Any pumping system that is critical to the operation of public works infrastructure requires some kind of backup system in case power is lost. There are several options, each with unique considerations.

1. BACKUP POWER FOR EMERGENCY PUMPING
Brian Gongol
DJ Gongol & Associates, Inc.
June 8, 2017
Iowa WEA Annual Conference
Ottumwa, Iowa

2. Here comes the rain again

3. If you have to pump, you need backup power

4. Causes of power outages

5. Ice storms

6. System overloads

7. Routine accidents

8. Thunderstorms

9. What happens in a thunderstorm?

10. I&I (or high combined flows)

11. You need power most when it's easiest to lose

12. Six power options

13. 1. Redundant grid access

14. 2. Fixed electric generators

15. 3. Portable electric generators

16. 4. Fixed engines

17. 5. PTO

18. 6. Portable pumps

19. Storage also matters

20. Does storage give you time to act?

21. We'll come back to storage later

22. Option #1: Redundant grid access

23. Ten States permits "independent substations"

24. Power systems very expensive to install

25. Independent grids, but common threats

26. Ice storms

27. High winds and hail

28. High temperatures

29. All tend to hit a broad geography

30. Of no help at all in case of mechanical failure

31. Requires switching equipment

32. Option #2: Fixed generators

33. Common practice to mount at station sites

34. May be interior or exterior to station

35. Requires transfer switching

36. Expensive to install

37. Not usually integrated with the pump station
Affects cost to install and integrate
Affects maintenance friendliness (especially if outdoors)

38. Security, vandalism, & aesthetic considerations

39. Sizing risk: You don't want it too small

40. Sizing risk: You don't want to pay for too much

41. Often requires a large footprint

42. Roughly doubles this station footprint

43. Requires fuel storage or supply

44. May require spill containment

45. Requires regular exercise and maintenance

46. Operates non-stop on power failure
Creates non-stop noise
Consumes fuel
Can create heat and other byproducts

47. Option #3: Portable generators/gen sets

48. Problem: Travel can be difficult when needed

49. Sacrificing manpower at critical times

50. Can consume a lot of fuel

51. May require lots of shuttling or babysitting

52. May be useful for other applications

53. Can be very loud

54. May be time-consuming to activate

55. Requires routine exercise and maintenance

56. Requires parts, training, and service

57. Requires storage

58. Transportation considerations
How big?
How heavy?
How towable?
What kind of skid/wheel kit/trailer?

59. Fuel may go bad

60. Not helpful in a lightning strike

61. Operates continuously even when pumps don't
Not an "efficient" approach
in the strict sense of the word

62. Option #4: Fixed engines

63. Double-shafted motor with a clutch

64. Fixed-engine backup configuration

65. Fixed-engine backup configuration

66. Fixed-engine backup configuration

67. Fixed-engine backup configuration

68. Fixed-engine backup configuration

69. Fixed-engine backup configuration

70. Fully integrated unit - no transfer switch

71. Can use natural gas, LP, or other fuels

72. Highly compact, fully secure footprint

73. All O&M conducted indoors; no outdoor work

74. Buildings can reduce noise

75. Can be made "neighborhood-friendly"

76. Single-engine or multiple-engine configs

77. Little or no field wiring required

78. Usually employs dual AC/DC controls

79. Battery on trickle charger supplies controls

80. Engine shuts down when not in use

81. Tamper-proof and vandalism-resistant

82. Should be factory-designed and tested

83. Only option that can be fully factory-tested

84. Option #5: PTO

85. Useful in select applications

86. Handy if tractors are in widespread use

87. May work mainly with lineshaft pumps

88. Option #6: Portable pumps

89. Simple version: Drop hoses in a hole

90. Better version: Built-in bypass connections

91. Most complex: Self-contained portable station

92. Consider noise abatement

93. Consider fuel storage

94. Consider fuel choice, too (gas vs diesel)

95. The pump will need storage, too

96. Some require babysitting

97. Some supplied with full control packages

98. Best if station accommodates quick activation

99. Least amount of total equipment required

100. Requires operator time and effort to start
REMEMBER:
By the time you get the call,
you're probably already
in an alarm condition
-- and that's before travel time

101. May have multipurpose use

102. May be only option for a flooded station

103. Portable station, semi-permanent placement

104. Consider transportation issues
 Carry in back of a truck?
 Lift by hand?
 Skid-mounted?
 Trailer-mounted?
 Highway trailer?

105. Consider cold-weather operation
 Do you want to work on this in the cold?
 Will a diesel engine work?
 Can you get to every site in a snowstorm?

106. Reliability is critical: Plan around "PEAT"
Pump
Engine
Accessories
Transportation

107. Storage capacity also matters!

108. A common mistake: Under-sizing the wetwell

109. Wetwell capacity isn't linear with diameter

110. 5' of storage in 6' diameter: 1,055 gallons

111. 5' of storage in 8' diameter: 1,880 gallons

112. 5' of storage in 10' diameter: 2,937 gallons

113. A larger wetwell rarely changes O&M costs

114. But what about the wetwell going septic?

115. Anti-septic solution #1: Mixers

116. Anti-septic solution #2: Cyclical aeration

117. Anti-septic solution #3: Pumping cycles

118. Anti-septic solution #4: Chemicals/microbes

119. Overflow basins/storage

120. Be aware of what's stored in gravity sewers

121. Hundreds of gallons can be hidden

122. May cause extraordinary pumpdown times

123. Also note what's stored in the force main

124. Not useful for emergency operations

125. But important to total system operation

126. To recap
 Consider all six options:
 Redundant grid access
 Fixed electric generators
 Portable electric generators
 Fixed engines
 PTO
 Portable pumps
 Up-front cost doesn't tell the full story -- at all
 Each option has its place

127. Sources
 Radar map of March 6, 2017 severe weather from NOAA
 Map of derecho event in 2014 from NOAA:
 http://www.spc.noaa.gov/misc/AbtDerechos/casepa
ges/jun302014page.htm#
 All other photos and illustrations are the original work of
the author, the author's company, or Gorman-Rupp
 All rights reserved; reproduction prohibited without
written consent

128. Thanks for your attention
Contact us anytime with questions
Brian Gongol - DJ Gongol & Associates
515-223-4144
brian@gongol.net