This document discusses various backup power options for critical pumping systems. It outlines six main options: 1) redundant grid access, 2) fixed electric generators, 3) portable electric generators, 4) fixed engines, 5) power take-off systems, and 6) portable pumps. Each option is described in terms of installation, operation, maintenance requirements, and advantages/disadvantages. The document also stresses the importance of adequate storage capacity to allow time to implement backup power, and discusses methods to prevent wastewater from going septic during outages.

1. Backup Systems for Critical Pumping Applications
Brian Gongol
DJ Gongol & Associates, Inc.
April 18, 2018
62nd Great Plains Waste Management Conference
La Vista, Nebraska

2. Here comes the rain again

3. If you have to pump, you need backup power

4. Causes of power outages

5. Ice storms

6. System overloads

7. Routine accidents

8. Thunderstorms

9. What happens in a thunderstorm?

10. I&I (or high combined fows)

11. You need power most when it's easiest to lose

12. Six power options

13. 1. Redundant grid access

14. 2. Fixed electric generators

15. 3. Portable electric generators

16. 4. Fixed engines

17. 5. PTO

18. 6. Portable pumps

19. Storage also matters

20. Does storage give you time to act?

21. We'll come back to storage later

22. Option #1: Redundant grid access

23. Ten States permits "independent substations"

24. Power systems very expensive to install

25. Independent grids, but common threats

26. How independent can you get?

27. Ice storms

28. High winds and hail

29. High temperatures

30. All tend to hit a broad geography

31. A blizzard is never compact

32. Of no help at all in case of mechanical failure

33. Requires switching equipment

34. Option #2: Fixed generators

35. Common practice to mount at station sites

36. May be interior or exterior to station

37. Requires transfer switching

38. Expensive to install

39. Not usually integrated with the pump station
Affects cost to install and integrate
Affects maintenance friendliness (especially if ottdoorsॕ

40. Security, vandalism, & aesthetic considerations

41. Sizing risk: You don't want it too small

42. Sizing risk: You don't want to pay for too much

43. Often requires a large footprint

44. Roughly doubles this station footprint

45. Requires fuel storage or supply

46. May require spill containment

47. Requires regular exercise and maintenance

48. Operates non-stop on power failure
Creates non-stop noise
Constmes ftel
Can create heat and other by prodtcts

49. May be used to back up other equipment

50. Option #3: Portable generators

51. Problem: Travel can be difcult when needed

52. Sacrifcing manpower at critical times

53. Can consume a lot of fuel

54. May require lots of shuttling or babysitting

55. May be useful for other applications

56. May need security against theft/vandalism

57. Can be very loud

58. May be time-consuming to activate

59. Requires routine exercise and maintenance

60. Requires parts, training, and service

61. Requires storage

62. Transportation considerations
How big?
How heavy ?
How towable?
What kind of skid/wheel kit/trailer?

63. Fuel may go bad

64. Not helpful in a lightning strike

65. Operates non-stop even when pumps don't
Not an "efcient" approach
in the strict sense of the word

66. One unit may be useful at many sites

67. Option #4: Fixed engines

68. Double-shafted motor with a clutch

69. Fixed-engine backup confguration

70. Fixed-engine backup confguration

71. Fixed-engine backup confguration

72. Fixed-engine backup confguration

73. Fixed-engine backup confguration

74. Fixed-engine backup confguration

75. Fully integrated unit - no transfer switch

76. Can use natural gas, LP, or other fuels

77. Highly compact, fully secure footprint

78. All O&M conducted indoors; no outdoor work

79. Buildings can reduce noise

80. Can be made "neighborhood-friendly"

81. Single-engine or multiple-engine confgs

82. Little or no feld wiring required

83. Usually employs dual AC/DC controls

84. Battery on trickle charger supplies controls

85. Engine shuts down when not in use

86. Tamper-proof and vandalism-resistant

87. Should be factory-designed and tested

88. Only option that can be fully factory-tested

89. Limited to 25' suction lift

90. Option #5: PTO

91. Useful in select applications

92. Handy if tractors are in widespread use

93. May work mainly with lineshaft pumps

94. Option #6: Portable pumps

95. Simple version: Drop hoses in a hole

96. Better version: Built-in bypass connections

97. Most complex: Self-contained portable station

98. Consider noise abatement

99. Consider fuel storage

100. Consider fuel choice, too (gas vs diesel)

101. The pump will need storage, too

102. Some require babysitting

103. Some supplied with full control packages

104. Best if station accommodates quick activation

105. Least amount of total equipment required

106. Requires operator time and efort to start
REMEMBER:
By the time y ot get the call,
y ot're probably already
in an alarm condition
-- and that's before travel time

107. May have multipurpose use

108. May be only option for a fooded station

109. Portable station, semi-permanent placement

110. Consider transportation issues

Carry in back of a truck?
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Lift by hand?
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Skid-mounted?
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Trailer-mounted?
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Highway trailer?

111. Consider cold-weather operation
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Do you want to work on this in the cold?

Will a diesel engine work?

Can you get to every site in a snowstorm?

112. Reliability is critical: Plan around "PEAT"
Ptmp
Engine
Accessories
Transportation

113. Storage capacity also matters!

114. A common mistake: Under-sizing the wetwell

115. Wetwell capacity isn't linear with diameter

116. 5' of storage in 6' diameter: 1,055 gallons

117. 5' of storage in 8' diameter: 1,880 gallons

118. 5' of storage in 10' diameter: 2,937 gallons

119. A larger wetwell rarely changes O&M costs

120. But what about the wetwell going septic?

121. Anti-septic solution #1: Mixers

122. Anti-septic solution #2: Cyclical aeration

123. Anti-septic solution #3: Pumping cycles

124. Anti-septic solution #4: Chemicals/microbes

125. Overfow basins/storage

126. Be aware of what's stored in gravity sewers

127. Hundreds of gallons can be hidden

128. May cause extraordinary pumpdown times

129. Also note what's stored in the force main

130. Not useful for emergency operations

131. But important to total system operation

132. To recap
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Consider all six options:
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Redundant grid access
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Fixed electric generators
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Portable electric generators
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Fixed engines
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PTO
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Portable pumps
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Up-front cost doesn't tell the full story -- at all
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Each option has its place

133. Thanks for your attention
Contact ts any time with qtestions
Brian Gongol - DJ Gongol & Associates
515-223-4144
brian@gongol.net

134. Sources

Radar map of March 6, 2017 severe weather from NOAA

Map of March 23, 2018 snowstorm captured from the National Weather
Service
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Map of derecho event in 2014 from NOAA:

http://www.spc.noaa.gov/misc/AbtDerechos/casepages/jun302014pa
ge.htm#
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Map of Nebraska power districts from the Nebraska Power Review Board:
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http://nprb.gisworkshop.com/
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All other photos and illustrations are the original work of the author, the
author's company, or Gorman-Rupp

All rights reserved; reproduction prohibited without written consent