Wastewater Pump Station Repair
The Challenge
The H-block of a high-security prison faced significant operational challenges with its existing sewage management system. The facility relied on an above-ground macerator (“muncher”) and progressive cavity pump system to process and remove waste from its sewage pit. This setup proved unreliable when the macerator failed, leading to unprocessed waste entering the progressive cavity pump. The accumulation of un-macerated solids caused the progressive cavity pump to breakdown, resulting in system downtime, potential health hazards and significant maintenance costs.
The Solution
If we installed a like for like replacement, breakdowns would continue, so to address this, we introduced a robust submersible pump station solution using the existing underground pump station.
The core of this solution involved transitioning from an above-ground pumping system to an underground, submersible setup. Two high-performance chopper pumps were installed directly within the existing sewage pit.
A crucial aspect of the solution involved modifying the existing pit’s infrastructure. Recognising that the benched design promoted debris buildup, a custom sloping structure was engineered and integrated into the pit.
This modification ensures that waste and debris are naturally guided towards the chopper pumps, preventing the accumulation of unmanageable solids and promoting a more efficient flow. The chopper pumps are specifically designed to macerate solids effectively before pumping, eliminating the need for a separate above-ground macerator.
The Outcome
The introduction of the submersible pump station with chopper pumps and the redesigned pit structure has yielded significant positive outcomes for the high-security prison:
- Enhanced Reliability: The integrated chopper pumps effectively break down all waste and debris, preventing blockages and eliminating the risk of pump failure due to un-macerated solids.
- Simplified System: The new solution removes the need for the previous two-pump system (macerator and progressive cavity pump), streamlining operations and reducing the number of components susceptible to failure.
- Reduced Maintenance: The sloping pit design and efficient chopper pumps drastically reduce the accumulation of debris, leading to fewer interventions, less manual cleaning, and lower maintenance costs.
- Improved Safety and Hygiene: By ensuring proper waste breakdown and removal, the system mitigates potential health hazards associated with sewage system failures in a high-security environment.
- Long-Term Sustainability: The robust and efficient design provides a sustainable and reliable waste management solution that is better equipped to handle the demands of a high-security correctional facility.
The new system represents a significant upgrade in the prison’s infrastructure, ensuring continuous and trouble-free waste management operations.
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