EPG was approached by an engineer from Wisconsin in the late 1980's to find or develop a pump for a new landfill design that utilized side slope riser pipes in Indiana. This was in anticipation of more stringent regulations expected to take effect soon (Subtitle D).
After analyzing the problem, EPG designed a pump with skids, so either horizontal or inclined operation was possible. By ensuring that the leachate was drawn past the motor, EPG prevented the pump from overheating.
The design was used but complaints from the field said installing the pump was akin to "pushing a chain down the street". The design was rethought and four wheels were put at each end (90° spacing). This allowed the pump to roll easily down the riser pipe and into the sump.
These innovations led EPG to apply for and receive US Patents #4,966,534 and #4,992,030. These patents cover the level sensor mounted along the central axis of the sump drainer and the sump drainer supplied as a sealed unit.
The sump drainer design is simple, yet effective. Since the unit is sealed, all the leachate is drawn through the bottom intake screen, past the motor and into the pump's intake. The pump is controlled by a submersible level sensor that will turn the pump on and off by sensing the liquid level above the sensor. The sump drainer is equipped with a "vent valve" to vent any air present in the sump drainer and to prevent air lock.
EPG has always been sensitive to comments from the people who use the equipment. These comments have led to several improvements in the design. The first improvement was to replace the retainer clips with retainer pins to better hold the wheels on the axles. The next improvement added durability to the vent valve hose barb by changing it from nylon to stainless steel. Another improvement was to reinforce the wheel assemblies to better support the weight of larger pumps. We then increased the sump drainer wheel diameter for better clearance at HDPE welds in riser pipes. A small diameter Sump Drainer was developed for 6" PVC pipe applications. Finally new impellers were designed for better efficiency.
The addition of a level sensor mount permitted removal and replacement of the sensor without dismantling the sump drainer. Recently, a center-mounted level sensor became available on vertical models as well.
EPG continues to improve upon design and manufacturing processes to bring you the highest quality, longest lasting equipment available.