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AHLSTAR APT process pump rangeAHLSTAR APT end-suction single-stage centrifugal process pumps are used for demanding industrial applications to ensure process reliability, high efficiency and low operating costs. The pump exceeds the requirements of ISO 5199.
Lower maintenance and operational costs for industrial wastewater treatment
Self-priming AHLSTAR pumps replace Archimedean screw pumps
Located near Salvador in Brazil, the Camaçari petrochemical complex is the nation’s biggest industrial park with more than 90 plants. All its industrial effluents are collected and conveyed to a centralized secondary wastewater treatment plant operated by Cetrel, an Odebrecht Ambiental company. In the activated sludge recirculation process, expensive maintenance was needed for the Archimedean screw pumps that had been in operation since 1978. Cetrel decided to replace them by more cost-effective and efficient pumps.
The challenge
The Archimedean screw pumps experienced reliability issues and required frequent maintenance. The main challenge was to replace them without stopping the operation. This called for a perfect understanding of the installation and the process requirements, as well as of how to adapt the new pumps in the existing building. Also, once installed, the new pumps should be maintenance-friendly and reduce operational costs remarkably.
The solution
Sulzer delivered six AHLSTAR APP43-300 S self-priming centrifugal pumps in replacement of the six old screw pumps. Thanks to its integrated liquid ring pump, the APP-S has a high suction capability (even at low speed) and can easily prime the suction pipe. The six complete APP-S pumping units could therefore be installed above the liquid level on the suction side. This greatly facilitated the retrofit of the pumping station.
Nowadays dealing with reliable suppliers is of paramount importance. Sulzer provides us with innovative solutions, and the new self-priming pumps have exceeded our expectations.
José Batista da Silva
Effluents Operation, Cetrel
Customer benefit
As a well-known supplier for both municipal and industrial wastewater applications, Sulzer was able to define the best pumping solution for the process specification. The AHLSTAR APP-S self-priming pumps have an increased overall efficiency compared to the previous Archimedean screw pumps. The new pumping units are also much more compact than the old ones. Finally, the activated sludge is now transferred gently and the risk for splashing that would occur with the old open structure has been totally eliminated.
Product specification
AHLSTAR pump APP43-300 S
| Flow | 700 m³/h |
| Head | 7.4 m |
| Sludge D.S content | 5% max |
| Impeller | Special open – 360 mm |
| Speed | 900 rpm |
| Motor power | 30 kW |
| Pump efficiency | 75.7 % |