Tag Archive for: high density

Grit Chambers

Grit chambers are designed to remove sand, gravel, and other heavy inorganic particles from raw wastewater before it enters treatment processes. This step protects downstream equipment — such as pumps, clarifiers, and digesters — from abrasion and mechanical damage caused by suspended solids.

Challenges:
Grit is extremely abrasive and settles quickly, forming dense layers at the bottom of chambers and sumps. Standard pumps often suffer from rapid impeller wear, seal failure, and suction loss due to sediment accumulation. Periodic manual cleanouts are time-consuming, hazardous, and disruptive to operations.

Hevvy/Toyo Solution:
Hevvy/Toyo’s agitator-equipped submersible pumps are ideal for grit removal and chamber cleanouts. The agitator re-suspends settled solids, allowing complete sump evacuation without manual intervention. High-chrome or rubber-lined wet ends resist abrasion, while recessed impellers minimize wear — delivering long-lasting, low-maintenance performance in abrasive wastewater environments.

TiO₂ Production

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) production involves processing titanium-bearing ores through sulfate or chloride methods to produce a white pigment used in coatings, plastics, and paper. The process generates highly abrasive and corrosive slurries containing metal oxides, acids, and fine solids that must be pumped between reaction, filtration, and recovery stages.

Challenges:
TiO₂ slurries are extremely dense and abrasive, causing rapid wear on impellers, casings, and seals. The combination of solids and aggressive chemical content accelerates corrosion, while temperature and viscosity fluctuations make flow control difficult. Downtime for maintenance can severely disrupt continuous production lines.

Solution:
Hevvy/Toyo pumps are built for the harsh dual demands of abrasion and corrosion. With high-chrome or elastomer-lined wet ends, recessed impellers, and optional stainless or alloy materials, they resist both wear and chemical attack. Their agitator technology prevents solids settling in tanks and pipelines, ensuring smooth, consistent slurry handling throughout TiO₂ production.

Mature Fine Tailings (MFT)

Mature fine tailings are a by-product of oil sands extraction, composed of fine clay, silt, water, and residual bitumen. They accumulate in large tailings ponds and require controlled movement for treatment, dewatering, or reclamation processes.

Challenges:
MFT is extremely viscous and thixotropic — it behaves like a solid at rest and a liquid when agitated. Its density and fine particles make it difficult to pump using conventional equipment, leading to frequent plugging, suction loss, and excessive wear. The abrasive nature and variable composition also shorten equipment life and increase downtime.

Solution:
Hevvy/Toyo’s agitator-equipped submersible pumps are engineered to handle high-viscosity, fine-particle slurries like MFT. The built-in agitator re-suspends solids, preventing settling and maintaining consistent flow. With hardened wet ends, recessed impellers, and high-chrome or elastomer linings, Hevvy/Toyo pumps provide reliable, low-maintenance performance in one of the toughest applications in the oil sands industry.

Foil Production Sumps

Foil production involves rolling aluminum or steel into thin sheets using large quantities of coolant and lubricants. Sumps beneath rolling mills collect these fluids along with metal fines and debris, which must be efficiently pumped out for filtration and reuse.

Challenges:
Coolant sumps accumulate fine metallic particles and oils that form dense sludge and emulsions. These mixtures can cause pump clogging, seal wear, and cavitation. Because foil production demands clean environments, overflow or downtime due to pump failure can disrupt production quality and safety.

Solution:
Hevvy/Toyo’s submersible pumps with recessed impellers and optional agitators are designed to handle metal fines, oil-laden fluids, and viscous slurries. Their heavy-duty seals and material options resist emulsions and abrasion, ensuring reliable operation and clean sump management. With low maintenance and strong solids-handling capability, they help keep foil lines running efficiently and continuously.

Bottom Pumps

Bottom pumps are used to remove heavy residues or slurries that settle at the bottom of storage tanks, separators, or process vessels. These materials often include sediment, sand, or sludge that must be cleared to maintain system efficiency and prevent buildup.

Challenges:
The main challenge lies in the high density and abrasiveness of settled materials. Conventional pumps often fail to pick up settled solids, leading to accumulation and manual cleaning. Limited access inside tanks also makes maintenance and replacement difficult.

Solution:
Hevvy/Toyo’s submersible bottom pumps with integrated agitators can lift and transport settled solids directly from the tank floor. Their rugged construction and wear-resistant impellers handle heavy slurries effortlessly. The compact, portable design allows quick deployment for cleaning or continuous service — reducing downtime and extending tank life.