Turns out that with just 28 days (in common years), February is the only month of the year that can pass without a full moon. Of course February is also the month where people annually turn to a rodent for weather advice, so maybe odd cycles and February just go hand in hand. Fortunately, whatever the time of year and engineered equipment need you encounter, the Charles P. Crowley Company is at the ready and there to serve you, time and again.
Cycling through this Chatter begins with a look at what sets rotary positive displacement 3-screw pumps apart. Then things shift to examining a polymer system installation that actually reduced polymer usage by over 25%. The last phase reveals ‘aeration elevated’ in both municipal and industrial wastewater treatment.
Let’s gaze at the Chatter …
Manufacturer of the Month
The modern-day three-screw pump design was invented in 1923 by Carl Montelius who along with Swedish financier Bengt Ingestrom, founded Imo AB. Today, as part of CIRCOR, IMO three-screw pumps reliably deliver increased uptime, longer maintenance intervals, and longevity. This also translates to savings on machinery lubrication, crude oil transport, hydraulic power transfer, fuel oil transport and machine coolant applications.
Three-screw pumps operate on the same principle of intermeshing screws as twin-screw pumps, but use a centrally located primary drive screw, or power rotor, which intermeshes with two secondary sealing screws, or idler rotors. This creates a moving labyrinth seal, which captures the fluid and transports it axially within a fluid closure (see Figure A). The pumping element does not pre-compress the fluid, rather transports it from the suction side of the pump to the discharge port in a smooth, continuous manner. The fluid closure concept provides the three-screw pump with its positive displacement capability.
Symmetrical pressure loading on the power rotor with such small forces eliminates the need for bearings to absorb radial forces. The idler rotors generate a hydrodynamic film providing radial support similar to journal bearings (See Figure B). Axial loads on the rotors, created by differential pressure, balance them hydraulically with such small forces that they can be handled by a single ball bearing, dramatically increasing the life of the pump.
Three screw pumps are ideal for clean, lubricating fluids. Fluid film thickness/operating clearance is typically smaller than that of a twin-screw design, giving higher efficiencies and higher-pressure capabilities than a twin-screw pump, providing that the viscosity is adequate and the fluid is clean enough to avoid disruptions to the internal fluid film. The simple design of a three-screw pump offers advantages for a wide variety of applications, that include:
- Pulse-free flow with extremely low vibration levels
- Low noise levels
- Higher-pressure boost capabilities
- High energy efficiency
- Long service life
- Excellent suction lift
- Low horsepower consumption
IMO three-screw pumps come in many configurations and sizes, enabling them to serve as a replacement when other pumps are not performing, and can be easily retrofitted into existing systems.
The Cutting Edge
CLEANWATER1 is the name to know for the former UGSI Solutions. The name was changed to better reflect their comprehensive offerings in the water and wastewater industry. Cleanwater1 maintains the same great products you know and trust, including the innovative Polyblend® and Dynablend™ Polymer Feed Systems. Just as important, Cleanwater1 systems continue to make a difference throughout the country.
Let’s take a look at one Water District that reduced polymer usage by over 25% with the Polyblend® DP 800 Dry Polymer System:
The City of Dixon goes through roughly 1.6 billion gallons of water annually. In order to provide water to nearly 4,300 households and businesses, the City of Dixon upgraded to a 4.5 MGD wastewater treatment plant.
Much like most other wastewater treatment plants, Dixon’s wastewater treatment plant uses polymer to aid in the dewatering of biosolids. Unfortunately, Dixon was running into some issues with their current system that was ratcheting up their costs. The plant staff at Dixon began searching for an economical alternative that would not jeopardize quality or efficiency.
The introduction of the Polyblend® DP 800 Dry Polymer System proved to be an excellent choice for the City of Dixon. It reduced overall operational, maintenance and polymer costs. The City reduced polymer consumption by 25%. The Polyblend® DP 800 has been in use for over a decade. The City of Dixon couldn’t be happier with its performance.
- Reduction In Polymer Consumption by over 25%.
- The Polyblend® system improved polymer performance in terms of sludge dryness, solids capture, water clarity, drainage and overall retention.
- The introduction of this new system lead to significant cost savings, which was one of the key issues plaguing the plant prior to the Polyblend® installation.
- The Polyblend® DP 800 reduced polymer consumption by through proper energy, impeller size and recirculation. This also prevented agglomerations and minimized polymer facture.
- The new system required far less maintenance further reducing operating costs.
Top Three
TITUS® Twister® Mixing Aerators have earned the label: Aeration Elevated. In both municipal and industrial wastewater treatment, the presence of high levels of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gases and various chemicals can lead to pervasive odors, corrosion, and safety hazards. Moreover, they pose significant challenges in terms of maintenance and equipment longevity.
Compounded by F.O.G. (fats, oils, greases), inorganic solids, pharmaceuticals, and waterborne pathogens, these issues directly impact the efficiency and health of collection systems, pump stations, lift stations, and wet wells. TITUS has revolutionized aeration and mixing in the wastewater industry with the innovative TITUS Twister Mixing Aerator. This groundbreaking solution offers chemical-free, highly efficient mixing capabilities, mechanical breakdown of solids (without any moving parts) and fosters optimal aerobic conditions to combat wastewater challenges. At the core of its effectiveness lies a unique patented design featuring Air-Lift Technology, membrane diffusers for enhanced dissolved oxygen delivery, robust stainless steel and HDPE components, advanced odor control mechanisms, and a range of standard systems adaptable to various applications.
In essence, TITUS Twister Mixing Aerators represent the epitome of next-generation aeration and mixing technology. Through a blend of passion, expertise, and cutting-edge patented innovations, the Twister series delivers superior outcomes at reduced costs and effort.
- Provides superior aeration and mixing efficiency
- Eliminates odors without chemicals
- Engineered for enduring durability
- Simple installation and operation (can be operational within an hour)
- Requires minimal maintenance compared to alternatives
- Offers substantial and tangible savings in time and costs
Do you have wastewater lagoons? Are you grappling with sludge or odor issues? Explore the TITUS Twister-FL Floating Aerators. Featuring the same technology, quality, and reliability as the TITUS Twister, these units come with additional efficiency and safety features tailored for lagoon applications.
For more information on these, or any of the products and manufacturers we represent, contact the Charles P. Crowley Company by calling 626-856-5656 or by emailing sales@cpcrowley.com.
