Nov Mono pumps up capacity and head at UU’s Acton Bridge 28 April 2011

A high performance packaged pumping system from Nov Mono has been specified by United Utilities to improve process efficiency at its pumping station in Acton Bridge, following an increase in capacity.

Ian Warburton, field service engineer at Acton Bridge, explains that the pumping station began experiencing problems shortly after the addition of raw sewage from a local bar and restaurant. It could no longer cope with the full pressure of the discharge head in the rising main, which runs at just over a mile, he says.

United Utilities needed new plant that could handle the rise in capacity and pressure, but also allow the pumps to be dismantled and maintained in a restricted space.

"Having unsuccessfully trialled a number of alternative technologies, we decided to call upon Nov Mono. We have used [their] products for over 15 years at a number of sites and we know they are extremely reliable," says Warburton.

"By combining two of its EZstrip progressing cavity pumps with two high performance macerators, Nov Mono provided us with the ideal solution," he continues.

"The installation process as a whole was extremely smooth and we are very happy with the service. I have worked with many subcontractors over the years and have never come across a team more willing to go the extra mile."

With a capacity range of up to 500m3/h raw sewage, Nov Mono packaged pumping systems typically combine a progressing cavity pump with a solids grinder, which enables the use of a small bore rising main. This involves significantly lower installation costs compared to a traditional 100mm rising main sewer – up to 75% savings, according to Nov Mono.

In action, the positive displacement action of the pump lifts the raw sewage from the sump into the cutting chamber of the macerator/grinder. By using a larger bore elutriation pipe for the pump suction, hard and heavy objects are left behind in the bottom of the sump and so cannot cause any damage to the pumping equipment. Meanwhile, the sewage and any textile and fibrous matter is macerated and then pumped away into the main gravity sewer.

Brian Tinham

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NOV Process & Flow Technologies UK Ltd

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