On paper, it may seem straightforward: water is pumped to a different location. In practice, the distance between those two points may be subject to changes in flow rates, elevation differences in solids, pressure demands storage capacity, electrical equipment, maintenance access, and restrictions at the site.
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For Romtec Utilities the process of designing an infrastructure for pumping begins with specifying the operational conditions instead of choosing an item from a catalogue. Then, preliminary plans and budgetary specifications can be developed based on what is required by the project.
Start by asking a simple question: What are we moving?
The engineering is changed immediately.
There can be significant fluctuations in the rate of flow of domestic sewage. If gravity conveyance fails or is insufficient, a wastewater lift station will be required to move the wastewater. Engineers must therefore consider the expected flow, the conditions of peak, pumping capacity, wet-well behaviour, discharge requirements and how the equipment will operate and maintained.
Industrial water is a subject that presents a range of difficulties. Processing or manufacturing facilities may require moving high-temperature, caustic, oily, or high-pressure fluids. Romtec Utilities designs systems for industrial applications ranging from food processing to power generation to data centers, pharmaceutical waste and gasoline and oil facilities.
Rainfall is a completely different operating environment
Stormwater systems may be off the grid for long periods and then suddenly be required to handle large volumes in the event of a major storm.
A stormwater lift station associated with a detention basin, for example, must work with the site’s larger drainage strategy. The runoff is absorbed by the basin for detention, and the temporary storage is responsible for immediately the volume and the pumping system moves the collected water to an approved discharge point.
Romtec Utilities provided this solution for the development of an Norco business park in California. This project needed a pumping system that would empty a reservoir into the stormwater system of the public. The station therefore had to be constructed as part of the drainage infrastructure, not as isolated equipment.
The term “package” does not have to mean off-the-shelf
Many people believe that a package-pumping system is just a predetermined collection of parts.
In the case of engineered infrastructure packaging could mean that all major components are linked into a system. Pumps and valves can be selected based on their job requirements.
This strategy is especially useful when the new system needs to be connected with an existing infrastructure. In the case of industrial facilities and municipal buildings, there is rarely an infinite amount of space or perfect environment to install. The equipment might need to be modified in accordance with existing piping systems, structures electric system, as well as operating schedules.
The Real Consequences of Capacity Planning
Undersizing becomes particularly costly when facilities expand.
At Portland International Airport, Romtec Utilities created and installed the sewer interceptor lift station to support the PDX Next expansion. The station was developed to provide double the peak flow capacity of the prior system as airport facilities expanded.
This highlights a fundamental aspect of engineering: design conditions should not only reflect what an installation handles in an average afternoon. Engineers also have to be aware the impact of peak demand.
The work isn’t done until the equipment is delivered.
At some point, drawings and calculations must become an operational system. Installation coordination and documentation are vital to long-term success.
After a few years, the success of an engineered pumping systems is determined. When flows increase or a major storm occurs or equipment needs maintenance the decisions made in preliminary design become very visible.
Romtec Utilities integrates these choices into a pumping solution specifically tailored to a project. This helps transform individual equipment into an infrastructure designed for the conditions they will encounter.