May 2015

What kind of piping do I need to properly dispose of waste from my manufacturing plant?

Posted on May 28, 2015September 8, 2022 by splashme@splashomnimedia.com

Considerations when choosing industrial piping.

Manufacturing Piping

When you’re running a manufacturing plant, it can seem as though there are more regulations than could possibly be followed, and because manufacturing covers such a diverse array of activities, the specifications for drain piping can be just as complicated. How do you select the proper piping to get waste out of your plant? Here are some considerations:

What’s going down the drain?

The first thing to consider is what you’re sending down the drain. Do you need to have separate disposal lines for particular items or does the waste need to be treated or diluted before going down the drain? Knowing what you’re dealing with is the very first step in the process.

Is it hot or cold?

Some pipe materials, such as PVC and some other plastic piping, will not deal well with hot temperatures. Materials such as CPVC do handle high temperatures very well.

Will it react with the pipes?

Some metals will react badly with particular compounds, causing unintended chemical reactions, including those that can cause the pipe to fail early on. On the other hand, plastics will also react to certain substances. Knowing what chemicals are being used is also an important consideration.

Will it corrode the pipes?

Steel and iron are two metals we think of most often with regards to corrosion, but that process can be rapidly accelerated around particular compounds, including those that contain salt. As the metal oxidizes, it can create weak spots in the pipes.

Is it under pressure?

If you’re having to force the waste out through a transfer pump, are the pipes rated for the pressures they may be operating under? If not, you could end up with a big mess on your hands in addition to liability and clean-up costs.
With all these considerations, it’s easy to see why many businesses count on companies like W. P. Law to take care of their drainpipe needs. We’ve been serving the industry in South Carolina for over 45 years and welcome the opportunity to help you with your piping questions and needs. Please contact us with any questions or concerns about your projects.

Can I adjust the flow of my water fountain?

Posted on May 21, 2015September 8, 2022 by splashme@splashomnimedia.com

Everything you need to know about improving the function of your fountain.

Water Fountain

If the flow on your water fountain “leaves much to be desired,” there are several things that could be going wrong. Your pump might not be working correctly, the fountain nozzles might have a blockage, or a build-up of debris might have occurred over the intake screen. To help you adjust the flow of your fountain, we have gathered together a few problematic scenarios, as well as possible fixes.

Top Ways to Adjust the Flow of Fountains:

Scenario 1: Your fountain is not pumping water well.

When a fountain makes a spitting noise, combined with the inability to pump water correctly, it is usually due to insufficient amounts of water. As a general rule of thumb, your indoor or outdoor fountain needs to have enough water to cover the entire pump. If your pump is sufficiently covered, there is a chance that the pump could be clogged or dirty. Thoroughly clean the pump and conduct any necessary repairs by using a pump repair kit.

Scenario 2: Your water fountain has a loud pump.

Loud pumps can be caused by a number of items, including:

The water level is too low.
You have trash or other debris in your pump.
The pump may not be positioned properly, which causes it to vibrate loudly.

If the water level is too low, simply add water until your pump is submerged under of 6 inches of water. Trash or other debris should be removed by disassembling and thoroughly cleaning the pump. If you notice that the pump is vibrating loudly, make sure it is secured properly. Sometime excessive vibration can be a symptom of other problems and may require calling a professional for their expert opinion and help.

Scenario 3: The water flow is too slow or the pattern is irregular.

When a fountain flows irregularly, it is usually due to clogged nozzles or improper the improper setting of flow control valves. Fountain nozzles can usually be cleaned, although time consuming, it is typically an easy fix. Most water fountains will be equipped with an adjustable flow valve; as such, try adjusting the settings to accommodate for your desired flow-level. If this tactic doesn’t work, you might need to clean the fountain pump of any debris or build-up. Using a pump repair kit will help you to clean and fix the pump so that it improves the fountain’s flow. Additionally, you might need to install a different flow valve, so that the water levels can be regulated more effectively.

Contacting The Water Fountain Experts

Are you still having a hard time adjusting the flow of your water fountain? Perhaps your specific scenario wasn’t listed above? Not a problem, simply contact the experts at W.P. Law Incorporated. Our team of professionals will help you to address your specific water fountain issue. Whether you need to purchase a pump repair kit or install a new pump flow valve, we are here to help.

How can I be cost-efficient in irrigating my crops?

Posted on May 14, 2015September 8, 2022 by splashme@splashomnimedia.com

Find out how to save money and water irrigating your crops.

Crop Irrigation

Irrigation water is an essential tool for the successful growth of vegetables, fruits, and grains throughout the world’s various regions. In fact, almost 60 percent of the world’s entire freshwater withdrawals are used in irrigation practices. Knowing a few smart irrigation water tips can greatly improve your irrigation efficiencies, while also enhancing your crop yield.

The Top Five Efficient Irrigation Tips for Crops

Before the start of each new growing season, check your irrigation system. A professional irrigation expert can help you to determine if there are any problem areas within your system or if any of the sprinklers are clogged or otherwise damaged.
An irrigation system is only as good as the points of contact, i.e. the places where the sprinkler heads connect with hoses or pipes. Did you know that a leak the size of a ballpoint pen can waste up to 6,300 gallons of water per month? To be more cost-efficient, while irrigating crops, make sure that your water lines don’t have any leaks.
To be the most cost-efficient in your crop irrigation needs, the water needs to be directed only at the areas where the crops are planted. Every drop of water wasted on an area that doesn’t need it, is like throwing money down the drain.
Improperly scheduling your irrigation controller can waste both water and money. At the start of each new growing and planting season, be sure to update your system’s watering schedule so that it can properly align with the needs of your latest crops, as well as the seasonal output of natural rain water.
Consider using VFD controls on pump stations. If your irrigation system requires a wide range of flow rates, a VFD can lower your pumping costs.

The Benefits of Working With Irrigation Experts

When you work with the team of irrigation experts at W.P. Law Incorporated, you will be in a position to improve the efficiencies of your irrigation systems. From choosing the right pumps to finding the ideal controllers, the experts at W.P. Law know exactly how to maximize the efficiency of your landscape and crop irrigation system. With thousands of irrigation supplies in stock, your system will soon be optimized for your crops and producing just the right amount of water for the most efficient yields.

How to Test if the Pumps in Your Lift Station Work Properly

Posted on May 7, 2015September 8, 2022 by splashme@splashomnimedia.com

When you’re operating a lift station, having properly functioning pumps is vital to keeping things working.

Lift Station

But how do you test the pumps to make sure they’re doing what they’re supposed to? In this post, let’s look at how to keep your lift station pumps operating at peak performance.

Issues with measuring lift pumps

Older lift stations often don’t have equipment to measure the flow of liquids through the system. The problem is that without knowing these figures, it’s very difficult to determine how much liquid a lift station is processing and whether it’s keeping up with demand or if problems have developed that can cause the pumps to fail.

Testing Options

One effective way to get around a lack of flow meter equipment is by testing pump drawdown. By timing the drawdown of a set volume of liquid from a wet well, an estimate can be determined of how much liquid a pump is processing. Although this is a very simple method, it works well for equipment that has difficult accessibility issues that prevent the use of a clamp-on flowmeter.

Avoiding System Problems

Of course, the best way to keep your lift system pumps functioning properly is to provide regular inspections of your equipment. Setting up a regular inspection of your pumping equipment helps you stay on top of problems in your lift station and allows you to get pumps repaired before the problems become more serious and expensive.

Taking Care of Pump Problems

When you do find problems with meeting capacity in your lift station, taking care of the issue sooner rather than later can help minimize the expense of more extensive repairs later on. Older systems may need to have new parts fabricated due to a lack of available replacement parts, but you’ll want to have these fabrications completed by a company that is experienced in repairing pumps so that they understand fluid dynamics and the demands of your system.

If you find that your lift station pumps are in need of flow measuring equipment, repairs, or specialized fabrication to keep your station running, we’re happy to help in any way we can. We offer a wide variety of services to industrial and municipal services, including highly specialized repairs and fabrication of hard-to-find parts. Please feel free to contact us with any questions about improving your lift station pumps.

Month: May 2015