frayedknot
Mechanical
- May 23, 2003
- 18
Since I have "engineer" after my name my local community HOA has volunteered me to head up the sewer committee to find a solution to our lift station problems. We own the lift station so we get to pay for all our problems - over $15k this year alone in pumps and emergency calls.
1) 80 homes
2) two 3 HP submersible grinder pumps (don't know NPSH or any other design requirements at this time)
3) VFD installed some time in the past to adjust acceleration of the pumps during starting. How do I find info on how to set up the VFD? I'm not sure if the guys that check our pumps know much because they seem to make adjustments every time they come out for a trip...or is this normal?
We have multiple problems with debris clogging the pumps, causing them to trip offline. At least one pump has been replaced due to insulation failure in the windings. The debris has been anything from diapers, rags, underwear, "flushable" cleaning supplies, etc. The problems seem to get worse after a hard rain. Is there anything we can do to mitigate the problems? Obviously we need to educate the community to not use their toilets as their trashcan but what about from a design perspective? If there is inflow during a hard rain how does that challenge the pumps? I understand cloth items being a challenge but more water shouldn't be, right?
Thanks!
1) 80 homes
2) two 3 HP submersible grinder pumps (don't know NPSH or any other design requirements at this time)
3) VFD installed some time in the past to adjust acceleration of the pumps during starting. How do I find info on how to set up the VFD? I'm not sure if the guys that check our pumps know much because they seem to make adjustments every time they come out for a trip...or is this normal?
We have multiple problems with debris clogging the pumps, causing them to trip offline. At least one pump has been replaced due to insulation failure in the windings. The debris has been anything from diapers, rags, underwear, "flushable" cleaning supplies, etc. The problems seem to get worse after a hard rain. Is there anything we can do to mitigate the problems? Obviously we need to educate the community to not use their toilets as their trashcan but what about from a design perspective? If there is inflow during a hard rain how does that challenge the pumps? I understand cloth items being a challenge but more water shouldn't be, right?
Thanks!