Company Unveils New Wet Well Mounted Pump Station

The new Formula X Wet Well Mounted Pump Station by Smith & Loveless Inc. offers a variety of innovations to the wastewater pump station marketplace, including complete above-ground access to the station's pumps, motors, controls and valves for maintenance and inspections. The design virtually eliminates confined space entry issues for routine maintenance.

Automation is provided by the company's Protronix™ Controller. This new microprocessor-based system controls the entire station operation, including the pumps, motor starters, environmental system, accessories, panel display unit, and alarm functions through isolated digital and analog input and output ports. The controller interfaces with the station's wet well pressure transducer system, a standard station component that monitors the liquid level in the wet well. A backup float system is also included.

The pump station features a two-piece, rolling fiberglass cover that provides easy access to the pumps.

The Protronix Controller features a display interface that comes standard as a two line by 20 character backlit liquid crystal display with pre-programmed function keys and keys for data input and scrolling. An optional 5.7 inch graphic interface with 256 color liquid crystal display and resistive type touch screen for data input is optional. All control equipment is mounted in a NEMA Type 4 steel enclosure with piano hinged, lockable doors. Components within the control panel are UL listed or recognized, and the complete station control panel bears UL 508 certification.

The pump and piping assemblies are all mounted to a 1/2 inch-thick base. The rigid base provides stability for pump support and is coated with patented Versapox® epoxy and other finish for added protection and abrasion resistance. Additional mountings are provided for installation of optional components added after the station is operational.

Pumps are arranged so that the rotating element can be removed from the casing without disconnecting the electrical wiring or disassembling the motor, impeller, backhead or seal. This aids service personnel in the removal of any foreign object from the pump or suction line.

On the exterior, the Formula X features a new compact design, low noise level and modern appearance, helping maintain a low profile in any environment. Its newly styled fiberglass enclosure features a UV-resistant, light slate green gel coating that blends well with natural surroundings. A drip-lip around the split enclosure channels rainwater away from the station. Extruded aluminum adjustable ventilating louvers are standard, provided on each end for ventilation. They can be closed during cold weather operation.

The enclosure design also addresses important issues for operator safety and convenience. It now contains a convenient entry and opening mechanism for access to the pumps and control panel display. The enclosure design is a two-piece, rolling fiberglass cover with a thick gasket at the joint between the sections. Its horizontal opening design eliminates lifting loads and minimizes the effects of wind forces during opening and closing. Polyurethane wheels with solid stainless steel components and anodized aluminum track are standard for low friction opening. No lubrication is necessary.

The cover's design only requires one side to be open for full access to the control panel display and to observe station operation. For 360 degree access to motors, pumps and controls — even while the station is in operation — both sides of the cover can be removed in seconds without the use of tools or hoisting equipment.

Operators also have wet well access with a minimum opening of 4.2 square feet. The flip-open wet well manway access cover features a new, split, reinforced plate design so that one side can be open while the other remains flat, providing a stable platform when observing the wet well. The cover is mounted with a stainless steel, full-length piano hinge that has tamper resistant screws.

The pump station uses heavy-duty Smith & Loveless Pumps. Able to pass 3-inch diameter objects, these cast iron, close-coupled, non-clog, vertical pumps handle pumping capacities from 50 gpm up to 1,300 gpm at a maximum 158 foot TDH.

Pump features include: an exclusive mechanical seal and bronze seal housing design, offering one of the longest life spans on the market, and an oversized solid stainless steel shaft with oversized shielded bearings. To minimize seal wear, the shaft from the top of the impeller to the lower bearing supporting the impeller measures a minimum diameter of 1 7/8 inches, which is significantly larger than the industry norm. A larger shaft and shorter overhang consisting entirely of stainless steel is the key to corrosion resistance and heavier, less deflection, and more rigid construction throughout the pump; impellers are trimmed individually to design capacity with full-diameter shrouds that prevent seal wear and shaft binding. The impeller is keyed to the tapered shaft for removal.

For extreme pumping applications (high-solids, low-flow where excessive amounts of stringy material are collected), a new mono-port pump impeller, X-Peller™, can be provided in Formula X pumps. Dynamically balanced without the use of balance weights or liquid filled chambers, the X-Peller is an enhanced clog-resistant impeller that minimizes the buildup of stringy materials, solids and other foreign particles around the impeller vanes. It is designed to allow for trimming to meet design condition changes without altering the balance.

Backed with a 10-year pro-rated warranty on the station's main pumps, fiberglass enclosure and base, the station is factory-built and tested in a quality-controlled environment prior to shipping to the job site. It comes complete with powerful standard components, including the Smith & Loveless (4 or 6 inch) centrifugal pumps; valves; piping; Protronix Controller; level transducer; heater; ventilating blower; and all internal wiring. WW/