A host of Tsurumi pumps have contributed to The D.C. Clean Rivers
Project in Washington, D.C., a massive infrastructure project that will
capture the combined sewer overflows (CSOs) that are wreaking havoc on
the region’s waterways. The project involves the construction of four
tunnels that will divert the CSOs for wastewater treatment before they
reach the capital city’s rivers.

The first phase of the ambitious program was the Blue Plains Tunnel
Project, where Tsurumi pumps were at the center of the action. A massive
excavation was needed to construct the 23,600 ft tunnel that measures 23
ft in diameter and runs more than 100 ft below the surface. The completed
tunnel extends from the Blue Plains Wastewater Treatment Plant past Joint
Base Anacostia-Bolling to a main pumping station on the north bank of the
Anacostia River, just south of Nationals Park. Nine types of Tsurumi pumps
removed water and moisture from the tunnel as crews constructed the
piping system that now diverts the harmful CSOs.

J&K Equipment, based in Glenelg, Maryland, was the pump distributor
responsible for supplying dewatering pumps and overseeing operations
during the tunnel’s excavation. Jeff McKissack, vice president of J&K, said
that he advised contractors on the job to use Tsurumi pumps based on
their durability and efficiency when handling high volumes of water while
enclosed in tight spaces.

 

“I find that Tsurumi pumps can handle higher head using less horsepower,”
McKissack explained. “The process of removing excess moisture from a
shaft as its excavated is a rigorous job that requires non-stop pump usage.
The LH311W submersible dewatering pump in particular can move nearly
200 gpm at the required 160 ft of head. When you consider that this pump
can move that volume of water with a 15 hp motor and such a slim design,
you can really appreciate the level of engineering Tsurumi has maintained
throughout its product line.”

Along with the LH311W three-phase portable dewatering pump, J&K also
used a range of Tsurumi pumps that includes:

 

• 30 hp LH422 three-phase dewatering pumps
• 5 hp KTV2-37H three-phase dewatering pumps
• 5 hp KTZ33.7-60 three-phase portable dewatering pumps
• 3 hp NK2-22 single-phase dewatering pumps
• 1 hp LB-800 single-phase dewatering pumps
• 2/3 hp LB-480 single-phase dewatering pumps
• 1/2 hp HS2.4S-62 single-phase agitator pumps
• 2/3 hp LSR2.4S-61 residue pumps

As a massive tunnel boring machine—dubbed “Lady Bird” by engineers—
made its way along the tunnel’s path some 100 ft underground, Tsurumi
pumps removed groundwater from the shaft. Concrete slurry was poured
behind concrete support segments to construct the 23 ft-wide pipe through
which CSOs would eventually travel. It’s here that the ruggedness and
durability of Tsurumi pumps enabled the project to stay on schedule.

“While it’s never the intention, concrete slurry also gets removed through
the pumps on a tunneling job like this,” McKissack explained. “This typically
results in the pump being scrapped fairly quickly, but we were able to wear
out four sets of impellers on one of our LH311Ws before having to replace
the internal seal. Since the impellers in the Tsurumi pumps are made using
high-chrome cast iron, they could withstand the toll.”

The narrow dimensions of the excavation tunnel also presented a
challenge on the job site, but the compact nature of the LH311W
submersible dewatering pump helped J&K to overcome tight quarters.

“Space always matters when you’re dealing with tunneling applications,”
McKissack said. “Because of Tsurumi’s slimline design, the pumps don’t
take up a lot of room in a sump that only measures between 10 in and 12
in of diameter. The 10 5/8 in-wide LH311W was particularly handy for this
project, as it was able to fit into these tight spaces and still move a
significant amount of water.”

Furthering D.C.’s cleanup cause

The Blue Plains Tunnel Project finished construction in July of 2015, but
progress towards environmental conservation in Washington continues.
Excavation of the Anacostia River Tunnel Project began in June of 2013
and is expected to finish in November of 2017. When completed, the tunnel
will extend from Robert F. Kennedy Stadium in Northeast D.C. to the
Poplar Point pumping station in Southeast D.C. It’s expected to reduce
CSOs by 98 percent each year for the Anacostia River alone. It is the
second of four proposed tunnels that will be constructed for The D.C.
Clean Rivers Project.
“Tsurumi pumps have been instrumental in our success in the first phase of
the D.C. Clean Rivers Project,” McKissack said. “The efficiency, toughness
and space-saving design of these pumps have helped us greatly in
keeping on schedule. I have no doubts that the second phase of the project
will go just as smoothly.”

The team behind Lady Bird

Traylor Skanska Jay Dee (TSJD) was the joint venture contracting team in
charge of operating the Lady Bird tunnel boring machine to construct the
Blue Plains Tunnel. The team consisted of Traylor Brothers, an Evansville,
Indiana-based heavy civil contractor; Skanska, a global construction group
based in Stockholm, Sweden; and Jay Dee Contractors, a Livonia,
Michigan-based firm that specializes in underground construction.
“We owe much of our success on the Blue Plains tunneling project to the
suggestions made by Jeff and the rest of the team at J&K,” said Chet
Simcoe, electrical superintendent for TSJD. “We found J&K Equipment to
be the most responsive pump supplier and repair station we’ve used to
date. All of the Tsurumi pumps performed well on the job, and Jeff’s
willingness to guide us through every step of the engineering and design
process really helped to ensure that solid performance.”

J&K Equipment was founded in 2005 by Kathleen and Jeff McKissack who
serve as the company’s president and vice president, respectively. The
Glenelg, Maryland-based firm is WBE-certified and supplies Tsurumi
pumps to Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. J&K offers services for
a number of different infrastructure projects, including tunnels, bridges,
high-rises and bypass jobs.