Contributor: BJM Pumps®
Three common situations occur when the pump in use does not meet the demands of disposal for food and beverage waste:
1. The Pump Clogs: If unchecked, a backup of mixed liquid and solid waste begins to accumulate. You’ll likely need to pull the pump for maintenance. When a clog has been removed, the pump returns to service.
2. Additional Pump Damage: The pulled pump may reveal the clog has also damaged the seal or overheated the motor. Additional maintenance and/or parts are needed to repair the damage. The pump may be salvageable, or it may need to be replaced.
3. Pump Failure: An accumulation of solids in the pit indicates the pump is not working properly. The waste collected in the pit must be removed manually, and you’ll need an alternate disposal plan to fulfill the required neutralization.
If you are experiencing any or all of these three system failures, your current pump is not adequate to shred waste and assure the flow of liquids. Some food and beverage manufacturers are forced to pull the pumps 3 or 4 times a day to unclog the solids. This process requires approximately 4 hours of daily downtime, more than eighty hours of lost productivity per month. This daily downtime is a massive, yet avoidable cost to the company. Unfortunately, this daily shutdown happens in plants across the country.
