FAQ's

Pumps are essential to the successful running of a biogas plant, wastewater treatment plant or agricultural operation. Whether transporting feedstock ‘soup’ into an anaerobic digester (AD), transferring viscous dewatered sludge, or pumping slurries over distance, it’s important that you choose a pump which is robust, reliable, energy efficient and fit for purpose.

The wrong pump selection can result in blockages and failures, causing operational downtime, damage to pumps, pipework and downstream equipment, and costly repairs and replacements.

These four common pump types each have their own specific benefits. To find out which one is right for you, read below or contact us for more information.

Progressive cavity (PC) pumps – Virtually pulsation-free, PC pumps use a rotor/stator pumping action to deliver a continuous, stable flow. They are particularly good at handling very thick, viscous products with a high dry solids content (DM%), such as food waste. They are known for being robust, long lasting and heavy duty.

Lobe pumps – Similar to PC pumps, lobe pumps work at high pressure and can handle thick material. Possessing excellent suction capabilities, they can also pump efficiently over distance. They boast a smaller footprint which makes them easier to house and maintain. They are commonly used at on-farm AD plants, for example.

Submersible pumps – Ideal for pumping less viscous material at high volume/low pressure, such as dirty water. As their name suggests, submersible pumps are submerged in the bottom of a tank or lagoon within the liquid medium, which can make access a challenge. This can be overcome by the use of guard rails, for example as seen in the Eisele AT range of submersible mixers.

Centrifugal pumps – Thanks to their simple design, centrifugal pumps are hardwearing and rarely leak. Most suited to high volume, low pressure applications, they are ideal for transporting liquids.

Within a pump, the rotor and the stator are the ‘wearing’ elements, making these the parts that need replacing most frequently. The rotor is made of metal and the stator is made of rubber, so the stator needs to be changed more often. At an average UK biogas plant, a pump’s stator will require replacing every 6-18 months depending on the medium.

The lifespan of a rotor depends on various factors, including but not limited to:

• the material it’s pumping and how abrasive/corrosive it is; 
• pressure; 
• velocity; 
• the volume of material being pumped; 
• hours of operation 
• acidity  
• temperature  

Quality OEM spare parts will last much longer than generic spares, and will ensure your original warranty remains intact, too.  

For our full list of spare parts, click here. 

This is one of the most common questions we get asked.

When looking at the stator, you should see that one end is flat and the other end is conical/funneled. It’s important to remember that the product enters via the ‘funnel’ side.

To see our range of stators, click here.

To ensure your pump works efficiently, it must be suited to the application for which it is intended. To do this, you must understand the product to be pumped, and the process in question. For example, is your material viscous, solid, semi-solid or liquid? What is its pH level? Does it contain abrasive particles? Will it need to be pumped to height, require suction from depth or transferred over distance? Understanding these factors will ensure the correct pump selection is made at the outset. 

It is then important that the pump is adequately maintained. Follow manufacturer’s guidelines and ensure that planned maintenance is worked into your operational schedule ahead of time. When wear parts need replacing, only purchase genuine OEM spares from certified distributors to ensure performance isn’t impacted by lower quality, generic alternatives. 

Finally, build relations with a trusted local supplier to ensure that, should an unexpected incident occur, you are able to source immediate delivery of replacement OEM parts, thereby keeping downtime to a minimum. 

For our full list of genuine OEM WANGEN and Eisele spares, click here.  

Replacing original, high quality wear parts such as rotors and stators with lower quality generic alternatives will detrimentally affect both the performance and lifespan of your pump, mixer or agitator, hindering the overall operation of your biogas plant, agri facility or wastewater treatment plant. 

Using non-genuine or poorly matched parts can lead to: 

• Reduced efficiency 
• Unexpected equipment failure 
• Increased maintenance costs 
• Unplanned downtime 

OEM spare parts have been specifically designed and tested for use in the demanding and challenging applications commonly seen in the biogas, wastewater and agri industries. Here are some of the reasons why purchasing OEM parts from certified distributors is the best choice for your business: 

• Designed to match: OEM parts have been specifically engineered to work seamlessly with your existing equipment, ensuring no operational hiccups. 
• Longevity as standard: Both material and design will have been constructed with your demanding environment at its heart, ensuring your OEM spare lasts far longer than a generic part. 
• Operational efficiency: Increased reliability means more uptime, resulting in greater efficiency for your entire operation. 
• Peace of mind: Full manufacturer warranty and support mean you can get on with the job of running your business. 

Add in customer testimonial: Frances Mollatt/Chris Woolcock

Agrico is the ONLY official UK distributor for WANGEN and Eisele, meaning you receive only the finest OEM German parts direct from our base here in Staffordshire, UK – with next-day delivery as standard. 

Contact us to place your order.