Muffin Monster makes quick work of debris

The main cause was the proportion of solids in the wastewater, which is continuously increasing. Consequently, Sulzer recommended the upstream installation of a dual-shafted grinder, known as the ‘Muffin Monster’. Since its installation, the sewage pumps have been operating perfectly. Thanks to the savings in maintenance costs, the grinder has paid for itself in less than eighteen months.

For around ten years, wastewater plants in metropolitan regions such as the Ruhr area have faced constantly growing challenges, including the many things that are thoughtlessly discharged into the sewers. “Wipes especially are a big problem. They form long chains in the sewer and then block the pumps,” explains Andreas Fockenberg from Sulzer. Weather extremes do the rest.

“If a dry period is followed by a heavy downpour, with the flushing surge in the sewer, all the material arrives at the pumps at once. While these have become more robust, there are simply too many difficult-to-handle pieces of debris,” continues Fockenberg.

Read the full article in the May issue of DPA