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MEMBER’S BLOG: Overcoming the issues of transporting dewatered sludge and other viscous products

By Lesley Eaton, Business Development and Marketing Manager, SEEPEX UK

The latest Innovation from SEEPEX – Smart Air Injection (patent pending) – combines the advantages of two technologies, progressive cavity pumps and dense phase pneumatic conveying. With this combination it is possible to transport dewatered sludge with high dry solids content over long distances in an energy-efficient manner. Dewatered sludge (or other highly viscous media) is introduced into the pipeline using a progressive cavity pump, forming compacted material which is split into ‘plugs’ and pushed down pipelines of up to 1,000 metres using compressed air.

Out with the old

Traditionally long distance transfer of dewatered sludge has been carried out by belt and screw conveyors and bucket elevators, which require a lot of costly maintenance, especially working at heights if silos are filled. In addition, these systems are frequently open to the environment, resulting in unpleasant odours, rehydration by rainwater, and complications on vertical or inclined transportation. As an alternative, closed piping can be used in conjunction with multi-stage progressive cavity (PC) pumps and piston pumps. However, these require comparatively high investment costs for higher pressure-rated pipework and valves (in some cases more than 100 bar).

Plant-specific solution

SEEPEX Smart Air Injection (SAI) uses a progressive cavity pump with an open hopper and auger feed screw to produce a solid ‘plug’ of dewatered sludge, which is then transported onwards by means of pulsed compressed air injection controlled via an algorithm optimised for the application. The pneumatically-transported sludge plug is lubricated with boundary layer liquid, for example dilute polymer solution. This reduces friction in the pipework and improves the energy efficiency of the system as a whole.

SAI permanently reduces the pressure in the entire pipeline to below 6 bar, generated by the pump to set the sludge plug in motion. Adjusting system parameters, such as polymer and air volumes makes it possible to set a plant-specific, energy-optimised operating point.

Smart systems

The reduction in friction losses and the discharge pressure requirements mean that pumps fitted with Smart Conveying Technology (SCT) can be used for long distance, high viscosity transfer duties. Pump maintenance time is minimal (rotor stator replacement in less than an hour), as pipework removal is not required for maintenance. The lower discharge pressure additionally ensures an increased service life for the components, which is further extended by SCT whereby the stator can be adjusted to maintain pumping performance as performance drops. Additionally, in the automated SAI system, process monitoring can be integrated into existing automation and control systems via conventional interfaces. All functional components, sensors and actuators are part of the scope of supply, and are integrated into the control software SAI, which is optimised for the respective application.

About SEEPEX

SEEPEX UK Ltd is the UK subsidiary of SEEPEX, a global developer and manufacturer of progressive cavity pumps, macerators and control systems. Established in 1972, SEEPEX has more than 700 employees serving customers in over 70 countries worldwide, across a variety of industries including water and waste water, food and beverage, oil and pharmaceutical, chemical and many more. SEEPEX provides a comprehensive sales and support service for its products, ensuring that customers enjoy the best technical and commercial pumping solutions.

For UK media enquiries about SEEPEX please contact:
Lesley Eaton, SEEPEX UK Ltd
3 Armtech Row, Houndstone Business Park, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 8RW
Direct Tel: 07773 345982
Direct Email: leaton@seepex.com
Sales Tel: 01935 472376
Email: sales.uk@seepex.com
Website: www.seepex.com

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