REAL LIFE SINGER SOLUTIONS

SINGER VALVE PREVENTS SURGES AT SEWAGE LIFT STATION

Their Challenge

When choosing the best spot for the Casa Loma lift station near Kelowna, B.C., the Regional District of Central Okanagan chose a scenic location next to Lake Okanagan. As the sole pump station in that area, it pumps raw sewage 210 feet (64 m) higher than the sanitary sewer trunk. But, with such high pressure and two large pumps, the pump station required extra protection in the event of either power or pump failures.

Our Solution 

“We wanted surge protection,” says Jim Kentel, civil manager at Stantec Engineering in Kelowna, B.C. “That’s where Singer Valve came in.”
“The Singer Dynamic Lifter enables the pump station to pump raw sewage with high head applications,” says Kentel. “We wanted to provide the operators with a reliable and low maintenance solution.”

The Result 

Although the valve is available as spring-and-oil operated, the Casa Loma Lift Station has the air-operated version so it can handle the high pressure quickly and efficiently. The Dynamic Lifter can handle large solids and it can be serviced easily by applying external pressure (such as a hand pump) to the test connection, opening the valve for routine maintenance.

“THE BEAUTY OF THE DYNAMIC LIFTER IS THAT IT WORKS AND, BECAUSE MAINTENANCE CAN BE DONE IN-LINE, THE VALVE IS EASY TO CHECK.”

- Brian Blann, President, Singer Valve Inc. 

SURGE ANTICIPATOR ELIMINATES PIPE BREAKAGE IN CENTRAL SAANICH

Their Challenge

Central Saanich District has a medium-sized, widely dispersed sewage collection system that sends sewage for treatment to the regional wastewater treatment plant. One of its facilities pumps sewage through a 12” (300 mm) asbestos cement forcemain to a sewer siphon several kilometers away. Due to aging infrastructure and surges from pumps stopping and power failures, the forcemain would rupture.

Our Solution

Singer Valve’s Pneumatic Dynamic Lifter® (A106-DL-Air) with surge anticipating function because it is designed to reduce stress on pipes, thereby preventing bursts and adding longevity to the life of the pipe. And, because it is pneumatic with the solenoid-operated surge anticipator, it works during power outages.

Central Saanich has three 75 hp pumps that each cycle between 30 to 50 times every day. “Because the valve operates on every shutdown, it is crucial that the valve operation is precise and occurs at the right times to prevent surges,” says Mark Gimson, a Singer Valve account sales manager. “Otherwise, you could literally blow lines out of the ground.”

The Result

The result is a highly responsive solution that has proven true. No surges and no line breaks, even during a power outage.

“THE DYNAMIC LIFTER HAS WORKED VERY WELL IN THIS APPLICATION AND WE’VE HAD GREAT TECHNICAL SUPPORT FROM SINGER VALVE.”

- Rob Nelson, Electrician, Central Saanich District