Picking a Pump | Wastewater Digest

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What is a Pump?

A pump is centrifugal. Semi-trash. Trash. Diaphragm.

These are the primary examples of the different types of pumps available to municipalities. While this variety offers plenty of options to pick from, it also can make the process a bit overwhelming. Whether an engineer, corporate manager or technician, selecting a pump for a water or wastewater application is a highly important decision. There are many styles to choose from and each is designed a bit differently.

While all pumps will move liquid effectively from one location to another, all pumps are not created equal. Some pumps are designed to move thick, muddy water, while others are capable only of handling clean, clear water. Certain pumps allow sticks, stones and various trash to flow through, whereas others would become clogged with such debris.

Choosing an incorrect pump can result in poor performance and damage to the pump’s components. Pumps should be selected based on the type of water being moved. But what makes a certain type of water acceptable for one pump but not for another? How does one differentiate slightly dirty water from debris-littered water? To accurately choose the best pump for the job, the user must look below the surface and investigate what is in the water.

Why Centrifugal Pumps Are a Clear Choice

For applications in which clean water must be moved, centrifugal pumps offer the best and most inexpensive solution.

Centrifugal pumps have narrow impeller vanes, which means that clear water virtually free of debris is the only type of water this pump is able to handle. Of course, there always is a chance that seemingly clear water will contain at least a small amount of debris. That is why these pumps are equipped with a strainer, which acts as a safety net and stops unseen debris from entering the intake hose. Draining a pond or aiding in an emergency water supply project are examples of when a centrifugal model would be suitable.

But what if the water is even slightly muddy, sandy or littered with debris? The strainer will help prevent unexpected particles from damaging the pump, but if a user detects any amount of debris in the water, he or she should be aware that another type of pump exists specifically for this situation. For water that may contain debris that could clog or damage a centrifugal pump, a semi-trash pump is the best option.

When Centrifugal Won’t Pump It

In the simplest terms, semi-trash pumps work in the same way as centrifugal pumps, but they have thicker impeller vanes and a larger volute discharge opening to allow small debris to flow through. As a general rule of thumb, debris up to 0.75 in., or about the size of a dime, should pass through without any problems.

A semi-trash pump should be used in any situation in which there is uncertainty that a centrifugal pump will be able to handle the job. Water that appears a bit dirty or sandy should be moved using this type of pump. If there is even a hint of debris, err on the side of caution and go with a semi-trash pump.

While a semi-trash pump is capable of handling more than a centrifugal pump, it can have problems if the debris is too large. It is incapable of handling sticks, stones or rock particles. If a user detects any such debris in the water, he or she should opt for the next level of pump—a trash pump.

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Trash Pumps Can Handle Large Debris

For items that are too big for a semi-trash pump to handle, a trash pump is the best choice. With thicker vanes than a semi-trash pump and the same large volute discharge opening, a trash pump operates the same way but allows larger debris to flow through.

Small sticks, stones and other debris from 0.75 to 1.25 in., or up to the size of a half-dollar coin, can go through a trash pump successfully. This makes it ideal to handle thicker, sandier and dirtier water than a semi-trash pump.

These pumps are a good choice for situations in which high volumes of water that may contain trash need to be moved, especially if there is uncertainty that the debris would be too large to be handled by a semi-trash pump. Removing excess water from a reservoir or basin after a flash flood is an example of an application that may require a trash pump. A trash pump will be able to keep the water moving, even with bits of rocks and other similarly sized items hiding beneath the surface.

A trash pump can handle thicker water and fairly large debris. But what about really muddy or viscous water that may contain larger solids, trash or other particles, or water that is so thick that it is almost impossible to detect what kinds of debris may be submerged? A diaphragm pump will handle the toughest water with large debris best.

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Often referred to as a “mud hog” or “mud pump,” the diaphragm pump is the one to choose when the water is so thick or dirty that the user cannot detect what may be lurking beneath the surface.

Diaphragm pumps are capable of handling sticks, stones, mud, trash and other debris up to 2 in., or a bit larger than a golf ball. Basically anything that can fit through the opening will be able to go through. Useful in wastewater management applications, it is able to pump muddy water, sludge and other thick liquids that have the ability to flow.

All of these capabilities mean a higher price tag for this type of pump. For this reason, a diaphragm pump is typically used only when it is the sole machine that can handle the job. It operates at a slower rate than the others, so be prepared for the job to take a bit longer. For instance, a 3-in. trash pump will move water at a rate of about 315 gal per minute (gpm), compared with a 3-in. diaphragm pump, which will move water at a rate of about 60 to 70 gpm.

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The Bottom Line

With so many pumps available, it can be difficult to know if you are using the correct one. Improper selection may result in unsatisfactory pump performance, not to mention possible damage to the machine’s components. Having knowledge of each type of pump and, more importantly, what is in the water being pumped, will ensure the best selection is made for the job at hand.

If you're new to effluent pumps, they're used to pump "greywater," which just means "dirty water" with limited solids.

This includes laundry water, limited septic fluids, and other wastewater. Effluent pumps are typically used to pump grey-water from a septic tank to a leach field.

For raw sewage, a sewage pump or grinder pump is recommended to prevent clogging from handling solids larger than 3/4" in width.

Choosing the Right Housing Material

Effluent pumps are available in a variety of different housing materials, depending on your preference. Stainless steel and brass pumps can be found on the market, but the most common are cast iron and thermoplastic.

Cast iron housing offers rugged durability and added weight, whereas thermoplastic offers affordability and lighter weight. Cast iron effluent pumps are built to last and can stand up to heavy-duty use. They're a must-have in commercial applications, and the desired style for homeowners looking for longevity.

Thermoplastic pumps hold up well against corrosion, and they're also more affordable. They're ideal for less demanding applications if you're looking for a more economical choice. They're also easier to install or remove because they weigh less.

Sizing an Effluent Pump Correctly

If you're replacing an old effluent pump, you can typically use the same horsepower that you had before. That said, you should also pay close attention to the GPH or gallons per hour rating as they can vary by horsepower. If your pump wasn't keeping up, you may need to upgrade to a higher horsepower so it can keep up.

Below is a table that can help give you a basic idea of the horsepower you need in a pump, based on the most common characteristics of a septic system.

If you were able to get several years of service out of your old pump, chances are that it's the right horsepower to choose. If your previous pump stopped working after a couple of months, you may want to consider a different horsepower. It's possible that your old pump may have been too weak or too strong for your application.
 

Effluent Pumps Vs Sewage Pumps

You'll notice that names for types of pumps are used interchangeably across the web, and the applications specific to effluent pumps may get confusing. The best way we can explain the difference between a sump pump, sewage pump, and an effluent pump is dependent on the material that it's pumping, and where that material is being sent to.

The main difference between an effluent pump and a sewage pump is that effluent pumps are meant for pumping grey water with minimal solids, preferably smaller than 1/2" in diameter, whereas sewage pumps are designed to handle human waste-solids and sewage materials up to 2" diameters.

Sewage pumps are also more powerful and generally pump water at a higher GPM (gallons per minute). Grinder pumps operate much like a sewage pump, with the addition of rotating blades at the base of the pump that tears up solid materials into a fine slurry before shooting through the pump and discharge pipes. Grinder pumps are usually used in commercial applications in restaurants, bars, hotels, or rental properties.

You do not want to use an effluent pump in place of a sewage or grinder pump when the application involves sewage water, waste solids, or passing solids larger than 1/2" in diameter. You may risk the pump burning out prematurely, clogging, or sewage backups.

When to Use an Effluent Pump

Effluent pumps are used in greywater applications where gravity is not enough to send water to the home's drainage system. Common effluent pump uses are for a laundry drain pump system or a remote sink drain system.

Effluent pump systems are also perfect when adding a wet bar, sink, or laundry room in the basement that sits below the home's main drainage lines. The best applications for effluent pumps are laundry tub drain and discharge applications, dishwasher and remote sink drainage applications, and sometimes, sump pit applications when there is no risk of having larger solids become trapped in the pit.

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