MAINTAINING GARBAGE REMOVAL SCREENS
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Advances in screening technologies have been driven by the need to protect increasingly sophisticated downstream equipment by capturing and removing floating debris. Routine maintenance can dramatically improve water and wastewater treatment plant system processes.
Water and Wastewater treatment plants worldwide are being asked to do more with less these days. This increased pressure creates many challenges for operators, as they’re tasked with maintaining customer satisfaction and keeping facilities with sophisticated processes running optimally day and night. The ability to screen large debris and fine particulates is vital to protecting a municipality’s downstream
water and wastewater treatment equipment.
Modern screening technologies have made significant advancements during the last 50 years. For water treatment, coarse and fine screening helps to protect pumps, filters, membranes, and other equipment. Similarly, a wastewater plant’s headworks system is vital to treatment processes and the first line of defense for reducing maintenance throughout the system.
SCREEN MAINTENANCE NOW SAVES TIME LATER
All screen types (step, bar, spiral, drum, and traveling band screens) need to be properly maintained. For plants with reduced staff, it’s easy to reduce the time spent on equipment maintenance to focus on other priorities. However, this approach often leads to bigger headaches and even more time spent on maintenance and repair later because of inefficient equipment operation—or worse, equipment failure.
The benefits of routine equipment maintenance can’t be overstated. With a regular maintenance plan, treatment plants can keep their processes operating at optimal levels and often reduce the total time spent on maintenance. Routine screen maintenance improves the performance and life span of the screening systems as well as the entire treatment plant system through improved operational efficiencies, lower energy and maintenance costs, and reduced maintenance or replacement of downstream processes.
Clarifiers, digesters, aerators, ultraviolet light disinfection units, membrane technologies, and other systems maintain optimal performance with a properly maintained screening system in front of them. Regardless of the manufacturer or type of screen being implemented in the process, extending the life of that equipment through regular maintenance will yield major dividends.
Fortunately, regular maintenance doesn’t have to be a hassle. Operators should always follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule for any piece of equipment. Also, consider the routine wear and maintenance items to ensure optimal performance
throughout the service life of each of the treatment components.
TOUCH BASE WITH THE MANUFACTURER
It’s a good idea to have a ready supply of commonly used replacement parts to efficiently maintain equipment. Parts to consider keeping on hand could include brushes, wiper blades, grid panels, and spray nozzles. Contact your equipment’s manufacturer for a list of recommended spare parts and understand lead times necessary to fulfill orders if the manufacturer doesn’t stock spare parts. Local distributors may also stock common replacement parts.
Many manufacturers of headworks equipment offer service plans that allow for routine maintenance to be done by a factory-trained service technician. Understanding that many municipalities are struggling with tight budgets, these service plans should be considered at the time of purchase. The value added by service via the manufacturer is well worth the investment to maximize the life of the purchase.
Routine maintenance is like working out or any other good habit. Once you start to see results, you’ll wonder why you didn’t start sooner. With small investments of time on a regular basis, the payoff in improved operational efficiencies and cost savings will be dramatic!
ALL SCREENS
Clogging and corrosion are the principal problems associated with screening. Preventing these problems requires routine cleaning and inspection. Consider the following guidelines:
inspect equipment regularly to catch potential problems early.
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Grease all bearings with the manufacturer’s
recommended lubricant. -
Inspect drive motor and gear reducers to make sure they’re venting properly and don’t leak fluids. Regularly lubricate.
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Inspect control equipment on all local stations and the main control panel for corrosion and loose wires.
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Test and record all voltage and amp draws from each motor. Record all readings and review against previous recordings.
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Check timers, variable speeds, differential level sensors, and other programs to ensure they’re functioning properly.
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Replace submerged sprockets and bearings (if applicable) as needed over time. Submerged components should be inspected and cleaned any time the channel is drained.
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Inspect level sensing systems regularly. Transducers and floats need to be cleared of any debris that would negatively affect performance.
BAR SCREENS
Inspect and clean rake teeth to help minimize bent or broken teeth.
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Lubricate the rack-and-pinion gear on single-arm bar screens.
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Inspect and clean the chain on multirake screens, which tends to easily foul with rags and debris.
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Inspect and clean rake teeth, a common
maintenance item. Bent or broken teeth will prevent the rake from properly engaging
with the rack and potentially damage the screen. -
Inspect wiper blades regularly for significant
fouling and damage. Lubricate and replace as necessary. -
Inspect lower and upper tracks to identify issues that may cause wear to the tracks before a significant problem develops.
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Ensure drives with chains are kept tensioned and lubricated.
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Inspect stationary bar racks for heavy debris that’s not being cleared with the unloading mechanism.
STEP SCREENS
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Inspect the lamella for signs of wear and damage.
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Ensure the bottom of the grid is free of rocks or other debris, as this can cause significant damage to the moving lamella.
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Inspect and clean the top of the screen, as ragging in the unloading area is common.
The filter grid on step screens can be easily bent and damaged, so regularly inspect the lamella.
CÔNG TY TNHH CAMIX
34 - 36, Đường 57A, P.Tân Tạo, Q.Bình Tân, Tp.HCM
Tel: (028) 3601 5966 - Fax: (028) 5407 3938 - Email: info@camix.com.vn
Hotline: 0903.318.778 (Ms.Phuong Linh) - 0976.164.441 (Mr.Anh Khoa)
