Water & Wastewater 15.04.2026

Pump Technology for the Emschermündung Wastewater Treatment Plant

CHALLENGE

What should be achieved?

Until now, rotary lobe pumps have been used almost exclusively in the primary sludge pumping station.

Since the KLEM was originally a river wastewater treatment plant and, following the construction of the Emscher Sewer (AKE) and the new mechanical treatment facilities, no longer draws waste-water from the Emscher River, the composition of the wastewater has changed significantly.

To plan the new mechanical treatment system and the primary sludge pumping station, assumptions regarding the sludge load in the primary treatment stage had to be made in advance. In practice, however, a discrepancy emerged between the calculated loads and the actual loads. The rotary lobe pumps were no longer the optimal choice at this stage of the treatment process.

SOLUTION

What was the solution?

The new pump solution was developed through collaboration with Allweiler. Frank Kahnert (Area Sales Manager) and Sascha Illhardt (Technical Sales) from Allweiler visited the wastewater treatment plant to assess the situation firsthand and worked with Dominik Potdevin, KLEM’s plant engineer, to develop a customized proposal.

From the very beginning, the customer was integrated into the entire process: After the decision to use Allweiler pumps had been made, Mr. Potdevin visited the Allweiler plant in Bottrop to observe the assembly of the pumps, which were manufactured specifically for the wastewater treatment plant.

In April 2024, four Allweiler AEB2E1450-IE/014G0K YLW 113A P eccentric screw pumps were finally installed at the Emschermündung wastewater treatment plant.

These pumps are specifically designed for use in waste-water treatment plants and, thanks to their design – in-cluding the correct speed, series, and a highly wear-resistant version of the Alldur® stator with a ductile, hard-chromed rotor – offer a longer service life. As a result, wear was reduced and the service life of the pumps was more than doubled.

One of the four identical Allweiler AEB2E 1450-IE eccentric screw pumps. These pumps operate in a redundant configuration to handle primary / raw sludge at a flow rate of 20–40 m³/h at 103–193 rpm. The maximum pressure is 10 bar, and the solids content is 6% dry matter.

Result

Continuation of successful cooperation

The results regarding the service life and operational reliability of the Allweiler pumps led to another order: In March 2025, the wastewater treatment plant ordered four additional pumps.

The system was put back into operation – with detailed on-site planning carried out by Allweiler employees Frank Kahnert (Area Sales Manager) and Markus Döweling (Technical Sales).

This time, the bearing bracket design was chosen because the pumps originally installed were difficult to maintain due to their installation configuration. The new model significantly simplifies maintenance.

Four additional AE 2E1450-IE/014G0K YLW 113A P eccentric screw pumps were installed, which now also contribute to sludge conveyance at the wastewater treat-ment plant.

Pump Technology for the Emschermündung Wastewater Treatment Plant

What's the story about?

What should be achieved?

What was the solution?

Continuation of successful cooperation