Form V372, Rev. 12
- 3 -
12/18, ECN4334
SECTION 2: DESCRIPTION OF THE VAUGHAN
ROTAMIX™ SYSTEM
The Vaughan Rotamix™ system is a proprietary (patent 7,025,492) mixing system designed to mix
cylindrical, egg-shaped, or rectangular sludge storage tanks or digesters with greater mixing efficiency
and lower power requirements than some other systems that have been traditionally used.
The Rotamix™ system consists of one or more Vaughan chopper pumps pumping through a customer-
supplied piping system to one or more Vaughan-supplied nozzle assemblies.
The glass-lined ductile iron nozzle assemblies are typically floor-mounted, dual-nozzle systems, but can
also be single nozzle systems (generally in rectangular tanks). In a cylindrical storage tank and with
dual nozzle assemblies, the lower nozzle is aimed more toward the center of the tank, while the upper
nozzle is aimed to create more tangential rotation.
Nozzle aiming must be done per Vaughan
instructions once nozzle assembly installation is complete but before the storage tank is closed up.
Please contact your local representative for aiming the nozzles. Nozzles normally cannot be aimed
remotely on floor-mounted systems.
A layout drawing of the Rotamix™ system (showing nozzle location and nozzle angles within the tank)
is included in your custom Installation, Operation and Maintenance Manual package for your particular
project.
SECTION 3: INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
A. RECEIPT INSPECTION
Description of pump receipt inspection is described in the IO&M Manual for the Vaughan chopper
pump. You should also inspect the nozzle assemblies received for the Rotamix™ system to make sure
they have arrived undamaged. Your best indication of potential shipping damage to equipment is the
condition of the crating. If the crating is damaged, look for cracked fittings and clamps or damaged
paint,
report damage to your carrier.
Vaughan Co. can also work with you to provide replacement
fittings as needed.
B. STORAGE CONSIDERATIONS
The epoxy paint on the nozzle assembly is susceptible to damage from prolonged UV exposure. If
nozzle assemblies are to be stored for more than two weeks prior to installation they must be either
stored indoors or covered. If nozzle assemblies will be exposed to sunlight for more than two weeks
after installation they should be covered.
C. INSTALLATION
The Vaughan chopper pump is to be installed as described in the pump IO&M Manual. Note however,
that the Rotamix
TM
system reason for being is to achieve improved efficiency over your previous mixing
systems. Therefore the Rotamix
TM
system piping design should minimize friction losses through the
suction and discharge piping. This means using suction and discharge piping dimensions as shown on
your system outline drawing.
For best results choose piping size so that velocity is around 3-5 ft/sec. for suction piping and no more
than 8 ft/sec for discharge piping. This is fast enough to avoid particle settling in the piping, but slow
enough to minimize friction losses. Vaughan Co. will help you with your system design. Please consult
us to be sure your system works as intended.
Use of smaller diameter piping than recommended results in higher velocities, increased friction
loss, and less effective tank mixing.
Smaller diameter piping may lead to troublesome gas-binding problems in the mix pump because of
decreased pressure at the pump suction that tends to liberate volatile gases from the pumped fluid.
Gas binding in the pump can result in complete loss of flow and low motor amps. If the pump is gas
bound, even though the pump is turning, no mixing will be taking place. To restore flow stop the pump
and vent all the trapped gas out of the pump casing before restarting the pump.
