Modern pump monitoring systems are engineered to tackle ragging issues with precision. One effective approach involves using a power analyzer that provides Real-Time Pump Protection™. DERAGGER® technology measures the pump’s raw power signature and analyzes its torque profile to identify potential problems. DERAGGER® can detect rags catching on the impeller early on. When this happens, the system slows down and reverses the pump to dislodge the rags, allowing them to pass through rather than accumulate into a blockage. Advanced software with sophisticated algorithms manages pump behavior, initiating “clean cycles” before rag balls cause damage. This proactive approach avoids reversals and delays that could lead to long-term issues.
Benefits of Cleaner Pumps
- Cost Savings: With fewer lift and cleaning operations needed, significant savings on staff time and costs can be achieved. The city of Palestine, Texas, saved $100,000 in eight months. Time previously spent on pump maintenance can now be allocated to other tasks.
- Enhanced Safety: Reduced handling of raw sewage decreases the risk of exposure to hazardous materials, protecting personnel from potential injuries like needle sticks.
- Fewer Blockages: Cleaner pumps mean fewer blockages, which lowers the risk of overspills and associated problems.
- Preventive Maintenance: Early detection of issues like bearing or seal wear allows for timely maintenance planning and prevents unexpected equipment failures.
- Reduced Runtime and Energy Costs: An independent study by the Water Research Centre (WRc) revealed that stations previously considered “non-ragging” showed reduced runtime and lower energy costs with DEAGGER®, which also contributed to an extended asset lifespan.
Some facilities opt for choppers or grinders to address ragging issues. However, the particles created by these types of pumps can pass through headworks screens and cause problems in treatment processes. Timed reversals or high-current set-points used to clear blockages are also risky, as the extent of debris inside the pump at the time of reversal is unpredictable. The DERAGGER® monitoring technology offers a more reliable way to enhance efficiency, minimize runtime, and prolong asset life.
Many lift stations experience partial ragging that affects efficiency without causing frequent blockages. This partial ragging can lead to decreased flow rates, increased runtime, and higher power consumption. The WRc study demonstrated that predictive monitoring improved efficiency by 7 percent, 15 percent, and 20 percent at stations.
In 2017, the city of Flora, Illinois, installed DERAGGER® and reported no need for lifting the station’s lid for cleaning within a year of installation. In Utah, the Water Reclamation Facility installed four devices in 2016 at its Pump Station. Previously, the pumps would rag at least once a week. With DERAGGER®, the facility now estimates savings of $780 per month due to improved efficiency.
The improper disposal of nonwoven and fibrous materials, such as wet wipes, presents a major challenge in the wastewater industry. DERAGGER® monitoring technologies offer effective solutions by detecting early signs of clogs and improving overall efficiency and asset longevity across wastewater systems.
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