Design details of vacuum sewer systems

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Does anyone have experience with the design of vacuum sewer systems, their installation and operation and would be interested in collaborating? Please share the design details of vacuum sewer systems and its advantages as well. 

I am researching on vacuum sewer systems   for transporting sewage from its source to a sewage treatment plant. I have seen that many systems are in place already and the number is increasing.

Also, I am looking for relevant scientific publications on vacuum sewers. It seems that there are not too many available. Any recommendations would be highly appreciated.

Regards,

Marc

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10 Answers

  1. There is a new way to build a lift station and completely ANY well in a retrofit or new installation. No wet pit - no odor - less maintenance. All using a duplex in line sewage pump - The DIP System. http://www.imexconsultinggroup.com/side-industries---dip-system

  2. There is a new way to build a lift station and completely ANY well in a retrofit or new installation. No wet pit - no odor - less maintenance. All using a duplex in line sewage pump - The DIP System. http://www.imexconsultinggroup.com/side-industries---dip-system

  3. Greetings, I know these systems are very expensive, but great at reducing infiltration issues. I think City of Boca Raton in Florida has a vacuum system. Probably more expensive to retrofit an old system but easier if it is a brand new development for obvious reasons...

    1 Comment

    1. Hi Christina,

      thanks for your opinion. I was a bit surprise. During my research I found that for installation in most cases vacuum sewers had comparative cost advantage against gravity sewers and not to forget the environmental benefits. I think the cost advantages derive from lower trenching and material cost in comparison with gravity sewers.

      But I do wonder about the operational and maintenance costs since many communities seem to have issues with the valves.

      Which raises the question why hasn't this system been implemented more often if it has so many benefits?

  4. Dear all,

    thank you all very much for your replies. In fact I am not looking to build a vacuum sewer. I m conducting research on the critical factors for successful or failed installation examples. Such factors that affect planning, installation, operation and maintenance.

    What are the limiting factors of the vacuum system? (e.g. can VS be implemented in large urban areas instead of gravity systems?)

    Why isn't it implemented more often?

    What are common sources of failures?

    What are bad and good examples of vacuum systems around the world?

    Thanks a lot for your input

    Marc

     

  5. Dear Mr.Marc

    Vacuum sewerage systems are used in a variety of situations including, Marina’s; Green Buildings; Hospital’s; Industrial area’s; Army, Emergency and Mining Camps; and the principals of operation are the same as in residential area’s where a vacuum system may have replaced an old septic tank or gravity system or in a new housing development.

    The sewerage system which uses differential air pressure and gravity to rapidly transport sewage in a network of essentially empty pipes from Collection Pits to a central collection tank and then to a point of discharge. A batch of sewage enters the vacuum system when the atmospheric  Valve opens in a  Collection Pit and the sewage is sucked into the Vacuum main. The Valve remains open briefly following the removal of the sewage from the pit sump allowing atmospheric air to enter the suction pipe and blow the sewage batch toward the Vacuum Pump Station.

    The Vacuum Pump Station (VPS) houses a collection tank (to collect the sewage); discharge pumps to send the sewage to the treatment plant; controls to automate the station and vacuum pumps which create a negative pressure in the vacuum mains. (-0.5 -0.7 bar). Usually only one VPS is required in an average sized catchment. Unlike the older vacuum sewerage systems the transport in modern systems is fast and notably not due to a syphon.

    Ideally a Vacuum Pump Station is located centrally within a catchment area but the designer can be flexible about this. A backup generator can be located at the VPS ensuring non stop operation in area’s where power is a problem or susceptible to Hurricanes or Cyclones.

     

    QUA-VAC is a globally orientated company that designs, manufactures and markets environmentally friendly vacuum wastewater collection and treatment systems for the rural sewage-, building- and marine industries. 50 years of experience in vacuum sewage technology, skilled personnel, professional design and high-quality technical solutions have facilitated continuous growth of knowledge and market share.

     

    https://youtu.be/LbAVLzmluW0

     

    https://youtu.be/2jajaOHyXYQ

     

    https://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwi07fOixpDPAhVGH5QKHbt1BSAQFgg8MAM&url=http%3A%2F%2Fflovac.com%2Fhow-vacuum-sewerage-works%2F&usg=AFQjCNExef-dof6PkVBBVW9ygFJMsFJr6w&sig2=oEZOI4gagQFcZuq7V-jj7g

     

     

     

    1 Comment

  6. Dear Marc

    The use of vacuum system is a good choice, but some aspects are relevant, specially security, materials and energy.

    Do you have some experience in vacuum practices?

     

    I think that there are two ways that these systems can work: 

    (1) I think that you want transport the waste water using some system that use a gradient of pressure. You need provide energy for generate the pressure gradient (the energy that need  the vacuum pump), you need provide security (avoid implosion risk) and adequate materials (avoid loss of gradient pressure). 

    (2) you can develop a sewage depuration in situ system and transport clean water for prepare these water for other uses. In this second case, if you want we can collaborate and search some funds (public or private) for the design of these system.

    Regards

    Pedro 

     

    2 Comments

    2. Dear Pedro,

      thanks for your reply. I m still at the beginning of my research so I mostly have theoretical knowledge of the VS. I ve seen a couple of systems here in Germany from Roediger.

      (1) Yes, I agree. Pressure gradients are inevitable in this system, I guess that is one factor limiting the vacuum main to approx. 4 km. And the need for electricity and adequate materials make this system quite advanced and pose difficulties on its management. I do believe though that its benefits in many cases outweigh the gravity system which also requires energy for lifting pumps and material failure does just go unnoticed (e.g leakage).

      (2) This is a great idea. I was wondering about this as well. Maybe we can discuss this as well. Please send me an email: marcbeckett@gmx.de

  7. Why are you choosing a vacuum system? Is the served area VERY flat? I recall that Anglian Water (UK) have a number of such systems in their flat areas. I also recall that in the flat areas of Florida they use sawtooth pumped systems.

    1 Comment

  8. Hi Mark,

    What distances do you require the suction to reach to and then what pumping distance do you want?

    Are you discharging it to a treatment facility or a truck?

    1 Comment