A better way to prevent pump blockages

Textiles and other unconventional debris can be a tough problem for pumped wastewater systems. Operators can address the problem at source with Sulzer’s Muffin Monster grinder technology.

Wastewater only flows downhill, but there are plenty of situations where it simply isn’t possible to provide a consistent gradient between users and sewage treatment facilities. That’s why satellite pumping stations are a common feature of private and municipal wastewater systems.

Modern pumps are compact, reliable and energy efficient. In the right conditions, they can operate for years with minimal maintenance, but they don’t always get to enjoy those conditions. As populations grow and habits change, wastewater systems are exposed to a rising tide of difficult materials, especially tough fibrous products such as wet wipes and disposable nappies.

Left unchecked, these materials can jam up pumps, reducing flow rates, driving up energy consumption and ultimately bringing operations to a halt. That leads to costly and time-consuming maintenance visits to rectify the situation.

Sulzer’s Rajeev Seth explains: “One of the most effective ways to stop wastewater blockages is with dual shaft grinder technology. Sulzer’s Muffin Monster range offers the best dual shaft grinders available in the market, generating the high torque required to grind difficult and large solids. They can be installed both inline and in-channel upstream of critical entry points in the wastewater network, where they go to work on unconventional waste, tearing plastic and non-plastic debris and crushing solids into small particles that flow freely through the system.”