TIME AND TIDE WAIT FOR NO MAN

By: Vaughn Mullet, retired Yamada America, Inc. and Ken Mink, retired Liquid Handling Equipment

On May 1st and 2nd of 2010, Middle and Western Tennessee experienced what was referred to as the “1,000 year flood”.  According to the National Weather Service, 13.57 inches of rainfall was measured during a 36-hour time period. The combined two-day rainfall total doubled the previous 48-hour record in Nashville history. On May 3rd at 6 p.m., the Cumberland River crested downtown, reaching a level of 51.86 feet. The Cumberland River, which runs through Nashville, was the highest level recorded since the Cumberland River dam system was built in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The previous record was 47.6 feet set on March 15, 1975.

Near the Cumberland River, a loyal Yamada® customer that manufactures galvanized plated steel shelving for the retail and manufacturing market, prepared for the worse; but hoped for a less likely chance their facility would be affected by the flood.  At the time, they had 9 each NDP-80BPS pumps in service on their galvanizing line.  They were extremely pleased with the 3″ pumps performance. 

Yamada 3″ NDP-80 Polypropylene pump

With the impending rains and floods, the customer was forced to evacuate their facility.  It would be another two weeks before they could get back to the facility to assess the situation and any possible damage.  Their main concern was getting their vital galvanizing line buck up to speed as quickly as possible.  They were astounded to find that all 9 Yamada pumps had been completely submerged by the flood waters for nearly two full weeks.  The customer wasn’t certain if any of the pumps would perform and may have been damaged after being under muddy water for such a long period of time.

With some hope and trepidation, compressed air was applied to the pumps and …. all nine pumps started immediately, without any delay!

As I think back on this story, it reminds me of the “torture test” advertisements used in the old Timex® watch TV ads made popular by newscaster, John Cameron Swayze, who hosted the spots.

A number of these ads subjected the watches to a myriad  of trials. For over 20 years, well into the 1970s, Swayze appeared in the advertising series with one kind of Timex watch or another being subject to various physical challenges to prove their durability, shock resistance, and/or superior waterproofing.  In showing the durability of the watch he stated, “It takes a licking and keeps on ticking.”

Yamada’s slogan states that “The Proof’s in the Pump®”  and in my experience over the years, I have seen Yamada outlast and outperform the competitor’s pumps.  So, if I could add my own little catch phrase, “Yamada pumps take a thumping but keeps on pumping!”

TIMEX is a registered trademark of Timex Group USA, Inc.

DAF SYSTEM IN MEAT PROCESSING IS A GOOD FIT FOR YAMADA

By Vaughn Mullet

Meat processing facilities, such as the poultry industry, produce wastewater with heavy loads of fats, oils, grease and solids. Before sending that water down the sewer drain, pre-treatment is required to remove as much of these solids and oils as possible. Removing these contaminants is simple with the proper designed DAF system. Yamada Pumps have been able to fill a “niche” in these systems, enabling better handling of the waste.

What is a DAF system?

Dissolved Air Flotation Systems (DAF) is a water treatment process that clarifies wastewater through the removal of suspended matter, such as, oil, greases or solids. The removal is achieved by dissolving air in the water or wastewater under pressure and then releasing the air at atmospheric pressure in a flotation tank or basin. The released air forms tiny bubbles which adhere to the suspended matter, casing the suspended matter to float to the surface of the water, where it may then be removed by a skimming device.

Pumps for handling DAF sludge.

A multitude of positive displacement pumps have been used to transfer the DAF sludge; however, recently AODD (Air-Operated Double Diaphragm) pumps have become an option. Their ability to handle the viscous sludge and the ability to run dry without damage enables the pump to continue to run as the hopper empties. Conventional ball valve design AODD pumps (with bottom suction, top discharge) constructed in Aluminum with TPO or Buna N elastomers, were previously used. In poultry fresh (kill) plants, pieces of debris from the wash down would hang up the ball check valves, requiring regular tear down for cleaning. This would require the conventional AODD pump to be removed from service and completely tore down in order to clean out the ball check areas.

Step in SolidPRO Pump!

Because the SolidPRO pump is designed to handle solids up to 2-inches and easy clean-out ports, it has quickly gained recognition as the preferred solids pump for DAF sludge.

SolidPRO pump installed at a plant.
Watch the SolidPRO pump used at a chicken processing plant.

Easy Clean-out Ports!

The SolidPRO clean-out cover plates enable access to the flapper check valves for easy flushing or cleaning.

SolidPRO valve plates for easy access.
SolidPRO valve plates for easy clean-out.

Waste sludge from the DAF system that does not have suspended solids can be transferred to a “plate and frame” filter press. The Yamada pump is another perfect fit when compressing solids with minimal energy usage.

Yamada pump used in a filter press.

Yamada has quickly become the pump of choice within the poultry and meat processing industry. Either handling the sludge off the dissolved air flotation unit, compressing sludge in the filter press, or transferring solid laden sludges to be a transport carrier, there’s a Yamada pump to fit into any waste water DAF system.

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