Visy Packaging solves wastewater pumping problems

Visy Packaging has a state-of the-art drink-can manufacturing plant in Stapylton, Queensland. It employs over 50 people and produces export-quality cans for local and overseas markets. The company was, however, having some reliability issues with its submersible wastewater pumps. After many years of trying to solve the issue, Paul Carter (Engineering Manager – Beverage and Food Can) spoke to one of his contractors, who suggested he look at Gorman-Rupp self-priming wastewater pumps, which had been successfully installed at the Pacific Fair shopping centre.

Carter instantly saw the benefit of this style of pump equipment due to them being surface mounted and their maintenance and reliability benefits. Being surface mounted meant they would be easier to access for monitoring and service. He said that “the Submersibles couldn’t pump against back pressure and wouldn’t allow us to change the design, but the Gorman Rupp units have allowed us to achieve that, and we now have no issues with our system”.

The most suitable pump for the Visy application was the Gorman-Rupp T2A65-B. This is a 50 mm self-priming trash pump, which is capable of self-priming to depths of 7.5 m and able to handle solid particles up to 38 mm in diameter and also stringy materials such as rags. If anything too big gets into the pump, it has a large inspection cover-plate for operators to access the pump interior.

The Gorman-Rupp T2 is able to deliver flows up to 10 L/s, but larger pumps in the range are capable of flows to 200 L/s. Pumps also come in various materials of construction to cope with abrasive and/or corrosive wastewater.