Simpler pump system installed at chicken processor

Traditional DAF (dissolved air flotation) pumping systems have so many moving parts. The components include an air compressor, pressure vessel, centrifugal pump and, of course, the controller to get all three components to work harmoniously.

There are many disadvantages of such a complicated system. For one, the pressure vessel requires regular certification and records must be kept. The controller needs monitoring. The maintenance time and cost of the many components can be expensive.

Solution

When one of the largest chicken processors in Australia wanted to eliminate these complications and install a set-and-forget system that requires no controls, it approached Hydro Innovations, which has a combined 80 years of experience in the pump industry.

After consultation, an EDUR LBU 404 C120L with 5.5 kW motor was installed. The EDUR multi-phase pump produces consistent fine micro bubbles suitable for the operation of a DAF tank. The EDUR pump has the unique ability to draw atmospheric air into the suction line, shear it, mix it with the water being drawn from the ‘clean’ end of the DAF tank, and saturate the air into the water (by pressurising it).

The EDUR pump eliminates the need for a compressor, control system, conventional pump, air saturation vessel (and ongoing certifications). The pressure vessel can be removed or bypassed, or it can be incorporated into the new system.

Results

Because of the simplicity of the system, operators will see an improvement in energy consumption (because they’re not running compressors) and lower maintenance costs. There is no pressure vessel to continually certify, no compressor to maintain and no more complicated control system to operate. Just set and forget.

With the pump running at 10 m³ per hour and circulating approximately 10% of the inflow to the DAF tank, the plant has been running free of maintenance and interference for over four years.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Nataliia