Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

Tech Note: Radial Cutting Mechanism VS Axial Cutting Mechanism

Crane Pumps & Systems
Crane Tech Note Radial Cutting Mechanism VS Axial Cutting Mechanism

Tech Note: Radial Cutting Mechanism VS Axial Cutting Mechanism

Grinder Pump

For solids handling applications with relatively low flow and high head when pumping to a force main, grinder pumps are the ideal solutions. Grinder pumps are often used in low-pressure sewer systems, that feature a network of grinder pumps serving hundreds of individual residences, though they are also found in smaller commercial or municipal lift stations. A critical feature of grinder pumps is their cutting mechanism, which tends to come in two forms: axial and Radial. Radial cutting mechanisms are the more traditional style of cutters and axial is the newer, cutting-edge technology.

Radial Cutting Mechanism

A radial cutting mechanism is a more traditional style of solids reduction in grinder pumps. Radial cutters were designed in the early 1970s a time that had a very different waste stream than current day. A radial cutting mechanism features a sharp shredder ring with several channels around the radius. In the shredder ring is an angled spinning blade. As items enter the pump, the blade paired with the sharp channels in the shredder ring cut down any item passing through the components. Radial technology is commonly used with higher horsepower grinder pumps. Higher horsepower pumps have more torque making them less prone to jamming. Radial grinder pumps can be more susceptible to clogging or jamming on items such as wipes or other flushed items especially if the pump stops running while the process of cutting a solid and then tries to restart.

Axial Cutting Mechanism

Axial cutting mechanisms were engineered to combat the evolving waste stream. The solids content in wastewater is continuously increasing. The increasing solids content is paired with a trend of reduced water consumption, which creates a more challenging waste stream. An axial cutting mechanism features a cutter plate that is mounted to the bottom of the pump with a blade spinning beneath it. These cutter plates can act similar to a cheese grater with the spinning blade attached to the bottom of the suction plate. The Axial cutting mechanism nibbles away at solids until they are completely reduced without the risk of oversized or challenging items stretching across and clogging the cutter. This prevents any large materials from entering the pump without first being grinded into small pieces. The axial cutter can also act as a propeller in the basin, this action mixes the water in the basin, which helps to prevent grease build-up in the station. Grease and solids build up in lift stations can cause excess wear on the pumping system or cause the station to turn septic.

Related Articles

Crane variable speed frequency drives Quick Start Guide

VFD Quick Start Guide

Using variable speed/frequency drives on wastewater pumps can be tricky, but if the drives are sized and programmed properly, they…

Related Whitepapers

Five Reasons To Choose A Bearingless Torque Sensor

Benefits that improve your torque measurements Best real-world accuracy Highest Overload Highest Overrange

Advanced Sealing and Condition Monitoring Strategies In Water and Wastewater Plants

Introduction As a plant/maintenance manager or reliability engineer for a water or wastewater facility, you want to know about the best technologies to help your…

Downthrust Measurement in Vertical Pumps Prevents Failure: The Benefits of Measuring Axial Force in Real-Time

“Himmelstein’s Thrustmeter has proven to be accurate and repeatable, which are two of the main things that define quality in an instrument. It’s been a…

Electricity, Power, and Emissions: Using Motor Power Data to Create a Climate-Informed Maintenance Plan

Take Action Today To Make Your Pumps More Efficient Pump motor power levels and energy consumption provide valuable input about the status of and changes…

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *