Cutter clears clogs

Keeping settling ponds in optimum condition without taking the sewage plant offline represents real cost savings. Dredging Solutions from Sydney NSW are now able to offer this option due to an innovative application of a Tsurumi submersible cutter pump.

While dredging ponds for Sydney Water, the company was faced with pump chokes caused by accumulated rags.

Normal submersible pumps cannot cope when oversized, fibrous materials get flushed into the system. Dredging Solutions turned to Aussie Pumps for a suitable cutter pump to solve the ragging problem.

Tsurumi, the world’s leader in submersible pump development, has produced a range of cutter pumps, called the C Series, designed to handle such contaminated waste.

The C series cutter pumps chop waste material, including rags, thus allowing free passage through the pump without clogging.

“Tsurumi’s breakthrough cutter impeller chops through sewage, rawhide, plastic, rags and other materials in seconds,” said Aussie Pumps Product Manager Neil Bennett.

“We’ve seen various unmentionables handled by these extraordinary pumps, so they were an obvious choice for Dredging Solutions’ ragging issue,” he said.

The C Series incorporates a large open channel impeller with a cutter mechanism. A sintered tungsten carbide alloy tip is brazed on the impeller vane.

As the impeller rotates, the vane slices against the serrated edge of the suction cover, chopping fibrous matter into small fragments that won’t clog.

The three phase, heavy duty pumps range from 50mm bore to 100mm. The largest pump in the range has an enormous capacity of 2,750 litres per minute, and a max head of 26 metres.

“There is a terrific video on YouTube that shows the pump’s cutting ability. It’s amazing to watch what these unique cutters will do. You’ll never believe it until you see it,” said Bennett.

“The demo even shows the pump swallowing nylon rope,” he said.

Dredging Solutions’ pontoon in action, clearing ponds without the need to take the sewage plant offline.

Like all Tsurumi submersible pumps, the C Series include features that extend the life and enhance reliability of the pump.

Significant design details make a big difference. They include an anti­wicking cable entry that prevents water from entering the motor if the power lead is damaged or the end of the cable is accidentally submerged.

A double silicon carbide seal is standard on all models. Both seal surfaces are submerged in an oil chamber, away from the pumped liquid.

This ensures lubrication and protects ingress of foreign materials.

The oil bath features a patented “Oil Lifter” that increases mech seal longevity. The lifter ensures both the upper and lower seals are lubricated and cooled, even if the oil level in the chamber is low.

“We have created a bit of a buzz within Sydney Water with how well the new system is dealing with the rags on site. They have a lot of the ponds to dredge at one time or another, that are heavily ragged up and we now have a solution to deal with it,” said Cameron Lorimer from Dredging Solutions.

“The cutter pump coupled with our dredge system will allow the cleaning of the ponds while they remain online. This is critical to the ongoing operation of the plant,” he said.

This partner content is brought to you by Aussie Pumps. Further information on the complete range of Tsurumi cutter pumps is available on the Aussie Pumps website and from Dredging Solutions, Castle Hill.

Find Sewage Pumping Stations Related Companies In The Pump Industry Capability Guide

Superior Pump Technologies

WEG Australia Pty Ltd

Regal Rexnord IPS (Oceania)

Related articles

• Proven pump performance in both municipal and effluent treatment plants
• Online vibration monitoring of Mackay’s Nebo Road Hi-Lift Pumping Station
• Viega’s Propress System provides the perfect alternative to traditional plumbing solutions
• Bathurst Water Treatment Plant meets Ragazzini perastaltic pumps
• Detecting imbalance in centrifuges