Have you ever wondered what happens to the sewage load once you flush the out of the toilet? There is a much complicated story that is hidden inside the web of pipes and the other components you do not see. People only think about them when the whole system stops running due to blockages, leaks, etc. In order to prevent them from stopping functioning, you need to understand what occurs inside those pipe walls, valves and the whole pumping mechanism.
This article explains how a sewage ejector pump works and gives a deeper understanding of what lies underneath the ground level.
What is a Sewage Ejector Pump?
- Sewage ejector pumps are a particular sort of pump that acts as a special component to transfer wastewater from one level to another. This usually happens from a basement to a sewer line.
- In this scenario, electricity is what powers the pump and moves to raise wastewater from a lower level to the main sewer line eventually. This way, the latter can release sewage water into the nearby sewage system. If we look into its applications, what we can clearly see is that those properties with basements or other spaces below the main sewer line’s level usually employ them without any problem.
- The main objective of the latter is to carry wastewater, and that is normally a fusion of water and solid waste. The pumps are supposed to drag them from a basement or other lower level to a sewer line. In order to function well, the pump connects to the sewer line at an upper location higher than the wastewater.
- Using a motor, we can see pump simply transports the wastewater into the sewer line. The pump is all enclosed in a tank to put a stop to particles from blocking the motor and pump.
- As we mentioned in the above section, the prime focus of a sewage ejector pump is to add wastewater to the sewer line for disposal. When its applications are concerned, you may notice that these are frequently seen in homes with basements below the main sewer line. However, their application spreads across certain commercial structures, like restaurants, where effluent must be moved to a higher level as well.
Functionality of a Sewage Ejector Pump
Step 1: Wastewater Collection in Sump Basin
The process starts when this load of sewage and wastewater from basement plumbing fixtures like toilets, sinks, or laundry drains stream downward into a sump basin beneath the basement floor. This is where the basin serves as a container for the mix of sewage and wastewater, and this will most probably carry both solid and liquid waste. The basin has the potential to store a specific amount (for example, 30 to 40 gallons) of sewage before the pump starts to work.
Then come the drain lines, and they slope downward to help waste flow into the sump basin. This keeps wastewater from backing up in the fixtures. The vital part is that the basin needs to be big enough to store waste before pumping. This type of setup lets the pump handle all sewage from areas below the main sewer line with ease.
Step 2: Float Activation to Start Pump
Here we come to the next stage of the process. This begins with a float switch that is located inside the sump basin. As you can see, it tends to rise as the level of wastewater goes upward. When the wastewater touches a specific height, the float starts activating the sewage ejector pump’s engine.
It is noticeable that this switch works in the same way as a septic tank floats. The latter aims for consistent activation at the appropriate sewage level as well as preventing overflow or pump driving too frequently.
In the meantime, the float switch keeps taking control of the sewage volume and then moves forward to ensure that the pump only runs when necessary. This is known as an automatic movement that protects the system since it ensures that sewage is only removed when the basin touches a particular level.
Step 3: Pumping Sewage Upward
When the float switches on the motor, the sewage ejector pump’s function begins, and it starts pumping the liquid and solid mixture out of the sump basin. Here, the pump’s functionality becomes similar to a submerged centrifugal device, and it is meant to take charge of all the raw sewage and waste materials.
It pushes wastewater up through a discharge pipe, which ties up to the main sewage line or septic system at a high-rise spot. The engine walks towards, forcing the garbage to overcome the elevation difference that gravity alone cannot handle. This is what results in efficient waste disposal even from the lower floors of a building or home.
Step 4: Check Valve Prevents Backflow
There is a check valve that has been put in the discharge pipe, atop the pump. What is the reason for this valve to be there? The latter simply allows wastewater to flow in just one direction: out of the basin and right into the sewer line.
When the pump pauses after desolating the basin, the valve closes itself. This is to put a stop to sewage from running backwards into it.
If we look closely, we can see that this sort of backflow control is important for maintaining system hygiene. It is also a strategy to avoid sewage backups and keep the pump from cycling more than enough. The valve’s main object is to maintain a continuous and controlled flow of wastewater away from the basement or a lower level of plumbing fixtures.
Step 5: Pump Deactivates Upon Basin Emptying
This is the stage where the pump moves to its deactivation mode eventually. It occurs this way: When the pump steps towards releasing the sewage load out, it is noticeable that the level of wastewater in the sump basin goes down.
When the level falls off to a certain point, the float switch also goes down in parallel and sends a signal to the pump motor to shut down. When all these steps happen, the basin is relatively empty, and it is in a full force to grip additional wastewater when it floats in.
The pump remains as it is. This means it will be shut down until the float rises again with a new load of sewage. As you can see, this cycle of activation and deactivation happens automatically. Its functioning makes the way for an efficient waste collection while preventing overflow or continuous pump operation.
Step 6: Ventilation System to Manage Sewer Gases
This is the final stage of the entire process, and in this stage, the wastewater ejector pump system usually includes a vent pipe. This extends from the sump basin and its key purpose is to put a stop to sewer gases spreading across the entering the structure.
This vent strikes the right balance when it comes to pressure during pumping. Its main focus is to safely discharge any odours or gases produced stems down from decomposing sewage.
The advantages of the effective venting revolve around one distinguishing factor. That is, it steers clear of pressure buildup that has the high potential to damage pipes and eliminates unpleasant odours. On the other hand, the latter capacity helps keep the basement safe and odour-free. The vent pipe normally connects to an existing building vent stack or escapes through the roof.
Ensuring the Reliability of Industrial Pump Network with Sensors
Not only households, but a sewage treatment plant can use sewage ejector pumps or comparable pumps, but in larger and more industrial settings. However, since there is a lot of processing occurs beneath the surface level, it is quite difficult for the operators to ensure the pump’s reliability and good health 24/7. Tigernix Pump Asset Solution takes away that burden as our software solution is powered by Industry 4.0 capabilities like AI, IoT Sensor networks, Digital Twin, etc. With Tigernix, you are in good hands!
