Thames Water Specifies Mono® Nov Muncher

The high performance TR Muncher from Mono® NOV, Europe`s leading designer and manufacturer of pumps, parts, grinders, screens and packaged systems, has been installed by Thames Water to improve efficiency at Bracknell Sewage Treatment Works by preventing pump blockages and minimising down time.

Bracknell Sewage Treatment works is one of Thames Water`s 349 sewage treatment facilities. It features seven primary sludge tanks, which, due to the high rag content of the sludge, caused frequent maintenance, cleaning and equipment repair.

To provide a solution to this problem, Thames Water specified Mono`s TR Muncher, which macerates heavy solids and rags to a small particle size to protect the plant`s process equipment.

The installation of the TR Muncher, together with the re-location of the existing Mono Munchers on the site, was undertaken by Mono`s Projects and Installation team, and included mechanical and electric installation, commissioning and handover.

Amanda Stern, Bracknell Area Team Manager, commented on the project: "We specified Mono for a number of reasons; not only did they come on recommendation from an internal source at Thames, but to us, the company is tried and tested, we know their products offer a solution and we are more than happy with the level of performance they deliver.

"Throughout the installation project the Mono installation team had everything under control, including health and safety and keeping the site tidy. I would happily use them again and would willingly recommend their services to my colleagues."

The TR Muncher, which has a capacity range of 0-500m3/h raw sewage, features the latest generation of twin shaft grinders and is designed specifically for the efficient treatment of abrasive sludges.

The differential speed of the cutter stacks pulls apart fibrous material, whilst the leading edge and sides of the cutter teeth crop and shear other materials such as plastic into small pieces. The circumferential `land` of the cutter crushes friable or brittle material.

The layback cutter shafts on the TR Muncher are set at an angle to the incoming flow. This more effective design allows the Muncher to capture irregular shaped objects and, if a reverse cycle occurs, the object is automatically dropped into the built-in trash trap, which is set clear of and below the cutter stacks, retaining the solids away from the cutters.