7 Things to Know

Before Purchasing a

Trash Raking System

What We Are Going To Cover

• What a trash raking system is

• Questions to ask a trash rake supplier about

equipment, installation and operation

• How to select the best trash raking system

What is a Trash Raking System?

• Automates cleaning facilities for plants using large water volume

• Removes debris that escapes water screens

• Prevents damage caused by debris to turbines or pumping stations

• Increases efficiency

• Safer system for employees

• Replaces manual cleaning of racks

How Was Manual Cleaning Performed?

• Used a winch and cable system dropped to bottom of

rack then winched up

• Atlas Polar developed system to do job automatically

‣ Removes health and safety problems

‣ Increases efficiency

‣ Works 24/7

What Questions Are Asked of New ClientsInterested in Trash Raking System?

• Get a feel for what client has at plant

• Size of intake

‣ Atlas Polar equipment can handle any length

of intake

‣ Multiple units may be required for larger plants

• Depth of intake

‣ Multiple units for different depths

‣ Different strength booms

What Questions Are Asked of New ClientsInterested in Trash Raking System?

• Rack angle

‣ Equipment set to run parallel with racks

‣ Important for unit efficiency

• Photos required

‣ For visual of facility

• Debris type and weight

‣ Variety of models suited for specific types of debris

• Water flow

How is Water Flow Important?

• Use solid boom with attached rake head into water up to

depths of 70 feet

• Water velocity creates large force against boom

• Use high, tense style steel for force resistance

• Important to have right equipment based on site conditions

• Size important for longevity of equipment

• Expected to perform for minimum of 25 years

What Are Some of the Different Types of Debris?

• Depending on location

‣ Logs

‣ Leaves

‣ Sea grass

• Adjust rake head according to debris

type increases dumping action

• Modifications for efficiency relative

to debris

What Type of Facility Would Use a Trash Raking System?

• Any facility that uses high volumes of water

‣ Irrigation

‣ Hydro electric plants

‣ Pumping stations

‣ Waste water treatment systems

• Any facility that requires fresh clean water

• Debris needs to be removed and screens cleaned

Questions Facility Should Ask To Determine Best System for Them

• Experience of supplier

• Credibility of equipment in field

• How equipment is operated

‣ Atlas Polar offers manual and automated

equipment

• Level of automation

• Methods of starting equipment

Questions Facility Should Ask To Determine Best System for Them

• Cycle time efficiency

• Number of units required

• Capability during different seasons

• How debris is handled either by operator

or conveyance system

• Does unit hold debris after collection

Example of Hydro Facility Requiring Trash Raking System

• Wants to know where equipment

has been used

• How long in operation

Example of Hydro Facility Requiring Trash Raking System

• Atlas Polar introduced first trash raking system 30 years ago

‣ Telescopic boom type

‣ Modifications over years based on customer feed back

‣ Design continued to improve

‣ Has 400+ installations in USA

‣ Compatible for all climate conditions found in North America

‣ Installations in coastal salt water

‣ Performs well in temperature fluctuations of different locations

‣ High altitude climates, no problem

‣ Handles all debris types

What Models are Available for a Hydro Electric Facility?

• Two models applicable for majority of hydro electric plants

‣ Single boom model uses high tensile 4x4 steel boom

‣ Single, double, triple stage boom for different depths

‣ Height clearance requirements

‣ Can move 1,500 pounds

‣ Handles 36 feet rake travel depth

‣ Ideal for run of the river hydro plants generating 2-10

megawatts electricity with water depth 15-25 feet

What Models are Available for a Hydro Electric Facility?

‣ DT9300 double boom system

‣ Increased lifting capacity

‣ Can move 4,000 pounds of lift

‣ Widened rake lift to 6ft for large

log and heavy debris removal

‣ Increased depth to 70 feet

‣ Ideal for plants generating 10-50

megawatts with water depth

55-60 feet

What is the level of automation a Purchaser Should Look For?

• Atlas Polar has focused on

‣ New technology and upgrades

‣ Focused on customer needs

• Customers require automation

‣ Can be done with timer

‣ Calendar scheduling

What is the level of automation a Purchaser Should Look For?

• Most efficient is level differential measures water pressure

on one side of racks and compared to other side

‣ Indicates amount of debris in screen

‣ Built in sensors alert plant operator cleaning is required

‣ Single is triggered to automatically clean intake

What Questions Should Be Asked About Control Mechanisms?

• How much operator involvement is required

• Some equipment on market requires full operator attention

• Other types fully automated no operator involvement

• Some types run semi automatic with some operator

involvement required

• Need to determine

‣ If operator is available

‣ Or requires full automation

What Questions Should Be Asked About Hydraulic System?

• Want to know you have hydraulic in water

‣ Spill and leaks could be a concern

‣ System should be outside of water

‣ Should have spill containment plan

within system

• What kind of hydraulic oil is required

‣ Should be bio degradable

• Should have safety system

How Does Client Know What Lift Capacity They Will Need?

• Need to rely on supplier experience based

on location and water flow

• Supplier based knowledge on similar

facilities and environment

How Important is Cycle Time?

• Peak season most important time

• One system should handle all seasons for depth and width

requirements

• Heavy peak periods may require multiple units on intake

• Determine number of times each section of intake is raked

• How fast is build-up occurring

• Key is to maintain efficiency and maximize water flow

• Cycle time determines time needed for cleaning intakes

What Happens When System Can’t Handle Debris in Peak Season?

• Determine if possible to operate two or

more systems at same time

• Must be able to maintain water through

racks at all times

• Have options to add more units if

necessary

What Happens to the Raked Debris?

• Multiple options to handle debris

‣ Conveyance systems

‣ Depends on state regulations

‣ Dispose at composting facility

• Some options include rake holds debris to dispose of in bins

‣ Creates down times for rakes

• Debris left on decks for manual removal

• Conveyance best option for increased cycle time allows more options

More Information

• Please go to:

www.atlaspolar.com/trash-rake/