Australian milk factory pumps up its capacity

A large Australian milk factory has had existing Gorman-Rupp above ground self-priming pumps on their stormwater for over five years. The above-ground pumps work really well and have required almost no intervention or maintenance since their installation. The factory’s maintenance team love them because of their rugged reliability.

When it came time to upgrade their wastewater system, it made sense that this facility should look at another Gorman-Rupp pump solution. The plant operators were used to working with submersible pumps in their wastewater system, but after many years of coordinating the complicated needs for lifting apparatus, confined spaces issues and regular interventions, they were ready for a positive change. Having Gorman-Rupp self-priming wastewater pumps mounted on the surface makes lots of sense from a maintenance and safety perspective.

Gorman-Rupp’s model T6A60S-B was selected for the job. It is a 6″ [150 mm] wastewater pump capable of handling a 76 mm spherical solid. It is also equipped with a self-cleaning wear plate system to minimise blockages from stringy materials such as rags, bags and gloves. Even if something quite large gets into the pump, it has a removable cover-plate to allow operators access to pump internals without the need to enter wet wells.

The selected pump has many features that protect the pump and its operators, and maintenance is made easy for operators. Adjusting clearances is done in minutes by one operator without the need to disconnect the pump or even open it, enabling the pump to be kept in peak operational efficiency. A double lip seal and atmospheric vent arrangement protect the bearings and shaft if a seal fails.

Pusher-bolt capability on the cover-plate and rotating assembly make removing those components a breeze for one operator, without the need for jemmy bars and the use of excessive force. A pressure relief valve protects the pump and operators from excessive pressure if a discharge valve blocks.

Asset owners and operators alike love their Gorman-Rupp pumps because they are rugged, reliable and so very easy to maintain. We have records of Australian sites that have been using Gorman-Rupp wastewater pumps for more than 30 years. During this time, the owners have recorded minimal issues and reliable 24/7 performance. Long-term peace of mind and cost-effectiveness is another huge benefit for them.

This Aussie Milk Factory gets enormous benefit from the simplicity and ease of maintenance of their Gorman-Rupp pumps. Being a high demand production line, there is very limited downtime for maintenance. The factory has only one 24 hour day per year for full shutdown when the rotating assembly of the pumps are easily pulled out and replaced. Genuine spare parts are easy to access if they are required as they are stock lines at Hydro Innovations. In the case of this milk factory, the old rotating assembly is taken back to their workshop for refurbishment at a later date. This refurbished part is then kept on hand for any emergency replacement that may be required to ensure the system is kept running with minimal downtime if a problem does occur.

The investment in a pump that gives no trouble is looked on favourably by all companies who need maximum performance from their facility. Gorman-Rupp has been building reliable pumps since 1933 and back it up with parts availability and support for the life of the installation.

Hydro Innovations are the proud Australian Distributors for rugged and dependable Gorman-Rupp pumps and genuine spare parts.

More information on these pumps may be obtained from info@hydroinnovations.com.au or by calling (02) 9898 1800.