Modern Pumping Today December 2024 - 25

Energy Efficiency
Maintaining operational efficiency
is crucial because pump stations
consume a significant amount of
electricity. Ensuring they continually
operate at peak performance is
therefore not only an environmental
necessity but also a financial one.
Prior to installation, optimizing
pump performance begins with
pump selection based on the pump
station's flow and head conditions.
Pump manufacturers publish pump
curves demonstrating the range of
pump efficiencies that a particular
pump model will achieve, assuming
proper care. Selecting a pump that
optimizes the pump's efficiency-and
ultimately the pump station's wireto-water
efficiency-translates into
lower power consumption and lower
utility costs.
Of course, it follows that
pumps with more robust internal
construction generally feature higher
pumping efficiencies. Yet, dry-pit
solids-handling wastewater pumps
tend to be more efficient than typical
wet-pit or submersible pumps. The
latter's design must account for
full submergence in the sewage
to prevent seepage into the motor,
which can lead to pump failure. As a
result, submersibles tend to be less
efficient compared to dry-pit pumps.
Operator Safety
Ensuring the reliability and
performance of pump station
operations necessitates regular
maintenance, underscoring
the critical need for pump
operators to conduct these tasks
in a safe and efficient manner.
Conventional submersible lift
station designs present significant
safety hazards, complicating
maintenance procedures.
Confined Spaces
Lift stations that require access to
the wet wells and any associated
valve vaults will often be classified
as confined spaces by municipal
utilities and industrial end-users
per OSHA guidelines. These subsurface
spaces pose significant
safety challenges because operators
must enter these spaces to perform
routine maintenance or emergency
repairs. Operators are exposed to
risks like toxic gasses and contact
with sewage. Ensuring safety
requires strict and costly protocols
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Modern Pumping Today December 2024

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