Product category:
Waste-water handling, monitors + treatment
News Release from: Nivelco Process Control | Subject: INC Ohio sewage station
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 16 November 2007
Ultrasonics solve grease problem with
sewage pumps
Nivelco ultrasonic level controls were used by INC Technical to solve a difficult sewage lift station control problem, providing pump cycling and overflow alarm outputs
INC Technical, of Cincinnati, Ohio, partnered with Nivelco to offer a non-contact ultrasonic pump control solution to replace the existing bubbler / float control method in a raw sewage lift station, with difficult operational conditions because of the heavy grease inflows from several restaurants in the area This grease problem had cause frequent sticking with the existing float systems
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 24 Dec 2002 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Loop powered liquid level transmitter
The two-wire version of the popular EchoTREK liquid level measurement system from Nivelco is now available with three different operating ranges, working up to 8 metres.
Next generation of compact level transmitters
Nivelco level control and measurement products now include capacitance, vibrating rod/fork, and float-operated level switches, plus hydrostatic bore-hole
With the lift station only a little wider than 2m, the installation required a narrow beam angle sensor to avoid having to move cables and railings.
Additionally pump alternation was requested, plus a high level alarm output to warn of an overflow event.
The duplex pump station offered some challenges with this, as the pumps were two speed pumps, essentially requiring the use of a four pump control scheme: but the low and high speed settings on each pump cannot be operated at the same time.
This was solved by programming the relays on the Nivelco Multicont to typical Lead 1/ Lead 2/ Lag 1/ Lag 2 configuration and then placing interposing and interlock relays to pull in the motor starters.
The measuring distance was between 27 feet and 19 feet from the top of the station.
The ultrasonic pulse echo transmitter selected was the Nivelco SPA-34-N-4 mounted on a custom fabricated aluminium and stainless steel mount with optional built in level.
The high alarm output from the Multicont electronics unit was then used to drive a basic alarm system consisting of a red strobe and 110db audible signal.
INC Technical then installed a small UPS system, to solve the frequent local supply difficulties, and used additional floats for backup alarms, also feeding the strobe light and audible alarm.
The utility has seen lower utility cost by extending the pump run time on the smaller pumps.
The utility plans on adding the station to their existing SCADA system later which will then be able to link with the Multicont for real time communications.
• Nivelco Process Control: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Processingtalk email newsletter
• Processingtalk Home Page
