The difference in water levels between the upstream and downstream sections is less than 1 meter which means that the submersible pumps would operate for a short period at regular intervals and so were proving very expensive to run in this application. The pumping station now uses three pumps on a duty/assist/standby basis to maintain the local water levels with the new pump system providing duty capacity.
In partnership with Landustrie, ECS worked with NRW to design an environmentally sympathetic pumping system that would not only be more energy efficient, but also fish friendly, a feature not associated with traditional submersible pumping systems. The project also included replacement of the flap valve mechanism, which ensures a one way flow of the drainage water and can prevent any tidal water from the river Severn from entering the freshwater channels.
#ARCHIMEDES SCREW PUMP DESIGN MANUAL INSTALL#
Under this remit, NRW commissioned ECS to install a new, more efficient, fully compact, Archimedes screw pump at a site near Newport, Gwent. Part of its responsibility is to maintain the drainage systems and ensure that they operate as efficiently as possible. With responsibilities to maintain almost 2,000 miles of flood defences, main rivers and more than 4,000 sluices, outfalls, floodgates and barriers, Natural Resources Wales has a great deal of involvement in the waterways of Wales. The project was designed and installed by ECS Engineering Services, UK supply and service agents for Landustrie, with initial energy consumption figures showing a reduction of more than 40% compared with the original arrangement. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has upgraded one of its drainage pumping stations with the introduction of a new Archimedes screw pump retrofitted alongside two existing axial flow submersible pumps.