While the level transmitter is small, it is a critical component in a sewage lift or pump station to maintain system integrity and avoid spillage. Sewage lifts and pump stations are an integral part of the wastewater industry, so the need for improving technology has been vital. Level transmitters are proving to reduce maintenance and ultimately increase productivity.
History of Sewage Lift and Pump Stations
The sewage Lift or Pump Stations aim to move sewage from one level to a higher elevation. Within the last few years, the level transmitter has had severe development. The installation costs of a lift or station can range from USD 150,000 to USD 1.5 million based on capacity and complexity. So, the technology to make the industry more productive and efficient is critical.
The Level Sensor Technology
The level sensor gives the pump feedback on when to switch on and off. While there are many technologies for measuring, it is about finding a cost-effective solution. Submerged hydrostatic pressure transmitters can withstand environmental conditions and provide continuous monitoring. They also are at a better price point and have long-term reliability.
PMC Engineering saw the need for better technology and developed dedicated sensors, especially for this application. They designed the features into this level/pressure transmitter to overcome the challenges facing sewage lift stations.
The PMC Solution
Many lift stations are located in inaccessible places, which makes reliability a requirement. The design needs to be clean with high-integrity seals. Due to the nature of the effluent, it must expose the sensing element to avoid clogging.
The technology also provides a very high overpressure of at least three times the rated range, with no sensor performance degradation. This protects the transmitter against damage due to overflow or back pressures.
The electrical connection is another design feature that PMC took into account. Avoiding O-rings is essential because they will generally overflow over time. The most reliable solution is to incorporate a customer-molded cable utilizing thick polyurethane.
The transmitter is light in weight, and when it is preferred to position the transmitter a few inches from the tank bottom, it is common to use it as a sinking weight.
Reduction in Maintenance
The cable termination is essential for several reasons. It provides a connection to the control system and the pump. It provides an outlet for the breather tube to the atmospheric pressure. This is key to ensuring the correct operation of the transmitter. It protects it from being affected by changes in barometric pressure. The cable termination must be protected from the ingress of moisture. There are many techniques for this, like desiccant within the termination enclosure, enhancing the long-term reliability of the transmitter.
PMC has developed a sealed Mylar enclosure that requires zero maintenance. It also does not rely on the use of desiccants or consumables.
SRP control systems ltd Can Help
The high integrity of a well-developed pressure transmitter provides reliable, zero maintenance, level monitoring, and pump control for the sewage lift stations. With the enhancements, PMC has made monitoring the facility more effective. SRP control systems ltd is the sole Canadian distributor of PMC equipment. If you have any questions about what will work best for your facility’s needs, we can help. Contact our engineers today.