Do you have the most efficient wastewater pump?

In selecting the most efficient wastewater pump, do managers of assets just look for the pump with the best hydraulic efficiency? If so, they may not be winning the pump efficiency game, according to Hydro Innovations.

If selecting a clean water pump, energy costs amount to up to 80–90% of a pump’s overall life cycle cost. For a wastewater pump, energy costs may only equate to 25–35% of a pump’s whole of life cost, with blockages, downtime, ease (or otherwise) of maintenance, reliability and cost of repairs being the biggest cost.

A pump can be very hydraulically efficient, but if it is not an efficient solids handler, all the costs will be in maintenance and upkeep of the pump. Factors such as blocking frequency, unblocking efficiency and ease of access should be taken into account. Also, if the internal clearances of a pump are easily adjusted, that pump will maintain its hydraulic efficiency and also block less frequently than a pump whose clearances have ‘opened up’ because of the abrasive action of wastewater.

Downtime is another hidden cost of a poorly selected wastewater pump. Some unreliable pumps can cause frequent overflows and production line stoppages and, if they are difficult or time-consuming to repair, make the problem worse. A pump that is a good at passing solids — including stringy materials such as rags and gloves — will be more reliable. And if it can be put back into service quickly after a breakdown, it will be an asset worth having.

A white paper on selecting the right wastewater pump has been written by Hydro Innovations. For a copy of the white paper, visit the company’s website.