Parr, Director of System Mix explains the reasons for the success of System Mix and explains the mixing process in more detail.

“It is crucial to the AD process that suitable pre-conditioning of solids is carried-out prior to digestion and our system has been proven to be one of the most effective in achieving this. The Vaughan pump prevents re-accumulation of fibrous and fatty material in the digester and this means that material continues to pass through the nozzles. This in turn ensures that digestate is adequately conditioned and actually benefits all post-digestion equipment”. He concluded, “As many AD operators now need to maximise the sustainable credentials of their plant and equipment even further, we are confident that the benefits of our mixing systems are becoming even more important as illustrated by the positive results achieved at the First Milk Aspatria Creamery”.

For further information on how SYSTEM MIX can help to maximise the potential of your AD

plant operations contact: Andy Parr, System Mix Ltd, Sawtry, Huntingdon, UK.

Tel: +44 (0) 1487 830123
Email: andy@pumpmix.co.uk
Website: www.pumpmix.co.uk

P&M Pumps Ltd of Sawtry, Cambridgeshire has gained a ‘shop window’ with companies in the utilities sector by joining Achilles UVDB an online community that enables companies to manage supply chain risk and comply with EU regulations. P&M Pumps Ltd, which has 7 staff and provides sole UK distributorship of Vaughan Chopper pumps in the UK and Ireland, will now be able to share on an online platform of its capabilities in key business areas, such as health & safety and compliance.

Achilles UVDB is used by over 1000 buyers from over 40 UK utilities companies to find suitably qualified suppliers. Achilles works to ensure suppliers’ information is accurate via data validation, desktop and physical audits. Several buying organisations also use the community as an approved mechanism for tendering for contracts above and below EU threshold contracts, streamlining the procurement process.

Andy Parr, Director for P&M Pumps said: “We are delighted to have received accreditation to Achilles UVDB following many years of growth in the waste water and renewable energy sector. We look forward to further expansion and see accreditation as a means of providing reassurance to potential customers who are committed to obtain goods and services only from Achilles accredited suppliers.”

Tom Grand, Regional Director for Achilles in the UK and Ireland, said: “By joining the biggest utilities supply chain risk management community in the UK, P&M Pumps Ltd has put itself in the best position to be considered for work with UK utility buyers.”

Further information on Vaughan Chopper Pumps is available from:

P&M Pumps, Sawtry, Huntingdon, UK.

Tel: +44 (0) 1487 830123
Email: andy@pumpmix.co.uk
Website: www.pumpmix.co.uk

PROBLEM:

Many sewage sludge mixing applications use submersible, guide-rail paddle type mounted mixers, usually because they are relatively easy-to-install and remove. However, these systems are vulnerable to failure usually due to rag and debris accumulating on their rotating parts. The result is expensive repair or replacement and in the most severe cases, the build-up of rag becomes so severe that the lifting davits exceed safe working limits. This can lead to possible safety implications whilst process throughput and the associated equipment reliability, can also be seriously affected.

SOLUTION:

P&M Pumps Ltd the UK distributor of VAUGHAN chopper pumps and their mixing technology partner SYSTEM MIX Ltd have established a reputation for developing innovative bespoke design turnkey and retrofit in-tank mixing systems including ROTAMIX, STM (Small Tank Mixing) and STORMTHRUST (storm tank washdown). Their experienced and versatile approach to sludge mixing has resulted in numerous successful installations across the UK which now includes the success of their ‘MINI DROP’ retrofit mixing system.

This option can be installed into a tank without having to empty and clean it and in most cases it utilises existing guide rails and lifting equipment, previously used for unsuitable submersible mixers which failed due to rag accumulation. This type of system provides effective mixing for tanks where a suitable suction connection is available for re-circulation through the guide rail mounted vertical nozzle manifold header.

Good examples of the success of the Mini Drop system are at several Southern Water and Anglian Water sites where the designs were able to utilise the original box section guide rail used by the existing failing submersible mixers.

A simple installation process in the Southern Water system was also aided by using an existing discharge manifold resulting in even more reduced downtime and lower capital costs.

THE BENEFITS:

It is not uncommon for users of submersible mixers where fibrous material causes frequent and expensive breakdowns having to tolerate the situation because of the cost-implications associated with emptying and cleaning sludge tanks.

However, the Mini-Drop system significantly reduces these costs by eliminating the need to empty and clean the tank as it utilises existing guide rail and lifting davit arrangements and in some situations even the existing tank openings can also be utilised. The associated Vaughan Chopper Pump required for the system is competitively priced when compared against the frequent submersible mixer repair costs and can also be supplied on a hire basis if required.

TO SUMMARISE:

The System Mix Mini-Drop system is operating at numerous sites and proving to be a reliable and cost-effective alternative to submersible mixers where capital projects are unlikely to be allocated. The main features and benefits are; utilisation of the powerful and effective external Vaughan Chopper Pump, tank entry is not required to install or remove the system, orientation of the nozzle can be adjusted as required, the pump conditions as it mixes, all submersible parts in 316 stainless steel, quick installation, even into full tanks and full bespoke design service available if required.

Further information on the Mini-Drop System is available from:
Andy Parr, System Mix Ltd, Sawtry, Huntingdon, UK.

Tel: +44 (0) 1487 830123
Email: andy@pumpmix.co.uk
Website: www.pumpmix.co.uk

Maximising the benefits of renewable energy continues to be the focus for all of the UK’s water supply companies in addition to many private sector companies who have invested in the anaerobic digestion (AD) process. Mixing is an essential part of the AD process and SYSTEM MIX Ltd who market the highly effective Rotamix Dual Zone Mixing System, are delighted to be making a significant contribution to the operational success of many of the UK’s on-site AD process systems.

A great example is there is now DUAL ZONE MIXING installed in all of Anglian Water’s STC (Sludge Treatment Centres) which includes both their traditional digesters and also their THP (Thermal Hydrolysis Plant) systems. This is a total of 8 major treatment centres which now handle all of the sludge from around the ‘normal’ Anglian Water waste treatment works and equates to between 8 and 9 tanks per site, all with multiple pumps.

Another System Mix success story is that they can lay claim to mixing all of Southern Water’s anaerobic digesters spanning from Dover across to Southampton.

Why the Mixing Process is Important?

As an established supplier of digester mixing systems to many of the UK’s water companies in addition to many other private sector AD plants, System Mix are able to demonstrate that the basis of the success of these plants depends on a durable mixing technology supported by reliable Vaughan Chopper Pumps. Andy Parr, Director of System Mix explains the reasons for the success of System Mix and explains the mixing process in more detail.

“It is crucial to the AD process that suitable pre-conditioning of solids is carried-out prior to digestion and our system has been proven to be one of the most effective in achieving this.

The Vaughan pump prevents re-accumulation of fibrous and fatty material in the digester and this means that material continues to pass through the nozzles.

This in turn ensures that digestate is adequately conditioned and actually benefits all post-digestion equipment”.

He concluded, “As many AD operators now need to maximise the sustainable credentials of their plant and equipment even further, we are confident that the benefits of our mixing systems are becoming even more important as proven by our successes with Anglian and Southern Water”.

For further information on how SYSTEM MIX can help to maximise the potential of your AD

Plant operations contact: Andy Parr, System Mix Ltd, Sawtry, Huntingdon, UK.

Tel: +44 (0) 1487 830123
Email: andy@pumpmix.co.uk
Website: www.pumpmix.co.uk

Vehicle manufacturing like any major industrial process has its own unique solids pumping challenges. For example, handling the difficult combination of metallic waste, cutting oils and coolants generated by the large CNC machines operating on engine and transmission manufacture. The Ford engine plants at Dagenham and Bridgend in South Wales have to process this type of waste and have benefitted from the powerful performance of VAUGHAN chopper pumps supplied by Vaughan’s UK distributor P&M PUMPS.

The origins of the application began in the late 1990’s when Vaughan Co. supplied an initial trial pump to a Michigan based OEM filter systems manufacturer. The pump was tested to see how it would perform against the conventional method of handling waste material and coolant collected from CNC machines. The design and operational characteristics of the Vaughan pump provided an effective, all-in-one combination of shredder and pump which could handle all the ingredients of the machine waste, affectionately known as ‘pump backs’ in the industry.

After 4 years of validation and ongoing collaboration between Vaughan, the filter systems engineers and Ford Motor Company’s transmission and coolant specialists, Vaughan was chosen as the preferred type of pump for the waste handling applications.

Fast forward to 2015 and Vaughan’s UK distributor P&M Pumps became involved with the supply of 74 bespoke design V3M ‘pump back’ pumping systems for similar waste handling applications at Ford’s UK engine plant sites at Dagenham and Port Talbot.

These pumps were supplied from Detroit and then the packaged system was fabricated and built in the UK by P&M Pumps. They were then shipped to the German CNC manufacturer for eventual delivery and installation at the Ford UK sites. Today, approximately 175 Vaughan pumps are, in the words of Ford Motor Company’s engineers, “performing flawlessly” on the waste handling pump applications associated with their huge CNC machine tool processes.

Through their experiences at numerous UK waste water treatment and manufacturing sites, P&M Pumps are able to demonstrate that Vaughan Chopper Pumps are an extremely effective option on the most challenging solids pumping applications.

Further information on Vaughan Chopper Pumps is available from; Matt Harvey

Tel: +44 (0) 1487 830123
Email: andy@pumpmix.co.uk
Website: www.pumpmix.co.uk

The Problem

Disposable wipes and the problems they cause to the UK’s sewerage systems have been in the mainstream media again. Given the scale of the problem it’s hardly surprising because of the 366,000 sewer blockages occurring in the UK around 80% are caused by the presence of ‘non-flushable’ items. The biggest offender is wet-wipes and despite manufacturers’ assurances that wipes are biodegradable there are still few controls over the manufacture and use of them, or guidelines on how they should be disposed of.

Non-flushable items continue to cause waste water companies immense problems with sewerage systems becoming inundated with laminations of wipes combined with fats and greases. The man hours and costs associated with manually lifting pumps and clearing the blockages are eye-watering. For example in one region alone North West Water, the costs have been estimated at around £10m per year.

The UK’s water companies have the responsibility to invest in the correct equipment to deal with the liquid waste they are paid to transport and process and this includes waste water pumps which can handle large spherical solids. In most cases they do, with single channel, vortex and other designs of pumps. However, disposable wipes are not large spherical solids, at least not until they’ve been given the conditions and opportunity to form them.

Over time wipes laminate with fats and greases which bonds them onto surfaces of lift stations and large diameter sewers resulting in restricted flows, backing-up and eventually blockages in the system. Whilst the ideal solution maybe to ban the manufacture and distribution of disposable wipes and the practice of tipping fat into the waste system, this is unlikely to happen any time soon.

The Solution

Through their experiences with a number of the UK’s water companies in dealing with blocked sewers, Huntingdon based P&M Pumps the UK distributor for Vaughan Chopper Pumps, have succeeded in providing a solution by replacing failing submersible pumps.

For example, at Anglian Water’s pumping station in Cambourne two Vaughan 30kW / 1460rpm SE6W chopper pumps were specified to handle flows up to 400m3/hr at heads of 17.8. A simple and quick retro fit was all that was required utilising all the existing installation hardware and this provided an effective solution to prevent blockages and instances of drains ‘backing-up’.

The innovative design of the Vaughan Chopper pump makes it particularly effective in the most challenging solids pumping applications that cause other solids handling pumps to fail when faced with the challenge of non-flushable items. The seal design on Vaughan submersibles has proven to be reliable and durable assisted by the patented upper cutter design. Stray solids that may be trapped within the mechanical seal chamber are shredded and removed by the impeller pump out vanes turning against the upper cutter.

In addition, solids are then chopped by the cupped and sharpened impeller blades turning across the cutter bar, creating a smooth ‘slicing effect’ enabling the conditioned slurry to be easily pumped upstream through the piping system without plugging./p>

Finally, a centered nut with a tooth cuts stringy materials that tend to wrap at the pump inlet and where non-fibrous hard solids are present there is the option for a (removable) disintegrator tool which agitates and breaks up large solids to prevent suction blockage.

The Benefits

Through their experiences at Anglian Water and numerous other waste water treatment sites in the UK, P&M Pumps have demonstrated that Vaughan Chopper Pumps are an effective solution to the most challenging ‘solids pumping’ situations where other types of chopper, macerating or whole solids passing pumps have struggled.

In most cases, retrofitting a Vaughan Chopper Pump into a problematic area improves the whole process and will be self-financing, with unrivalled payback periods in some cases being a matter of months, thereafter minimising the effect to the budget holders.

More information on Vaughan Chopper Pumps available from:

P&M Pumps, Sawtry, Huntingdon, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1487 830123
Email: andy@pumpmix.co.uk
Website: <ahref=”https://pumpmix.co.uk/” target=”_blank”>www.pumpmix.co.uk

The important benefits of Vaughan Chopper Pumps can now be appreciated on-site as a result of the UK’s distributor P&M Pumps’ investment in a new demonstration trailer which can travel to sites in the UK. Seeing a live demonstration is an ideal way to see the pumps operate without the limitations of YouTube videos or the operational restrictions of an exhibition stand.

The demonstration trailer features a Vaughan HE4K (4 Kw) re-circulating flow pump which is connected to a one meter capacity tank and enables users to test the pumps unique solids handling capabilities. All that is required is connection to a mains power, a water supply and drainage.

Rag, fat, plastic and other solid or fibrous debris will cause blockages, disruption and excessive downtime costs on many waste and effluent streams. Whilst there are many ‘solids handling’ pumps, it is the Vaughan Chopper pump that has been designed and built to perform in the most severe applications. Wet well, dry well, submersible or self-priming, the Vaughan Chopper pump has proven to be the ideal solution to a wide range of challenging and severe duty solids and sewage pumping.

More information on Vaughan Chopper Pumps is available from:

P&M Pumps, Sawtry, Huntingdon, UK.

Tel: +44 (0) 1487 830123
Email: andy@pumpmix.co.uk
Website: www.pumpmix.co.uk