Chemical Manufacturer Stops Clogs & Flooding with SKX Submersible Shredder Pumps

Based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Ford-Gelatt (a SunSource company) provides industrial pumping equipment and repair services to the oil and gas, power generation, and chemical process industries. Over the past 25 years, service representatives from Ford-Gelatt have supported the maintenance team working in-house at a local chemical manufacturing facility. This chemical manufacturer is the second-largest producer of chemicals in the United States, and they have worked with Ford-Gelatt for over two decades to source and select pumps for a variety of applications.

When the chemical manufacturer experienced frequent clogging of their horizontal self-priming pumps, they contacted Scott Swilley, Industrial Equipment Specialist at Ford-Gelatt, to find a solution that would enable them to avoid flooding and eliminate the related clean-up costs.

The Challenge      

Two horizontal self-priming pumps had been pumping from two separate 9-foot deep sewage sumps. These pumps send raw sewage from the chemical manufacturing facility to the nearby wastewater treatment facility. But, they clogged excessively and led to inconvenient flooding on two separate occasions. The flooding forced employees out of the manufacturing facility into off-site rental trailers. A third-party company had to clean and sanitize the flooded area. The clean-up was a lengthy process, and costly!

Not wanting to risk a flood of raw sewage a third time, the chemical manufacturer’s maintenance manager contacted Swilley to discuss replacing the self-priming pumps. In discussing the problem with Swilley, it was clear that the new corrosion-resistant pumps for this sewage lift application would need to meet the following requirements:

• Non-Clog. It was critical to select non-clog corrosion-resistant pumps that could handle the solids and raw sewage that entered the sumps. The new corrosion-resistant pumps needed to reliably transport the raw sewage out of the sumps to the effluent treatment facility.
• Rated for Continuous Duty. The pumps in these sumps operated almost 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; so it was important to install non-clog corrosion-resistant pumps that could run reliably for extended periods of time.
• Durable and Reliable. The maintenance manager’s goal was to avoid flooding, so it was critical to install a corrosion-resistant pump with proven reliability in these sumps.

The Solution

The chemical manufacturer had previously installed BJM Pumps in several drainage sumps throughout their facility. Having 6 corrosion-resistant stainless steel submersible shredder pumps (model SKX15CSS) already operating reliably in their chemical manufacturing facility, the maintenance manager was confident in the SKX Series pumps.

For these specific sewage lift sumps, Swilley recommended an SKX model, the SKX110CSS, for the following reasons:

• The SKX110CSS submersible shredder pump will not clog: Manufactured with non-clog, two-vane impellers designed for high volume and lift performance, the SKX corrosion-resistant pump cuts and passes solids up to 3.5 inches in size, while delivering high liquid volume at up to 845 gallons per minute. The SKX, designed for industrial shredding applications, uses a Tungsten Carbide Tip Fang™ impeller. This specially engineered impeller cuts against a spiral-shaped diffuser plate to continuously rip apart solids-laden sewage with 360-degree shredding action.
• The SKX110CSS offers corrosion-resistant stainless steel: All the internal components exposed to the raw sewage are made of 316 Stainless Steel. This includes all wear and wetted parts, such as impeller, wear-plate, seal chamber, and pump volute. The elastomers, such as O-rings, lip seals, and gaskets, are made of durable FKM. With a durable construction, this pump rates for continuous duty and is built to last.
• The SKX110CSS has “Three Seal Motor Protection”: An oil-lubricated double seal design protects the motor as the double mechanical seals are comprised of a lower seal made of silicon carbide/silicon carbide and upper seal faces made of carbon/ceramic. An additional lip seal above the impeller helps prevent abrasives from entering into the seal chamber. Utilizing winding protection and (NEMA) Class F motor insulation, the SKX corrosion-resistant pump is superior to pumps with Class A and B insulation because the (NEMA) Class F motor insulation allows the motor temperature to raise up to 230°F. An automatic switch turns the pump motor off if the temperature and/or amp draw raises too high. When the motor cools, the switch automatically resets and the pump begins operating again.

After thorough deliberation, the chemical manufacturer purchased (2) SKX110CSS corrosion-resistant stainless steel submersible shredder pumps and installed them in the fall of 2016. BJM Pumps provided the guide rails to make installation and future inspection and maintenance easier for the in-house maintenance team. The pumps work well in the sewage application with no clogging and flooding since installing the SKX corrosion-resistant pumps. The chemical manufacturer plans to purchase two additional SKX corrosion-resistant pumps for their other two sewage lift sumps. This will pre-empt any potential clogging and flooding – thereby avoiding headaches and unnecessary clean-up costs.

Industrial Flow Solutions specializes in the design, manufacturing, sales, and service of pumping and fluid management solutions for harsh, rugged environments. With OverWatch™ direct in-line pump systems, BJM Pumps® products, and Stancor® Pumps and Controls, we offer a comprehensive portfolio of submersible and direct in-line pumps and controls ideal for industrial, commercial, and municipal applications.

IFS offers problem-solving solutions for Industries including Mining & Materials, Food Processing, Construction, Commercial Building Trades, Municipal Wastewater, and Power Generation/utilities. Our years of application and design engineering experience provide you the assurance that you are getting the best-fit pump for your application.

Contact one of their Application Engineers today to learn more. 860-631-3618 | flowsolutions.com