BettaPork Piggery has been breeding pigs for over 30 years. A mid-size enterprise, the piggery raises the animals and then sells them to market.
As part of the piggery’s recycling philosophy, all pig waste is collected and broken down before being used as fertiliser on the grounds and turned into Bio gas to power the farm
‘We collect the pig waste in what we call sump pits,’ explained Paul Brosnan, Owner/ Director of BettaPork Piggery. ‘The effluent is then pumped from the sump up to a holding dam. It then moves progressively through a series of processes before the effluent is eventually ready to be pumped into Bio Gas holding tanks to collect the Bio Gas.
‘We collect the pig waste in what we call sump pits.’
The Problem
To move the pig waste from the sump to the holding tanks, the piggery was using a few different types of pumps including submersibles. Located in the effluent pit, and needing a chain and lifting device to raise to the surface, these pumps were proving increasingly inefficient and costly to maintain.
‘After we bought the submersible pumps, we quickly discovered that they have a very fine tolerance. The suction inlet / impeller started to block continuously and the pumps would run dry, resulting in the internals of the pump to wear and need replacing on a regular basis.
The Solution
Paul started to search for a more efficient solution. Coincidentally, Paul works closely with a local business who use a number of Gorman Rupp pumps in their processes, and highly recommended the brand. Paul contacted Hydro Innovations [Authorised Australian distributor for Gorman-Rupp pumps] for a solution to issues he had with the current pumps he had been using.
‘Having purchased and used a series of pumps including submersible ones in the past, we didn’t want to spend any more money on pumps that could not do the job. So, it was great coming across a supplier who was happy to stand by their product and prove it was the right pump for the job,’ said Paul
After reviewing the piggery’s requirements, Hydro Innovations suggested that Paul install a Gorman-Rupp T6A60S-B wastewater pump fitted with a 7.5kW motor – a packaged unit that would provide both the flow and the pressure that Paul needed.
According to Garry Grant, General Manager of Hydro Innovations, the Gorman-Rupp T6A60S-B is a rugged and reliable self-priming centrifugal solids-handling pump. Very easy to maintain, the pump is capable of handling a 3” solid [so it will pump a cricket ball] as well as stringy materials. In addition, if any choking does occur, the pump can be easily and quickly unclogged via the light-weight removable cover plate.
The design of the pump also allows users to adjust the clearance externally [in minutes] to ensure optimum performance without having to remove the pump from the system or open it. For major services, the removable rotating assembly can be replaced by simply loosening four bolts from the drive end of the pump, eliminating the need to disturb the pump casing or piping.
The Results
According to Paul, ‘Within a few months of having the pump installed at the piggery we knew that it was capable. It moves more liquid than the previous pump and it’s extremely easy to maintain, which for me, is the major bonus. The open impeller design makes it very simple to remove any blockages. You only have to loosen two bolts to get inside the pump and clear it, which only 15 minutes.”
‘And of course, an added bonus is that we no longer have to waste money purchasing constant number of parts due to break downs” Paul added.
So impressed was Paul with the performance of the Gorman-Rupp T6A60S-B that he purchased a second pump and is now considering a third.
The Pumps
Gorman-Rupp pumps are heavily used in the food process industry, particularly by those companies that don’t compromise on safety and reliability. Because they are surface mounted, operators can access them easily for monitoring and maintenance, and because they are cast, machined, assembled and tested in the USA, reliability, performance and parts support is guaranteed.
- Ability to mount high and dry above the wet well (not in it)
- Low cost of ownership
- Greatly reduced OH&S issues
- Easy access for monitoring or service
- Advanced safety features to protect operators
- Improved maintenance features to greatly reduce maintenance time and costs, with removable rotating assembly
- A variety of materials of construction to handle abrasive and/or corrosive fluids
- New Eradicator Solids Management System
More information on these pumps may be obtained from Hydro Innovations on 02 9898 1800 or info@HydroInnovations.com.au