Do not wait until large solid particles build up and clog your submersible pump. Municipal wastewater or stormwater applications are known for the difficult solids that make it into the wastewater flow system. Such applications pose a lot of difficulties including non-biodegradable waste presence. It is important to note that you are open to the public so you are never sure what you will encounter from diapers, barbie dolls to underwear and other plastic materials. You can avoid downtime by using the following tips to prevent the failure of your pump.
Cut through tough solids using a shredder
Pumps that handle solids are designed for a specific function. When you use the correct pump for your application, you prevent pump failure, downtime and unnecessary maintenance. However, municipal wastewater solids can be difficult to break down. This means that submersible wastewater pumps should be more robust. You should use submersible shredder pumps for these applications. Shredder pumps will reduce the size of solids that pass through your pump. If you have low-horsepower pumps then you will need a heavy-duty top-quality shredder to be able to break down the solids before they go through your pump.
Choose the right size of the pump
When solids pass through your pump into the discharge line, they fall out of suspension. They can lead to pump discharges. You can address this by ensuring that the pump maintains a certain liquid velocity. A minimum velocity of 7ft per second is a good rule of thumb. However, you should first size your pump correctly for these guidelines to be applicable and avoid submersible pump repairs.
Install a check valve
You can also prevent pump failure by using a check valve attached to the discharge of the pump to keep the solids and fluid from re-entering the pump and prevent back-flow. Check valves are cheap, are available in different sizes and types for different applications and work automatically. You should ensure that you specify the right cracking pressure for your application.
Inspect your seal fail circuit
You should install and periodically inspect a seal fail circuit for a simple maintenance solution. These devices are low maintenance and give you an audible and visual warning when the seal of your pump starts to fail. Maintenance time will depend on your specific application. However, we recommend replacing your seals yearly. You should ensure that whenever your seal fails, the circuit light comes on. Remote monitoring in the control panel will save you some time spent pulling your pump to inspect the seal chamber oil.
Use heavy-duty pumps when pumping harsh fluids
If your application is damaging to your submersible pump then you should upgrade your pump to heavy-duty pumps. Such applications that may be damaging to your pumps include high temperatures, saltwater, and a high concentration of chemicals. Choosing pumps that are constructed of both stainless steel and cast iron can handle a wide variety of applications such as applications with corrosion materials. If you are pumping hot fluids then you should invest in pumps with high-temperature protection.
