Anti-jam software helps drive energy savings

Severn Trent Water (STW) is reported to be saving around £100,000 per year on energy costs thanks to the installation of ABB variable speed drives at its Wanlip Sewage Treatment Works.

STW was suffering low flow rates on its dry well flow pumps, with typical rates being less than 400L/s against a design of 550L/s. This meant that under storm conditions the works was unable to achieve the rates specified under the Environment Agency's consents without the need for supplementary temporary pumping, adding to operating costs.

To solve the problem Sentridge Control, a member of the ABB Drives Alliance suggested installing 75kW ABB industrial drives on all the pumps, each equipped with ABB Anti-Jam software, part of its Intelligent Pump Control (IPC) software.

The Anti-Jam software module performs a number of cleaning cycles every time the pump starts.

Each cycle consists of a series of rapid ramp ups in both forward and reverse directions and removes the debris from around the pump volute, preventing it from entering the pump and blocking it.