Pumping stations play a crucial role in the sewage system, being responsible for transporting wastewater from urban areas to treatment plants. To ensure the entire system operates smoothly and efficiently, it is essential to select the right equipment already at the pumping stage – in order to properly prepare the wastewater for the subsequent stages of treatment.
Following the expansion of a local street and the connection of new households to the municipal sewage network, the Water and Sewage Company in Giżycko, Poland, decided to upgrade a residential pumping station.
The Esmil Group was involved in the project from an early preparatory stage, supporting the Client with its technical expertise and experience in selecting optimal technological solutions. As a result of this collaboration, PRODEKO-EŁK Sp. z o.o., a company belonging to the Esmil Group, was selected as the equipment supplier for the modernized pumping station.
Operational challenges and issues in wastewater pumping stations
One of the most common operational problems in wastewater pumping stations is the clogging of pumps and installation components, caused by the presence of fibrous and solid materials in the wastewater – primarily textile contaminants (such as rags, wet wipes, and diapers) as well as other hygiene products that should not enter the sewage system. These materials tend to wrap around pump impellers, leading to blockages, equipment failures, and costly downtimes.
Previously, the inflow channel of the pumping station in question was not equipped with any devices to capture larger contaminants present in the wastewater. As a result, these materials were pumped directly into the treatment plant, leading to serious failures, operational disruptions, and ultimately, system downtimes.
ESMIL equipment installed in the inflow channel
To mitigate issues related to pump clogging, the client – following consultations with specialists from the Esmil Group – decided to equip the modernized inflow channel with a back-raked screen, a screw compacting press, and a penstock, all manufactured by our company.
Back-Raked Screen type RP 0457
Mechanical screens represent the first line of defense in the mechanical wastewater treatment process, responsible for separating solid contaminants from incoming flows. As part of the pumping station modernization, a type RP 0457 back-raked screen was installed. Thanks to its advanced design, this model is an ideal solution for treatment plants and pumping stations struggling with fibrous contaminants in the wastewater.
- The reverse rake arrangement ensures efficient capture and removal of materials such as rags, cloths, and hygiene products – all of which pose significant risks to the proper operation of pumping systems.
- The rake mechanism is positioned behind the bars, coming into contact only with the cleaned water. This configuration significantly reduces the risk of jamming and contamination of the moving parts.
An additional advantage of the device is its intuitive and straightforward operation, allowing operational personnel to be quickly onboarded without the need for advanced training.
Screw Compacting Press SCP 2007
In the next stage, the screenings collected by the back-raked screen are transported to the screw compacting press type SCP 2007. This device is responsible for washing and dewatering the collected solid contaminants, resulting in a significant reduction in their volume – and consequently, lower transportation and disposal costs.
The ESMIL SCP screw compacting press offers multiple operating modes, allowing for flexible adjustment of the unit’s parameters to suit specific operational conditions and fluctuating wastewater loads.
Penstock
The penstock installed in the channel enables precise regulation and control of wastewater flow. It is made of AISI 304 (1.4301) stainless steel. The construction meets stringent sealing standards, ensuring efficient and trouble-free operation.
Summary
Clogging of pumps by fibrous and solid contaminants – such as textiles, wet wipes, and hygiene products – is one of the most serious operational challenges in wastewater pumping stations. Equipping the modernized inflow channel of the Giżycko pumping station with a back-raked screen, a screw compacting press, and a wall-mounted penstock from ESMIL has effectively reduced this issue. Thanks to these solutions, the wastewater is better prepared for subsequent treatment stages, significantly improving the overall efficiency of the treatment plant.
