_O & M MANUAL - WEST LANE MOBILE HOME PARK

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agitate sludge roughly or it will break up and rise to water level. If this happens, the floating sludge must be dipped back into the aeration chamber for further treatment. After the plant begins to "work", this procedure may be reduced to a weekly or even bi- weekly practice as the operator may determine from experience. The solids, being heavier than water will normally settle to the hopper bottom. If the sludge pump is not returning at least "one-third of a pipe full" into the aeration tank, the slower movement of solids will tend to allow the solids to pack in the one-foot square area at the hopper bottom and pump intake. Finally the solids begin to build up inside the pump tube until it is blocked completely. This may be remedied by shutting off the air supply to all other airlifts on the package plant and completely opening the air control valve to the airlift sludge pump. If the blockage isn't removed, then the pipe plug at the "tee" must be removed. The horizontal discharge pipe should be closed off with the valves or at the tee with a shop rag or plumber's stopper to divert the air downward through the vertical pump tube to back-flush the airlift pump. The great volume of air should break up the solid rnass that has built up. The chunks that rise to the top must be dipped back into the aeration tank or broken up into small pieces to be returned by the skimmer. During construction and starting, very often mud is allowed to flow into the plant. When mud gets into a plant, the part that gets into the clarifier will naturally sink to the hopper bottoms. Here it mixes with the sludge and forms a heavier and more solid mass than sludge alone. The sludge return pumps will not pump heavy mud. Pushing the scraper all the way to the hopper bottom and then removing it gently may detect mud. If mud is present, its depth or density may be determined by this probing action with the scraper. If the mud is not too heavy, it may be removed by stirring the hopper bottom, trying to rnix mud with tank water. The pump may pump it out as muddy water. However, if the mud is too deep or too heavy, the clarifier may have to be pumped with a power pump and the rnud cleaned out by hand. if the vertical pump tube becomes clogged with mud it may be necessary to remove the three inch pipe plug at the "tee" and rod out the tube. Care should be taken to see that airlines to the pumps do not become clogged or restricted by sludge or mud that might back up through the pump tube. If this occurs the airlines and fittings must be removed and cleaned out. After any cleaning or unstopping operation, be sure to set air valves for normal operations. REMEMBER - A clean, properly cared for plant means fewer repairs and more efficient operation. 2 pus-a&m-sF.main.startup-I-