For decades, engineers have used screw pumps for wastewater plant lift stations, storm water pumping, and other industrial applications. These pumps are used to move large volumes of liquid, but their design also makes it easy for large objects to pass through without clogging the system. This means water that is contaminated with various objects can be pumped with ease.

Screw pumps can also be operated when no water is present. This means there is no need to install additional parts to stop the pump from running in dry conditions. The pump can continue to operate regardless of how little water is present.

Screw pumps are not only efficient, they are also low maintenance. The pumps are designed with very few moving parts, and these parts constantly run at a slow speed. This innovative design minimizes wear and tear and the need for repairs.

Screw pumps can be used in a variety of industrial settings. However, there are two main types of screw pumps that engineers must choose between: open and enclosed. Before placing an order, it’s important to understand the differences between these two designs.

An Introduction to Open and Enclosed Screw Pumps

Before learning about the benefits of both open and enclosed screw pumps, it’s best to learn the differences between their designs.

An open screw pump has four components: a spiral screw, upper bearings, lower bearings, and a drive assembly. Open screw pumps are placed within concrete or steel troughs at a slight angle, leaving their screw-shaped design exposed.

Enclosed screw pumps are very similar to open screw pumps, however they are encased within a tube so their screw-shaped design is not exposed. Because the pump lies within a tube, it does not need to be placed within a cement or steel trough.

There are two types of enclosed screw pumps: Type S and Type C. Both of these types are enclosed within tubes, however the tube in a Type S design is stationary, whereas the tube in a Type C is not. Type C pumps are designed with two spiral flights welded to the inside of the pump’s tube, which rotates as it operates.

The Benefits of Open Screw Pumps

The open screw pump is known for its simplicity and reliability. These pumps are incredibly low maintenance as it is, however they can become even more durable. If the lower bearing is designed with a permanently greased lubricated roller bearing or a sleeve bearing, this will minimize the wear and tear even further.

If a repair is needed, it may be easier to identify the issue on an open screw pump than it would be on an enclosed pump. This is because the open design of an open screw pump makes it possible to see all of the moving parts.

The bottom of an open screw pump can operate in both submerged and non-submerged conditions, which makes it more versatile than other screw pumps.

The Benefits of Enclosed Screw Pumps

As previously mentioned, enclosed screw pumps are encased within a tube, which eliminates the need for a steel or concrete trough. Because it does not need a trough, it is considered easier to install than an open screw pump. It’s also a better choice for clients who are in need of a quick replacement and do not have the time to install a trough.

Both open and enclosed screw pumps are efficient, however the Type C pump operates at the highest efficiency. In fact, it is estimated that the Type C pump is between 5-10% more efficient than the open screw pump, which is why it has become a popular choice.

The Type C enclosed pump has a maximum inclination of 45 degrees, whereas the open screw pump and Type S enclosed pump both have a maximum inclination of 40 degrees. The difference between 40 and 45 degrees may not seem significant, but it results in the Type C enclosed pump leaving a much smaller footprint.

There are benefits to the Type S enclosed screw pump, too. The top of Type S enclosed pumps can be fixed in place or mounted onto a pivot. If it is mounted onto a pivot, the tube can be repositioned to adjust the pumping rate. Both the open and Type C designs do not have this flexibility.

How to Choose the Right Type of Screw Pump

There are benefits to both open and enclosed screw pumps, which can make it difficult to determine which is right for your needs. Instead of focusing on the design of the pump, think about how the pump will be used. These are the factors that should be taken into consideration when selecting a screw pump:

• Capacity
• Speed
• Inclination
• Number of Flights
• Horsepower

For example, the number of flights in a screw pump will have an impact on the output capacity of the system. This is because each additional flight increases the output capacity of the pump by about 25%. Therefore, it’s important to calculate the maximum output capacity needed so you can determine how many flights you will need. By approaching the decision in this manner, you will be able to select the perfect open or enclosed screw pump for your needs.

To learn more about open and enclosed screw pumps or to place an order, contact Lakeside Equipment Corporation today. At Lakeside Equipment Corporation, we are committed to treating water so it can be used as drinking water or safely returned to the environment. Since 1928, we have provided local governments and corporations with the high quality services and top-of-the-line equipment they need to help us achieve this goal. Call 630-837-5640 or visit our website to connect with a representative today.

As wastewater comes into a plant, one of the very first steps is to remove large solids. A bar screen is important for that reason. Despite ads, printed media, and other warnings that people stop flushing plastic wrappers, rags, baby wipes, and plastic applicators, it still happens. 

When a wastewater treatment plant is intertwined with storm drains, twigs, leaves, branches, cans, bottles, and plastic bags get into the wastewater. Bar screens remove these items to prevent clogs and damage to wastewater equipment. However, there are always challenges with wastewater bar screen operations that need to be considered.

Six Common Challenges of Wastewater Bar Screens and How to Overcome Them

What are some of the most common challenges with the operation and maintenance of wastewater bar screens? There are six at the top of our list.

The Accumulation of FOG

Fats, oils, and grease, aka FOG, are an annoyance that wastewater treatment plant operators deal with regularly. When FOG clings to trash rake bars, it builds up and solidifies into a stuck-on mess. Talk to city officials about requiring grease traps in restaurants and commercial kitchens in your municipality. Grease traps catch FOG for easy removal and keep it out of sewer lines. 

That will cut down on FOG, but it won’t remove it all. You need to degrease your bar screen regularly to keep it from creating clogs and slowing flow rates. Ask a wastewater treatment equipment specialist about the best screening materials for plants that get high quantities of FOG.

Clogs From Debris

Debris like branches, cans, bottles, and plastic bags are problems when they get stuck and reduce wastewater flow rates. While the role of a bar screen is to remove them, no system is foolproof. Items can get stuck and need clearing. 

Prevent debris accumulation by checking that the bars in your screen are sized appropriately for the most common materials you have to remove. If you get a lot of bottles and cans because your system is connected to stormwater, you might find wider spacing is fine. But, you get a lot of plastic applicators and they slip right past wider bars, so you need spacing that’s better at catching the smaller items.

You can also look into bar rakes that automatically reverse if there is a jam. By going into reverse, it helps clear the items that caused the obstruction and ensures the system works efficiently and effectively.

Corrosion

Wastewater can be corrosive, and even stainless-steel construction is susceptible to corrosion over time. You can apply coatings to bar screens to limit the damage. Regular inspections of the bars to check for corrosion help alert you to problems before they become a major headache.

If your wastewater treatment plant is in an industrial area, talk to city officials about requiring factories to have industrial wastewater treatment plants and treat their water before releasing it to the sewer system.

Mechanical Wear and Tear

Wear and tear from regular use is bound to happen. With planned maintenance and routine inspections, you can catch damaged or worn parts before the damage becomes a major inconvenience. Make sure your wastewater treatment plant has the appropriate screens in place to prevent damage. Look for durable construction, too. You might find that composite parts last longer than metal or plastic ones. 

Sand and grit also wear out components. A grit collection system is an essential part of a wastewater treatment plant, so make sure it’s part of your system.

Ragging

Rags are a headache. Look into rag catchers placed before your bar screens to catch rags, baby wipes, pads, and other fibrous materials before they get into your bar screen. When they reach a bar screen, they can wrap around components and get snagged, which creates extra work for your maintenance team.

Weather and the Unexpected

Not every system is connected to a stormwater system, but some still are. The U.S. is working hard to get cities and municipalities to separate systems and come up with ways to help with unexpected rainfall that leads to flooding of storm drains and wastewater treatment plants.

When weather creates high flow rates, your system may not be prepared. Have protocols in place for weather events, power outages, or unexpected equipment breakdowns. Measures that automatically adjust flow rates and help avoid overworking bar screens are essential.

Setting up a lot of green spaces between sidewalks and roadways provides one way to use up water. Adding rooftop gardens, turning concrete lots into parks and playgrounds, and tree-lined streets all help keep stormwater from rushing to storm drains. It also helps lower the risk of erosion.

What Does a Bar Screen Do?

Think of a bar screen like an escalator. It has steps that travel upward from wastewater areas and collect items on the bars as the steps move upward. At the top of that bar screen, the items get raked into a collection bin for composting or incineration, and the steps go back down to the wastewater to repeat the process.

Tips for Keeping Your Equipment in the Best Shape

Once you’ve installed wastewater bar screens, you need a regular preventative maintenance plan in place. That includes regular inspections and procedures that ensure your employees focus on efficient bar screen operations.

While a bar screen and trash rake do a great job, you need to have someone monitoring the controls. The ability to check performance remotely helps a lot, but there still needs to be someone performing basic maintenance. Some of the things that require basic maintenance are:

• Adjust and clean solenoid valves
• Check and adjust brushes and scrapers
• Check roller chains for wear and adjust tension as needed
• Inspect and grease the bearings and rack and pinion gears, if needed
• Inspect the tracking system and tighten any loose fasteners
• Periodically check for heavier debris like rocks
• Testing the motor for vibrations and amperage

When you have new wastewater bar screens installed, ask the experts what the best maintenance plan is and if there are any special considerations. Lakeside Equipment’s expertise with water treatment solutions dates back to 1928, so your municipal or industrial wastewater needs are addressed by a professional team with the insights you need.

We recommend two bar screens. The Raptor Multi-Rake Bar Screen excels at removing inorganic solids with low headloss. The FalconRake Bar Screen, also from Raptor, has a heavy-duty design that stands up to severe conditions and doesn’t rely on lower bearings, bushings, guides, or sprockets for minimal maintenance. Ask Lakeside Equipment about the pros and cons of these bar screens and find the right equipment for your plant’s needs.

In 2019, the median pay for wastewater treatment plant and system operators was just under $23 an hour. It’s an important job, but it’s also imperative that districts try to manage costs for the residents and businesses in that area. Optimizing your workforce is an important step, but it’s just the first step to take.

There’s another reason to optimize your employment strategies. The recent pandemic is forcing wastewater treatment districts to make sure employees are spaced for social distancing. With a goal of six feet, careful planning is important. Plus, some workers may be unable to return to work if they have COVID-19 or are caring for someone with the virus. Thought needs to go into the adjustments that keep the right staffing levels without sacrificing productivity.

How do you best manage your employees and make sure the time spent on wastewater treatment operations isn’t wasted time? How do you optimize your operator’s time? These are the best ways to cut costs without sacrificing work quality.

Evaluate the Strengths and Weaknesses in Your Current Wastewater Treatment System

Complete a thorough site review. Look at the equipment you have in your wastewater facility and track flow rates, the amount of maintenance that’s performed each week, month, or year, and how old it is. See how many hours the equipment is at peak flow rates and when the wastewater isn’t coming in as fast. In many communities, morning showers and dinner hours are going to be the busiest. See if that matches up with what the operators experience each day.

Take time to ask the operators of that equipment how comfortable they are and if they encounter frequent issues. If there are problems, what has to be done to fix them. How many hours are operators spending on fixing issues or waiting for maintenance? Now, ask them how much time they spend sitting back and monitoring the different processes. This impacts productivity.

Look at the growth in your district. If the population has increased by 20% in the past couple of years, you have to consider how well your system can keep up with the growth. It could be time to rethink things and plan a major upgrade.

Is weather impacting the amount of wastewater entering the system? Has winter snow accumulation drastically increased over the past decade? Are sudden downpours or an increase in hurricanes more frequent than in the past? You can’t control the weather, but you can design a system that handles the unexpected and more frequent stormwater rushing into the plant.

Put Extra Time and Energy Into Training

Productivity also relies on the employees you have. Operators need to know what they’re doing and how to accommodate any surprises that pop up during the day. If you run into employees who seem to struggle more than others, they may just need some additional training. Look into workshops for them or put them with your best worker to hone their skills.

People learn at different rates. What took one operator a week to learn may take someone else two weeks. Try not to rush workers who are doing their best. If you train them too fast, they’re more likely to make mistakes. Operators who are pushed to learn quickly and don’t feel supported may just walk away. Can you afford to lose an employee and have to start from scratch?

On the other hand, you don’t want to waste time training a worker who is more interested in checking a phone than working. You should take time with someone who is trying hard to master the equipment, but you need to know when it’s a lost cause. Try to spot the dedicated employees from those who simply want the money and aren’t willing to put in an effort. The quicker you can weed out the good from the bad, the more time you’ll be able to dedicate to training the right people.

Embrace Automation and Real-Time Monitoring

When your operators are spending a lot of time fixing issues and manually changing settings, it wastes their time. Embrace automated wastewater treatment equipment that uses modern technology like real-time monitoring and adjusts settings automatically. You still need wastewater treatment plant operators, but they have a helping hand in meeting efficiency goals.

You want a system with real-time monitoring. When equipment points out problems at the exact moment they happen, it’s far more helpful than learning that something’s wrong as wastewater backs up or exits the plant before the raw sewage is properly treated. Untreated raw sewage during heavy rainfall or flooding isn’t ideal and can lead to fines. Real-time monitoring adjusts for increased flow rates and makes changes accordingly.

Computers help operators with efficiency and water treatment quality. Look for equipment that has computerized systems that can handle the routine tasks and alert the operator to potential problems before things get really bad.

Use the Sharp Biological Nutrient Removal (SharpBNR) process control system to monitor and optimize aeration rates during wastewater treatment. If more aeration is needed, the computer automatically adjusts rotor speeds. If aeration can be slower, again the computer will take care of it. SharpBNR is easily paired with SCADA to make sure water treatment processes are meeting goals. The system is designed to send out alerts and alarms as warnings of issues to make sure nothing gets overlooked.

Upgrade to Low-Maintenance Equipment

It’s a good time to look at upgrading older equipment with equipment that doesn’t require the same amount of maintenance. You’ll save money on maintenance, have less downtime, and increase productivity. Your maintenance team may not need to be as heavily staffed, and you’ll be able to transfer workers to other areas where they’re needed.

Start with the screw pumps. Depending on your plant’s size, you may need to save space with a Type C Enclosed Screw Pump. If you have plenty of space, an Open Screw Pump may work better. Your key consideration needs to be clog-free designs that improve efficiency.

Screening products are another component in wastewater treatment plant efficiency. The Raptor Multi-Rake Bar Screen uses a set of rakes to get into the screen’s openings to remove debris quickly and completely. This system is designed to be low maintenance and goes into reverse to free up jams.

Those are good places to start. Look at your list of current wastewater treatment equipment and see what’s older and going through frequent repairs. Upgrading that equipment is ideal. If it’s simply not in the budget, replacing worn parts is the second-best option. Energy-efficient motors and pumps will make a difference.

Partner With an Expert

When it’s decided that you should upgrade or replace equipment, select engineers and installers who will make sure your system meets your budget and exact needs. Choose your partner in wastewater treatment upgrades carefully. You need to balance costs with expertise, and some companies just don’t have the same experience as others.

Have you considered having experts walk through your wastewater treatment plant and offer suggestions for optimizing your system? It’s a good place to start. Lakeside Equipment’s engineers design efficient, cost-effective systems that are customized to a client’s needs.

Lakeside Equipment’s foundations go back 92 years. Our experts have helped communities across the U.S. plan, engineer, and maintain their water treatment systems. We provide quality wastewater treatment equipment that’s designed to meet your budget and operation goals. Give us a call to discuss your needs.

Wastewater treatment plants are there to clean and purify water that arrives through sewer lines, septage haulers, etc. The process removes bacteria, solids, and other impurities until the water is clean enough to go back into the district’s water supply or get released into area bodies of water.

What about pharmaceuticals? Can wastewater treatment plants remove pharmaceuticals before the water returns to public water sources, lakes, streams, and other water sources? Studies show that many drugs end up in treated water even after a normal treatment process.

Wastewater Treatment May Not Remove Everything

In a month’s time, it’s estimated that close to 46% of Americans have taken at least one prescription drug. As you get older, chronic health conditions are more likely. Around 85% of American’s aging adults (60 or older) take medications daily. Adults aren’t alone. It’s found that about 18% of children 12 or younger take at least one prescription medication.

You probably take vitamins, herbal remedies, over-the-counter meds, and/or prescriptions on a daily basis and never stop to think about the impact they have on wastewater. Pharmaceutical plants and the liquid manure from livestock treated with veterinary pharmaceuticals that gets spread on fields aren’t the only cause of these compounds getting into groundwater and streams.

The reality is that the medications people take also find their way into your wastewater. They’re excreted through fecal matter and urine or expired or unneeded pills are flushed down drains or toilets. The wastewater treatment process does what it can to remove them. The problem is that water treatment can’t get all of the drugs out of the water.

A study looked at the wastewater from 50 of the nation’s wastewater treatment plants. Pharmaceuticals were found in all 50 samples. Valsartan (blood pressure medication) had the highest levels, but atenolol (blood pressure), carbamazepine (epilepsy), and metoprolol (heart/beta-blocker) were also found in high levels. While it’s uncertain the levels remaining after the water is cleaned is dangerous to humans, questions arose as to whether the drugs would harm aquatic animals.

In 2020, a University of Cincinnati biologist decided to look at the effects of estrogen (birth control pills) on freshwater fish. As estrogen had been found in streams near wastewater treatment plants, the study looked to see what would happen if native fish were exposed.

In the study, the researchers focused on a native fish that has live births rather than lay eggs. They put them in fresh water that contained a controlled level of estrogen. The fishes’ fertility was affected and fewer babies, especially males, were born to the fish in the study. The shocking thing is that the researchers had used levels of estrogen that were 16 times lower than was found in the streams.

Many people today take antidepressants. How well is wastewater treatment removing antidepressants? Researchers took a look at the tissue of fish found upstream from two wastewater treatment plants in Colorado and Iowa. Fish found upstream showed no signs of antidepressants.

They also collected fish five miles downstream of where the same wastewater treatment plants were releasing treated water. Those fish had noticeable levels of common antidepressants like fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Xanax). The water samples also tested positive for containing those and bupropion (Wellbutrin), citalopram (Celexa), and venlafaxine (Effexor XR).

What about antibiotics? One of the first was penicillin, but science advanced and many of today’s antibiotics are synthetics like sulfonamides or semi-synthetics like amoxicillin. A study of water within the Great Lakes found that wastewater contained several pharmaceuticals including two antibiotics.

So many medications are being found in water that’s been treated and released to streams, rivers, lakes, and ponds. They’re making their way into the oceans. It’s shown that the drugs can impact fish, mammals, crustaceans, shellfish, and other aquatic creatures.

Federal Regulations on Wastewater Treatment Don’t Cover Pharmaceuticals

The Federal Government maintains a list of chemicals, metals, and other contaminants that must be removed from wastewater before it’s released. Pharmaceuticals are not on that list. While attention is being raised, only four compounds found in pharmaceuticals for human use are even being considered. Three of them are in birth control pills and one is an antibiotic.

This is concerning as a 2007 study tested for 17 different pharmaceuticals in samples taken from 20 different municipal water systems. More than 50% of the water samples tested positive for carbamazepine (anticonvulsant), ibuprofen (NSAID pain reliever), iopromide (contrast agent for scans of the body), meprobamate (tranquilizer), and phenytoin (anticonvulsant).

A second in-depth study went back and found meprobamate and phenytoin in 50% of the samples. While the levels were too low to impact humans, it does raise concerns on how these medications affect fish and other aquatic creatures.

Many wastewater treatment plants are already removing pharmaceuticals, but only a percentage is removed through typical wastewater treatment plans. There’s still a percentage making it into the water. Which leads to the question of what else can be done.

What Steps Help Remove Pharmaceuticals?

How well wastewater treatment removes pharmaceuticals depends on what system a district uses. Activated sludge is one of the more common treatment processes. It uses microorganisms to break down contaminants. It’s not overly effective on pharmaceuticals. Dr. Diana Aga, a chemistry professor, says more pharmaceuticals would be removed if wastewater treatment plants paired activated sludge with granular activated carbon filters.

What steps in water treatment help remove the medications people take? A study looked at the different water treatment steps and whether or not they were partly effective at removing certain medications.

• Anabolics/Steroids – Reverse osmosis was most effective, but nanofiltration, ozonation, and granular activated carbon was also useful.
• Antibiotics – Ultrafiltration with powdered activated carbon and reverse osmosis were effective.
• Carbamazepine (Anticonvulsant) – Ultrafiltration with powdered activated carbon and reverse osmosis were the most effective treatment methods.
• Diazepam (Sedative) – Reverse osmosis was the most effective with ultrafiltration using powdered activated carbon as a second-best choice.
• Diclofenac and Ibuprofen (NSAID) – Reverse osmosis and soil aquifer treatments were the best options, and granular activated carbon filters also worked well on
• Paracetamol (Tylenol) – Ozonation and reverse osmosis were the most effective ways to remove this pain reliever from wastewater.

There is a lot of evidence in filtration being the best way to remove pharmaceuticals. Your wastewater treatment plant can help get pharmaceuticals out of the wastewater that’s treated and released. What is your plant’s design? Have you set up a system that pairs activated sludge with some form of carbon filtration? Maybe it’s time to consider a change that helps keep pharmaceuticals out of the water while also improving your plant’s expenditures.

Is it time to upgrade your wastewater treatment equipment? If you’re looking to clean wastewater effectively and efficiently, modernizing some equipment can help improve your plant’s performance while lowering electricity costs. Your district saves money, which makes everyone happy.

Lakeside Equipment has been a leader in water purification for close to a century. Talk to us about our Learn more about the steps to take for cleaner water and lower energy costs.

The wastewater you treat contains more than organic materials. Cinders, gravel, sand, and other heavier solids are also found in wastewater. This grit must be removed if you’re going to prevent clogged piping and abrasive damage to the equipment. If grit isn’t removed, it moves on to aeration tanks and digesters where it impedes the treatment process.

Grit Removal Methods

You have wastewater to clean and grit removal is one of the first steps towards clean water. What are your options? Several methods are available for grit removal. Take a look at the options you’ll encounter when discussing the equipment for your water treatment plant.

Aerated Grit Chambers

In an aerated grit chamber, air is pumped in on one side, which forces incoming wastewater into a spiral flow. As the water flows, the heavier grit falls to the bottom of that tank while lighter organic materials and water continue to the exit. Energy use is higher with an aerated grit chamber. Maintenance costs can also be higher in this type of system.

Detritus Tanks

Detritus tanks are square in design and have to be followed with grit washing to remove the organic materials that get trapped in the grit that’s removed. Augers and rakes are typically used to remove the grit, which means electricity will be running and driving up energy consumption. The rake arm can also agitate the wastewater and stir up some grit and lead to some of it escaping as wastewater flows out. It’s also harder to control flow rates when you use a detritus tank.

Horizontal Flow

Horizontal flow grit chambers are one of the older types you’ll come across. Wastewater enters the horizontal chamber and flows through several small dam-like areas (weirs) that trap grit while the water keeps moving from one area to the next. Grit is removed using scrapers. Flow rates can be harder to control with this system, and headloss is also a concern. The equipment may wear faster, too.

Hydrocyclones

Hydrocyclone systems find wastewater being pumped into the grit chamber and the cyclone force traps the grit and solids on the sides and bottom where they’re removed. The benefit is that both grit and solids are removed at the same time. If you do not screen wastewater before the grit removal process, the hydrocyclone system will run into issues with solids like plastics, rags, and sticks.

Stacked Trays

Some water treatment plants use stacked trays. This system has several trays stacked in a round chamber. Water comes in at the top and circulates over each of these trays. Grit falls to the bottom chamber while the water flows out the other side. Grit is then removed from that lower chamber. While stacked tray systems do not always need electricity, they can be cost-effective, but the depth of the system requires excavation that can be costly. Headloss can also be a concern.

Vortex Systems

Vortex grit removal technology may seem similar, but it’s not. There are differences in technology that you need to consider to ensure you’re getting optimal grit removal and efficiency. One area where vortex grit removal is similar is that wastewater flows into a circular tank. With that tank is a mechanical rotor that creates a vortex that can slow down or speed up depending on flow rates.

Paddles rotate to stabilize the flow velocity. This keeps organic particles suspended within the wastewater while heavier particles of grit sink to the floor. At floor level, the vortex pushes grit to the center where it moves into a grit hopper. From there, it travels to the grit classifier by being pumped, airlifted, or pushed out through an impeller. Grit is washed in the grit classifier to remove any remaining organics. The final step is to move it to trucks, hoppers, or dumpsters where it goes to a disposal facility or landfill.

Vortex systems are popular due to the space that’s needed for installation, the effectiveness, and the overall cost. You should put a vortex grit chamber at the top of your list.

How Effective Are Vortex Grit Chambers?

You’ve narrowed down your choices for vortex grit removal systems. Two of the leading options are the Smith & Loveless Pista Grit Removal System and Lakeside Equipment SpiraGrit^® Vortex Grit Removal System. The Smith & Loveless Pista Grit comes in several models that are capable of removing up to 95% of the grit in your wastewater. Pista Grit uses a hydraulic design with a flat chamber floor and propeller that creates the vortex. This propeller doesn’t require a lot of energy, so it can be a cost-effective grit removal system. You choose if you want the system to be baffled or not.

Lakeside Equipment’s SpiraGrit^® Vortex Grit Removal System allows you to choose a few things. It’s also an energy-efficient model where it adapts to a range of daily flow rates. Paddles keep the vortex flow moving steadily, so organics float to the top while heavier grit moves downward to the bottom where it falls into a grit hopper and is pumped out using a self-priming pump, airlift pump, or impeller. At that point, you can have the grit move to Lakeside Equipment’s Grit Classifier or the Raptor^® Grit Washer as the next step.

Why is the Lakeside SpiraGrit^® Vortex Grit Removal System the Ideal Choice?

Lakeside’s SpiraGrit^® Vortex Grit Removal System has one of the highest removal efficiencies on the market. It doesn’t matter what the flow rate is, this grit removal system does an exceptional job in a compact size. Head loss rates for the SpiraGrit^® Vortex Grit Removal System are also low. You don’t need a lot of space for the SpiraGrit^®  Vortex Grit Removal System. It’s designed to be efficient and compact. It’s also designed to separate grit and perform dewatering at the same time, which adds to the efficiency.

If you’re worried about high maintenance costs, don’t worry. There are no submerged bearings. This grit removal system is easy to maintain. You can also have the SpiraGrit^® Vortex Grit Removal System crafted from stainless steel to prevent corrosion.

A Headworks Packaged System Covers Everything You Need

With Lakeside’s H-PAC system, you get the SpiraGrit^® Vortex Grit Chamber within a full headworks system that’s capable of flow rates of up to 12 million gallons per day. Start with the Raptor^® Screen that removes, washes, and dewaters items it captures on the screens. From there, the pre-screened wastewater enters the grit chamber where fine particles of grit are removed. This protects equipment used later in the wastewater treatment process.

For more than 90 years, Lakeside Equipment has provided solutions for treatment plant designers and engineers. Lakeside’s experience with water purification and water treatment processes cannot be matched. Our engineers will design a system that meets your needs and matches your budget. Our goal is to design a system that is built to last, and should you ever need parts, we have a stellar parts department who are happy to help you.

Choose Lakeside’s H-PAC^® system with the SpiraGrit^® Vortex Grit Chamber for a cost-effective, highly efficient grit removal system. It doesn’t require a lot of space, so you don’t have to worry about having a lot of room available for your grit removal needs. For more information on how you can achieve Lakeside quality and performance, contact one of our experts at 630-837-5640, email us at sales@lakeside-equipmnet.com or visit our website www.lakeside-equipment.com