Sewage pumps are one of the great inventions of the 20th century. While gravity alone was historically used to move sewage from one location to another, there are situations where it is simply impossible to place plumbing uphill from a sewage or septic system and rely on gravity to handle the job. In these situations, a sewage pump is needed.
The Basics of Sewage Pumps
Sewage pumps are designed to allow sewage materials to be moved efficiently, even in cases that require movement of waste material against the flow of gravity. Sewage pumps may also incorporate features which will take solid waste material and break it down into smaller particles or mix it with liquid waste in order to form a slurry, or thick mud like material. The ultimate goal of a sewage pump is to transport waste material from its original source to the various industrial and residential waste water treatment plants. Because of the intense conditions these sewage pumps are exposed to on a constant basis, they are often constructed from stainless steel, known for its strength and durability. There are several different types of sewage pumps, each designed to handle specific situations and each functioning off a specific principle of force or energy to achieve their task.
Submersible Sewage Pumps
A submersible sewage pump is mounted within the sewage tank itself and is designed to work when fully surrounded by the sewage materials it is designed to pump. The motor of a submersible sewage pump is contained inside an oil filled cavity designed to house the motor and protect it from contact with the waste material surrounding it. A lip or a mechanical seal protects the motor from the liquid. They are designed to pump or grind large solids to smaller sizes.
Agitator Pumps
Reserved primarily for industrial applications where larger amounts of solid waste is more common, agitator sewage pumps work by agitating, or moving, the waste materials around the inlet area. Since solid waste material tends to accumulate and block the pumps inlet without the aid of agitation, this process keeps the waste solids blended with the liquid in order to form a slurry which passes through the pump easily. By relying on kinetic energy, or motion, agitator pumps are able to keep the matter in a continuous slurry slate without allowing it to separate back into its solid and liquid components. The waste slurry is then processed through the pump and discharged. As long as the agitation stays constant, the pump will remain free of solid waste build-up.
Sewage Grinder Pumps
Sewage grinder pumps do precisely what their name implies, they grind and shred solid waste material into smaller matter that is then passed up to higher ground using a system of high pressure pipes. Low pressure systems can also be used to achieve the same results when the distance and elevation the waste is required to pass through isn’t as great. The grinder pump ensures the waste is shredded or ground down enough to allow it to eventually be discharged, via pressure, through the smaller outlet pipes.
Ejector Pumps
Sewage ejector pumps work primarily on the principle that waste water is not always able to overcome gravity at a high enough speed to reach its destination. Sewage ejector pumps can be suspended vertically, with the cover of the sewage basin housing the pump motor. The motor is held in place by a support shaft and is then connected to the housing system containing the ejector pump. The other option for a ejector pump involves a shaft directly connecting the motor and the ejector pump. Both the motor and pump are then submerged within the basin itself. This design is often referred to as a close-coupled submersible ejector pump.
What To Consider When Buying a Sewage Pump
While there are several other types of sewage pumps that rely on other methods of waste disposal, these are the most common. The most important factors to consider when selecting a sewage pump is the maximum flow and pressure discharge capabilities, the potential size for the discharged material, and the overall strength or horsepower of the pump itself. The power source of the pump itself should also be taken into consideration since they can run on electric power, gasoline or diesel fuel, and even water, steam and solar energy for those seeking a more environmentally friendly option.
Whether the sewage need is residential, commercial, or industrial, there is a specific type of sewage pumped geared specifically towards your needs and requirements.
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