Proper management of stormwater in the oil sector is essential to ensure safety, operational continuity, and compliance with environmental regulations. In facilities with storage tanks for petroleum products, rainwater that accumulates in containment basins can be contaminated with hydrocarbons and suspended solids: therefore, reliable pumps are needed, suitable for dirty fluids and potentially explosive environments.
Varisco self-priming centrifugal pumps are successfully used by a client company specializing in the handling and storage of petroleum and energy products for major Italian maritime companies. Aquageo supported the client in selecting and supplying the most suitable model for emptying contaminated stormwater.
The client's challenge: emptying containment basins with dirty and polluted water
The company needed to manage:
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dirty and contaminated stormwater collected in containment basins under petroleum product tanks;
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flow rates ranging from 60 to 140 m³/h, with head dependent on system backpressure;
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a fluid with suspended solids and possible pollutants;
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continuous and safe operation in ATEX zones, avoiding clogs, pump deactivation, and plant shutdowns.
To address these issues, the Varisco series J self-priming centrifugal pumps were selected.
The solution proposed by Aquageo: Varisco series J self-priming centrifugal pumps
For emptying containment basins under storage tanks, the company uses the Varisco Series J – model JX 4-160 P10 ST20 BASE pump, compliant with the ATEX directive.
These pumps:
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draw polluted and dirty stormwater from containment basins;
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load from below the buffer storage tanks, from which the fluid is then sent to the purifier;
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operate with variable head, with flow rate regulated through a discharge valve;
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handle fluids with suspended solids, typical of stormwater in industrial and oil contexts.
Application characteristics
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Flow rate: 60–140 m³/h
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Fluid: dirty and contaminated rainwater
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Discharge pressure: +0.5 / 1.5 bar
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Flow rate regulation: discharge valve
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Operating environment: potentially explosive zone (ATEX)
Self-priming, above-ground installation, and simplified maintenance
The choice of Varisco self-priming pumps allows:
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installation of the pumps above ground, dry, with variable height relative to the basin;
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operation even without a foot valve, reducing the risk of clogging and deactivation;
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reduction of plant shutdowns, thanks to reliable operation with dirty fluids;
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easier maintenance interventions due to installation outside the fluid and coupling with standardized IEC motors.
These aspects are particularly important in a critical context like the oil sector, where accessibility, quick intervention, and safety are key elements.
The benefits for the client company
The adoption of Varisco series J self-priming pumps, supplied by Aquageo, allowed the client to achieve:
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Safe and efficient management of contaminated stormwater, with effective emptying of containment basins.
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Increased plant reliability, thanks to the ability to work with dirty fluids and variable head without deactivation issues.
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ATEX compliance and enhanced operational safety in potentially explosive environments.
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Reduced downtime and maintenance costs, thanks to dry installation and the use of standardized IEC motors.
The use of self-priming centrifugal pumps dedicated to managing contaminated stormwater allows the company to keep the plant efficient, safe, and compliant with environmental regulations.