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PSD 157

Sumps and Ejectors

Continuing Education from Plumbing Systems & Design

MAY 2009

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CONTINUING EDUCATION

Sumps and Ejectors

When the receiving basin collects the discharge of sanitary wastes, it is called an ejector basin and the automatic lifting and discharge equipment is called an ejector pump. When the wastes received are storm water and other clear water discharges, it is called a sump basin and the lifting and discharge equipment a sump pump. Confusion has been created in many codes and technical articles by loose terminology and not making a clear distinction between ejectors and sumps. An ejector handles sewage and a sump handles clear water.

Sump pumps are sometimes called bilge pumps. Ejectors and/or sumps for large projects are called lift stations. Thus, an ejector will be called a sewage lift station and a sump pump will be called a storm water lift station.

When centrifugal pumps are utilized, several installation choices are available: 1. Submersible motor and pump 2. Top-mounted motor with submersible pump 3. Top-mounted motor and pump 4. Dry pit.

Figures 1 through 4 illustrate each type of centrifugal pump installation.

The selection of the pneumatic-type ejector is indicated as follows: • When the discharge rate is 100 gpm or less; it may be advantageous up to 300 gpm • Where large solids must be handled • Where ground conditions are such that depth below floor is restricted.

Centrifugal pumps are very inefficient at low flows, often below 50%.

From the standpoint of safety, sump and ejector basins are often considered to be hazardous wet wells. As such, they are confined spaces into which personnel cannot safely enter unless proper safety precautions are taken. Submersible pumps and motors should be installed with a removal system. Such systems include guide rails, disconnecting pump discharge fittings, brackets, and guide plates. When included as part of the basin installation, removal systems allow the pumps to be removed from the basin without personnel entering the basin.

Ejector Basin

Operation of a Pneumatic Ejector

An ejector basin must be of airtight construction and must be vented.

It is airtight to prevent the escape of foul odors generated by the wastes from the subdrainage system. Being airtight, a vent is required to relieve the air in the basin as wastes discharge into it and also to supply air to the basin while the contents are being discharged to the sanitary gravity drainage system. A sump basin need not be airtight and therefore does not require a vent. But if it is made airtight (as required by some codes), then a vent is required.

A pneumatic ejector consists of a hermetically sealed receiver with check valves on inlet and discharge. Two rigid stainless steel electrodes of unequal length suspended in the receiver automatically control the operating cycle (other methods of control can be utilized).

The opening to the discharge line is only a few inches from the bottom of the receiver and the receiver is flushed in every cycle. There is no waste retention and no sludge accumulation. The ejector is designed to complete a cycle in 1 min. The liquid wastes are never exposed to atmosphere and no odors or gases are released from the hermetically sealed receiver.

The following diagrams and accompanying text explain the operation. In Figure 5(a), the inlet check valve is held open in the filling position by the weight of the incoming liquid, while the weight of the liquid in the lift line holds the discharge check valve closed. Notice that the exhaust valve is open, and air in the receiver is vented to the low-level manhole or other venting point.

Rising sewage in Figure 5(b) closes a circuit between the long and short electrode, energizing a relay, which starts the air compressor.

As the compressor starts, the exhaust valve is closed by air pressure from the compressor cylinder. The inlet valve is also closed, while the discharge valve is open.

Air pressure on the surface of the sewage in Figure 5(c) forces the receiver contents out through the discharge valve and up through discharge piping to the high-level gravity sewer or other point of disposal. When the sewage falls below the end of the long electrode the compressor stops, the check valve near the compressor closes, and the diaphragm exhaust valve opens to exhaust the compressed

A subdrain is that portion of a drainage system that cannot drain by gravity into the building sewer. The wastes from a subdrain flow by gravity into a receiving tank, the contents of which are automatically lifted and discharged into the gravity drainage system. If the subdrain receives wastes containing oil, gasoline, or other flammable liquids, the discharge must first go through an oil interceptor before entering the receiving basin. A subdrain should not be confused with a subsoil drain (see Chapter 7). Each serves a different purpose.

Terminology

Basin Materials The receiver, whether ejector or sump, may be constructed of cast iron, steel, fiberglass, or concrete. When a concrete basin is selected, it should be constructed by the general contractor, but the plumbing contractor should provide the frame and cover. The interior of the concrete basin must be completely waterproofed, and watertight sleeves must be provided for all pipe entries into the basin.

Cast iron or fiberglass basins are recommended for direct burial in the ground. Steel basins should never be buried unless the outside of the basin is thoroughly painted with a protective coating of bitumastic paint to prevent corrosion. Steel basins are sometimes buried in a concrete envelope or set in a concrete pit.

Lifting Devices There are two types of lifting devices employed for the automatic discharge of the contents of ejector or sump basins: 1. Centrifugal pumps 2. Pneumatic ejectors.

Reprinted from Engineered Plumbing Design II, Chapter 10: “Sumps and Ejectors” © American Society of Plumbing Engineers, 2006.

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Figure 1 Submersible motor and pump.

Figure 2 Top-mounted motor with submersible pump.

air. The inlet and discharge valve then assume the filling position for a repetition of the cycle. The compressed air can be supplied from an individual or duplex compressor selected for the exclusive operation of the pneumatic ejector, or the supply can be taken from the building central compressed air system (if available).

The difference in cost between a simplex and a duplex is usually not great enough to warrant the specifying of a simplex system. The added safety provided by a duplex system is generally worth the nominal additional expenditure.

To determine the head of the pump, add the static head and the friction head loss in the discharge piping. The static head is measured from the low water line in the receiver up to the highest point pumped. The friction head loss can be calculated by using Equation 8-7:

Ejector Pump Sizing (Centrifugal) Use the water supply fixture unit method to determine the flow into the receiver. The following example illustrates the sizing procedure.

Assume 10 flush valve-operated water closets (WC), 4 urinals (UR), 10 lavatories (Lav), 2 service sinks (SS), and 6 kitchen sinks (SK) are connected to the subdrain. As previously stated, a value of 1 gpm can be assigned for each 2 fixture units. Then:

10 WC × 10 FU 4 UR × 5 10 Lavs. × 2 2 SS × 3 6 SK × 4 170 FU

= = = = = =

100 FU 20 20 6 24 85 gpm (peak load)

The pump capacity should be at least equal to the peak inflow. If it is critical that fixtures be kept in operation at all times, then a duplex pump should be specified in lieu of a simplex so that in the case of failure of one pump the other pump can carry the load until repairs are made. Each pump in a duplex set is sized to satisfy the peak inflow.

(10-1)

fLV h = 2gD 2

where h f L D V g

= = = = = =

head loss due to friction, ft coefficient of friction length of piping, ft diameter of pipe, ft velocity of flow, ft/sec gravitation acceleration, 32.2 ft/sec2

For short runs of piping (which is usually the case), a friction head loss of 20 ft can be assumed without introducing significant error.

For runs of piping exceeding 50 ft, it is advisable to calculate the friction head loss.

The length of run is measured only from the pump outlet to the highest point. From the high point, the pipe is installed at 1⁄8 in. or MAY 2009

Plumbing Systems & Design 3

CONTINUING EDUCATION: Sumps and Ejectors

Figure 4 Dry pit.

The high water level should be maintained at least 3 in. below the invert of the entering pipe so as not to flood the subdrain piping and to provide air circulation throughout the system. The low level should always be maintained at least 6 in. above the bottom of the basin so that the suction intake of the pump is always covered by water. Verify this dimension with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Following the above parameters, the depth of the basin below the invert of the entering pipe can be determined:

3 in.

4 ft 6 in.

6 in.

4 ft 15 in.

Figure 3 Top-mounted motor with pump.

¼ in. pitch for gravity flow and thus does not impose a head on the pump. The piping from the pump to the high point should be the same size as the pump discharge outlet. From the high point to the connection with the gravity drain, the piping is sized as required for the gravity house drain. (See Table 6-5.)

below the influent invert minimum storage to cover pump suction = 5 ft 3 in.

To this 5 ft 3 in. must be added to the distance from the subdrain invert to the finished floor to obtain the total basin depth. If it is assumed that the invert elevation of the subdrain is 2 ft below the finished floor in our example, the selected basin would then be 4 ft 0 in. diameter × 7 ft 3 in. depth (5 ft 3 in. + 2 ft 0 in.).

It is good practice always to maintain a minimum depth of 3 ft below the invert of the subdrain pipe. Ejector basins should be sized so as not to retain the waste discharge for a period exceeding 12 hr.

Ejector Basin Sizing The ejector basin must be of adequate capacity to prevent excessive cycling of pumps and the resultant wear and tear on the pump and motor. A minimum of 5 min of pump capacity between high and low water levels will provide satisfactory pump cycling. Assuming the same 85 gpm flow into the receiver utilized in the previous example, then 85 × 5 min = 425 gallons minimum capacity. Utilizing a standard diameter for a duplex pump system of 4 ft, the depth of the tank is calculated as follows: .7854D2 × Depth × 7.5 gal/ft3 = gal

Depth =

425 = 4.5 ft between high and low level .7854 × 42 × 7.5

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MAY 2009

Controls For a simplex ejector pump system, level sensors start the pump at the high level and shut the pump off at the low level. A high-level alarm should always be installed to alert personnel that there is a malfunction.

For a duplex system, the controls are the same except that provision should be made for automatic alternation of pumps to maintain equal wear on each pump. In addition, the controls should be set so that if the capacity of one pump is exceeded due to some unforeseen circumstances, the second pump will be cut in to aid in carrying the load.

Level sensors can be floats, sealed pressure actuators or electrodes, or mercury switch floats. If floats are used and the basin is more than 5 ft in depth, the float rod should be enclosed to prevent binding due to bending.

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(a) Filling Position

(b) Rising Sewage

(c) Completing Cycle

Figure 5 Operation of pheumatic ejector.

Installation The criteria for design of the subdrain system up to the point of discharge into the receiver are exactly the same as those for the regular gravity drainage system, including all venting requirements. The ejector vent of the basin can be connected to the venting system for the rest of the building or it can be run independently to the atmosphere.

Criteria for design and installation are the same as those for the gravity venting system used for the rest of the building. When the ejector vent is connected to the building venting system, it is necessary to convert the gpm discharge rate to FU to determine the additional load imposed on the building system. Assign 2 FU for each gpm of pump discharge. A rule of thumb that has proved satisfactory for sizing the ejector vent is to assign a size that is one‑half the size of the subdrain discharge pipe into the basin.

A check valve and shut-off valve should always be installed in each pump discharge line. A swing check should always be used and it is recommended the weight-loaded type be specified. A weight-loaded check valve will eliminate water hammer when the pump shuts off and reverse flow occurs due to the water in the discharge piping. The shut-off valve should always be located on the discharge side of the check valve so that it can be closed and the check valve serviced.

Sump Basin Sizing The sump basin receives storm water and other clear water wastes.

Subsoil drains, because of their low elevations, are generally piped to a sump basin. A settling basin should always be provided so that sand, grit, and other deleterious material that could cause damage to the sump pump is settled out before entering the sump basin. The rate of discharge from a subsoil drainage system can be calculated by assigning a value of 2 gpm for each 100 ft2 of area where the soil is sandy and 1 gpm per 100 ft2 for clay soils. (See Chapter 7 for further discussion of subsoil drainage systems.)

Where the runoff from paved and impervious areas is collected in a sump, a value of 1 gpm/24 ft2 can be assigned for locations where the annual rate of rainfall is 4 in./hr. When the total gpm discharge into the sump basin has been determined, calculation for the size of the basin is exactly the same as that for the ejector basin.

Sump Pump Sizing The head on a sump pump is calculated exactly the same as it is for the ejector pump. It is good practice to select a capacity of 1¼ times the maximum inflow rate to provide an adequate factor of safety for possible periods when calculated maximum flows are exceeded by unusual storm conditions. Due to the ever-present danger of flooding caused by unusual rainfall conditions or the failure of one pump, it is recommended that a duplex sump pump system always be provided. Each pump should be sized for a capacity 1¼ times the maximum inflow.

The occurrence of a power failure is more likely during a storm than at other times—just when the sump pump is most needed. It is therefore advisable to provide a source of emergency power for sump pumps.

Controls Controls, alarms, alternation, etc., are exactly the same as those for the ejector system.

A General Rule for a Subdrainage System It should be a cardinal rule that any drainage that can possibly flow by gravity to a sewer should never be connected to the subdrainage system. The subdrainage system is dependent upon mechanical equipment (pumps and controls) for its operation and is therefore subject to failure, whereas the gravity drainage system will always remain in service during most types of emergencies.

MAY 2009

Plumbing Systems & Design 5

CONTINUING EDUCATION: Sumps and Ejectors

Continuing Education from Plumbing Systems & Design

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About This Issue’s Article

The May 2009 continuing education article is “Sumps and Ejectors,” Chapter 10 of Engineered Plumbing Design II by Alfred Steele, PE, and A. Cal Laws, PE, CPD. A subdrain is that portion of a drainage system that cannot drain by gravity into the building sewer. The wastes from a subdrain flow into a receiving tank, the contents of which are automatically lifted and discharged into the gravity drainage system. When the receiving basin collects the discharge of sanitary wastes, it is called an ejector basin and the automatic lifting and discharge equipment is called an ejector pump. When the wastes received are clear water discharges, it is called a sump basin and the equipment a sump pump.

This chapter explains the differences between the two.

You may locate this article at www.psdmagazine.org.

Read the article, complete the following exam, and submit your answer sheet to the ASPE office to potentially receive 0.1 CEU.

CE Questions — ”Sumps and Ejectors” (PSD 157) 1. Sump pumps also are referred to as what? a. sewage lift stations b. bilge pumps c. ejector pumps d. clear water pumps 2. What material can be used to construct a receiver? a. concrete b. steel c. fiberglass d. all of the above 3. A pneumatic ejector is advantageous in what situation? a. in freezing conditions b. when below-floor depth is restricted c. when small solids are handled d. when greasy wastes are handled 4. A removal system can be which of the following? a. guide rails b. brackets c. lifting devices d. both a and b 5. A submersible motor and pump contain which of the following? a. float switch b. discharge pipe c. companion flange d. all of the above 6. What method should be used to size centrifugal ejector pumps? a. water supply fixture unit b. Manning formula c. Hazen-Williams formula d. Hunter’s curve

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PSD 157

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7. To determine the head of the pump, add the static head to what? a. peak inflow b. discharge rate c. friction head loss d. none of the above

8. Gravitation acceleration is equal to what? a. 32.2 feet per second squared b. 20 feet per second squared c. 50 feet per second squared d. velocity of flow

9. Low water level should be maintained at least ________ above the bottom of an ejector basin. a. 3 inches b. 6 inches c. 9 inches d. none of the above

10. Ejector basins should not retain waste for longer than ________. a. 3 hours b. 6 hours c. 9 hours d. 12 hours 11. Level sensors can be which of the following? a. sealed pressure electrodes b. floats c. sealed pressure actuators d. all of the above

12. The capacity of a sump pump should be sized for ________ times the maximum inflow. a. 1.25 b. 1.50 c. 4.25 d. 4.50

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MAY 2009

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