VAUGHAN CHOPPER PUMPS

[Berko]

Hi All,

Does anyone have experience of Vaughan Chopper pumps.

How do they cope with rag laden sewage/wastewater ?

How well do they chop solids once wear takes place at the cutters ?

Any feedback on these pumps good or bad would be appreciated.

Regards,

Berko

 

[kchayfie]

I can't answer your questions specifically but I'll drop in my two cents in the hope it helps just a little...

On a number of projects I worked on, the client (a UK-based water company) specifically requested we include Vaughan chopper pumps in the options considered for a sewage sludge tank mixing operation. I was shifted across onto another project before the final decision was made so I never found out what was selected but I know it came down to cost rather than any issues with functionality or operability.

So basically what I'm offering up is that the feedback from our client is probably positive because they wanted it and our guys didn't have a problem with supplying it in principal. I know it doesn't necessarily relate to your application but I thought I'd get the ball rolling in terms of responses.

 

[Berko]

Hi Kchayfie,

I am interested in your comments relating sludge tank mixing.

We are considering one of these system for a raw sludge mixing system, which is one of my reasons for the original thread.

Our concerns are:

1. The nozzles & pipe ring main bore size appear very small & must rely on the macerator effect of the pump to avoid blockages. If the pump wears, we think pump & nozzle blockages could ensue

2. All the nozzles & pipe ring main are located in the tank, which poses its own maintenance issues.

Is there anyway you can find out if the Vaughan system was installed on these projects & how they performed.

They are a lot of money & we don't want to end up with a dud product.

Regards,

Berko

 

[kchayfie]

I've had a look through the files and as far as I can tell, we ended up using a Hidrostal pumped mixing system. I couldn't find any over the paperwork comparing the options so I can't tell you why this system was preferred over the Vaughan option (and I'm afraid I can't ask the guy who made the selection because I'm in hiding - if I remind him I exist he'll remember to give me a load of work on another project and I just don't have time to do it yet!). But apart from that...

The hidrostal systems have only been in place for a few months now but there is nothing on the grapevine to suggest there have been any problems on those sites so it looks like they are doing the job in the early days. I can't comment on long term operation yet.

I don't know that this has really answered any of your queries but you can always check out the Hidrostal option and see if you're more comfortable with their design.

 

[Berko]

Hi kchayfie,

I'm glad I bumped into you !!

We are looking to put a sludge tank mixing system in Fiji.

We have considered submersible mixers (ABS & ITT), but have had past issues with them ragging & hassles with "in tank" maintenance.

This leaves us looking at the Vaughan Rotamix system + the Hidrostal mixing system.

References for Vaughan in my region (Asia Pacific) are plentiful as they are represented in New Zealand. We however have some reservations with regards to the use of a chopper pump,the relatively small nozzle/pipe bores & again the potential for "in tank" maintenance.

Hidrostal sludge tank mixers it seems are only now starting to be internationally marketted. As far as we are aware the only installations currently are in the UK. Site references are proving difficult to get.

We have used Hidrostal's on sludge & raw sewage in the past with good results, but never with mixers.

At the risk of increasing your work load, would it be possible to get a reference of the site you talk about in your last reply.

We need Tank size, sludge type, number of pumps & nozzles + how well it mixes. If you could get site name & contact details even better.

Here's hoping you can help,

Berko