Wastewater pumps typically convey heavily contaminated water containing solid particles of various organic, inorganic and mineral origin. Non-self-priming, single-stage pumps are generally preferred. They are fully submerged in the fluid being handled. Wear-resistant mechanical seals are used for sealing.
Typical applications are the food processing, construction, pulp and paper, sugar and metal industries (e.g. metal electrolysis), as well as the mining and water extraction industries (e.g. cooling water, seawater desalination). Because requirements differ significantly, a distinction is made between municipal (domestic) and industrial wastewater pumps. Municipal wastewater pumps, also known as sewage pumps, handle raw sewage, mechanically treated wastewater from treatment tanks, sludge (e.g. activated, raw, digested and return activated sludge) and rainwater.
Industrial wastewater pumps, on the other hand, handle a very wide range of fluids. These fluids may be domestic wastewater, or they may contain chemical or industrial waste mixed with production residues. These fluids can sometimes be highly aggressive or abrasive. For this reason, the pump casing is made of particularly wear-resistant materials and can be fitted with easily replaceable casing wear rings or wear plates.
Wastewater pumps can be horizontal or vertical shaft designs, though submersible pumps that operate fully immersed in the fluid are often preferred. KSB's Sewatec model can be used as a dry-installed, above-ground wastewater pump with an open impeller, while the Amarex KRT model is a submersible wastewater pump that operates fully submerged in the liquid.
Source: KSB Global
