A leading UK engineering firm approached SNP for a tailored solution to clean six wastewater tanks at a wastewater treatment facility. This project formed part of their client’s programme of enhancing wastewater quality across its treatment sites.
The tanks measured 10m x 34m, with depths ranging from 2.4m at the shallow end to 3.5m at the deep end, providing a favourable drainage gradient. The wastewater treatment engineers faced a number of challenges, however, particularly the accumulation of solid residues on the tank walls and floor that were more substantial than in normal storm tanks. A solution was required that would provide a robust clean while minimising the time spent on the cleaning process.
In addition, the engineering company wanted to confirm the proposed StormBlaster™ solution would not cause any damage to the recently repaired tank floor and walls.
Challenges
Retrofitting: Solution must fit existing infrastructure without disrupting operations.
Nozzle positioning: Tanks were open and large, requiring innovative mounting.
Excess solids: More residue than typical storm tanks, needing stronger cleaning.
Minimal cleaning time: Reduce time without compromising quality.
Preserve repairs: Avoid damage to recently repaired floors and walls.
Accessibility: Maintenance from outside the tank to avoid costly entry.
Tank Specifications
- Shape: Rectangular
- Length: 34 m
- Width: 10 m
- Height: 2.4–3.5 m
The Solution
SNP’s engineering team developed an efficient cleaning system using StormBlaster technology, dividing
each of the six tanks into three "virtual" tanks with three StormBlaster units each.
To enhance accessibility and facilitate equipment placement, SNP incorporated walkways between tanks 1
& 2, 3 & 4, and 5 & 6, ensuring easy access to all tanks and attachment points for the StormBlasters.
Typically, the StormBlaster is best positioned in the centre of the area to be cleaned, but due to the open
nature of the tanks, this was not feasible. SNP proposed the use of swing arms, which were attached to the
tank walls and could rotate 90° to position the nozzles as close as possible to the middle of the tanks during
cleaning and be folded back flush with the walls when not in use.
The StormBlasters usually operate sequentially, one at a time to optimise pump size and minimise costs.
However, with a large pump already available on-site, the client chose to run all three cleaning heads
simultaneously per tank, significantly reducing cleaning cycles without sacrificing performance.
Product Details
StormBlaster™
- 18 units, 180° down nozzles
- 2 × 12 mm nozzles
- 316 stainless steel
- Tested to 10 bar
Performance:
- Jet length: 17 m
- Flow rate: 315 l/min
- Cycle time: 26 min
- Water per cycle: 8,190 l
- Total for 18 nozzles: 24,570 l
Swing Arms:
- 18 units, 316 stainless steel, 600 mm drop
- Full welding certification
- Tested to 15 bar
Results
The implementation of SNP’s innovative solution delivered the following benefits:
- Thorough cleaning: The use of StormBlaster with swing arms ensured a highperformance
clean that addressed the excess solid residue in the tanks. - Reduced cleaning time: The simultaneous operation of all three cleaning heads
significantly reduced the time required to clean each tank - Protection of tank infrastructure: The thoughtful design and controlled water jet
application safeguarded the recently repaired tank surfaces from damage. - Operational efficiency: The retrofitted solution integrated seamlessly with the
existing infrastructure, minimising disruptions to ongoing operations.
Conclusion
SNP’s expertise in scoping and designing StormBlaster systems, combined with the proven StormBlaster
technology, effectively met the objectives of the engineering company and its client. By providing a tailored,
efficient solution, SNP ensured thorough cleaning, reduced downtime and protected the integrity of the
recently repaired tank surfaces. The project successfully aligned with the client’s goals for enhancing
wastewater treatment while minimising operational disruption and cleaning time.