Chopping: Solving the Problem of Solids in Wastewater

Wastewater contains a mix of liquids and various solids, from rags and sanitary wipes to organic waste and other debris. These solids create significant problems for wastewater systems, leading to clogs, breakdowns, and costly downtime. At Hayes Group, we know that dealing with these solids is one of the biggest challenges in wastewater management.

Challenges of Solids on Wastewater Equipment

Common wastewater equipment, such as pumps, valves, and piping, is often ill-equipped to handle the tough, stringy, and abrasive nature of solids. Pumps can get tangled and clogged, causing them to fail or operate inefficiently. Valves can become jammed, preventing proper flow control. Over time, solids can also cause significant wear and tear on pipes and other components.

The Solution: Chopping Solids

One effective way to manage solids is to chop them into smaller, more manageable pieces. Similar to other methods of breaking down solids, chopping must be considered within the context of how the solids will be handled by downstream equipment. Chopping helps reduce the size of solids, making them easier for equipment to work without clogging.

How a Chopper Pump Works

A chopper pump is specifically designed to handle solids by chopping them before they enter the pump's impeller. These pumps feature a cutter bar/impeller interface that is engineered to break solids apart. As wastewater enters the pump, all solids are forced to pass through this unique interface. The impeller acts as a cutting tool, rotating against the fixed cutter bar. This action forcefully chops and shreds the solids into smaller pieces.

The result of this chopping action is a non-uniform size of solids. Unlike grinders that produce a consistent particle size, chopper pumps create a mix of smaller, shredded pieces. These smaller solids are then able to pass through the pump's impeller and be discharged downstream, effectively preventing clogs.

Here’s how it works: Wastewater containing solids approaches the pump. These solids are drawn into the chopper pump, where they are forced through the cutter bar/impeller interface. The powerful chopping action of the impeller rotating against the fixed cutter bar breaks the solids down into smaller, manageable pieces. These can then be safely pumped downstream.

Chopper Pumps: A Summary

Chopper pumps are an effective way to decrease the size of solids before the are pumped downstream in wastewater. Utilizing a unique interface where the impeller rotates against a cutter bar, solids are chopped into smaller pieces. By reducing solids to a manageable size, chopper pump technology recommended and supplied by Hayes Group ensures the entire system operates smoothly and efficiently, even when dealing with the toughest materials.