Tag: process
Introduction In the realm of municipal wastewater treatment and industrial slurry handling, the double disc pump has carved out a niche as a robust solution for difficult fluids containing solids, rags, and grit. However, a surprising number of these installations fail prematurely, not due to mechanical inadequacy, but because of improper Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) […]
Introduction In the complex hydraulics of a modern wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), the peristaltic pump—often referred to as a hose pump or tube pump—occupies a critical niche that centrifugal technologies cannot fill. While engineers are intimately familiar with pump curves for water transfer, the specification of positive displacement equipment for abrasive sludge or off-gassing chemicals […]
Introduction One of the costliest errors in municipal wastewater design is the mismatch between pump metallurgy and fluid characteristics. Engineers often default to 316 Stainless Steel for its “universal” corrosion resistance, only to witness premature failure due to abrasive scour in grit-heavy sludge applications. Conversely, specifying standard Grey Cast Iron for septic receiving stations can […]
INTRODUCTION One of the most persistent and costly misconceptions in municipal and industrial water treatment is viewing a wet well merely as a concrete holding tank. In reality, the wet well is a complex hydraulic structure that dictates the reliability of the pumping equipment. A startling number of premature pump failures—often attributed to “defective manufacturing”—are […]
INTRODUCTION The integration of Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) with non-clog wastewater pumps has become the standard for modern municipal lift stations and treatment plants. While VFDs offer significant benefits regarding energy efficiency, flow matching, and reduced mechanical stress during startup, they introduce complex thermal challenges that are often underestimated during the design phase. A critical […]
Introduction The modern wastewater stream has undergone a radical transformation in the last two decades. The proliferation of non-dispersible synthetic fabrics—commonly known as “flushable” wipes—combined with water conservation mandates that reduce transport velocities, has created a perfect storm for municipal and industrial operators. For engineers involved in lift station design and treatment plant operations, the […]
Introduction One of the most insidious threats to the longevity of large-scale pumping systems is the phenomenon of air entrainment caused by intake vortices. For municipal and industrial engineers, the challenge is compounded when geotechnical constraints force the use of deep, circular containment structures. Diaphragm Wet Well Design and Minimum Submergence to Prevent Vortexing is […]
FACILITY BASIC INFORMATION Plant Name: Morris Forman Water Quality Treatment Center (WQTC) Location: 4522 Algonquin Parkway, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky Operating Authority: Louisville and Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) Design Capacity: 120 MGD (Average Daily); 350 MGD (Peak Wet Weather Treatment) Current Average Flow: ~100-105 MGD Population Served: Approx. 770,000 residents (Metro Louisville) Service […]
Introduction Chemical dosing accuracy is the silent guardian of water quality compliance and the hidden driver of operational expenditure. In municipal and industrial treatment plants, the failure to properly understand hydraulic behavior results in millions of dollars lost annually to chemical waste, premature equipment failure, and process instability. A surprising industry statistic suggests that over […]
FACILITY BASIC INFORMATION Plant Name: North Canadian Wastewater Treatment Plant (NCWWTP) Location: 2313 N Eastern Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73111 Operating Authority: Oklahoma City Water Utilities Trust (OCWUT) Design Capacity: 82.0 MGD (Average Daily Flow) Current Average Flow: ~55-60 MGD Peak Flow Capacity: ~160 MGD Service Area: Central Oklahoma City, Nichols Hills, The Village, and […]