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Started By
Message
re: Why can't S&WB get the pumps to run?
Posted on 6/19/26 at 9:11 am to diat150
Posted on 6/19/26 at 9:11 am to diat150
quote:
I understand that the motors are expensive but it seems like it would have made sense to just swap the motor instead of keeping obsolete equipment in service.
They could have spent some of the $500M they received after Katrina to make that change but it didn't happen for some reason.
This post was edited on 6/19/26 at 11:07 am
1
Posted on 6/19/26 at 9:42 am to Trout Bandit
Civil Service rules in New Orleans ensure that the worst, least qualified people remain there forever. They cannot be fired, especially because they are black. The closest thing to communism that we have in the state.
Posted on 6/19/26 at 10:00 am to diat150
The pumps themselves (Wood Screw Pumps) have been operational for over 100 years and have been very reliable. Its providing the required 25 hz power that has been the issue. According to the article in the OP, a $300M power complex was completed earlier this year that has 3 frequency changers, each capable of providing half of the required power for the 25 hz system...and all three weren't working "for reasons that were not clear". Maybe this event was a blessing in disguise because it will allow them to work out the kinks with the new power complex before the next major event.
Posted on 6/19/26 at 10:13 am to LSUEE2000
is the pump not separate from the motor?
Posted on 6/19/26 at 10:17 am to diat150
Yes it is, that's what he's saying.
Posted on 6/19/26 at 10:20 am to diat150
quote:
is the pump not separate from the motor
This post was edited on 6/19/26 at 10:21 am
Posted on 6/19/26 at 10:30 am to castorinho
quote:
Yes it is, that's what he's saying.
if the pump is separate from the motor I dont understand why they wouldnt couple a new modern motor to the existing pump so that they dont have to fool with the old power design.
Posted on 6/19/26 at 10:31 am to diat150
quote:
if the pump is separate from the motor I dont understand why they wouldnt couple a new modern motor to the existing pump so that they dont have to fool with the old power design.
Price.
Overall design of the system.
Motors aren't unreliable, power is.
Posted on 6/19/26 at 10:42 am to soccerfüt
Posted on 6/19/26 at 10:58 am to diat150
fightin tigers picture shows the motor and pump. I think what you're getting at is why didn't they just change the motors to 60 hz motors. Going from 25 hz to 60 hz would not be "plug and play". All ancillary equipment would likely need to be replaced as well. 25 hz electrical equipment would definitely need to be replaced. The 25 hz grid would have needed to be upgraded to a 60 hz grid or they would have to use the public grid...which would have required upgrades to the public grid and then the pump stations would be subject to Entergy power outages. Lose power, no pumping. Don't think the pumps were designed to operate at higher frequencies so not sure what types of modifications would have been needed there. I expect that there were physical limitations as well. Anyway, not as simple as just replacing the motors.
The current system includes non-public power generation, power distribution, motors and pumps, The unreliable component of the system has been power generation. Hopefully the new power complex (once functioning properly) will provide for a more reliable system.
The current system includes non-public power generation, power distribution, motors and pumps, The unreliable component of the system has been power generation. Hopefully the new power complex (once functioning properly) will provide for a more reliable system.
Posted on 6/19/26 at 11:39 am to The Baker
quote:
Some of those screw pumps in mid city are over 100 years old and like 3 people on earth know how to repair them
Don’t forget that most of the parts are obsolete so when one breaks they have to get its replacement fabricated
Still curious as to why we didn’t update all the pumps when we received billions after Katrina?
This post was edited on 6/19/26 at 11:41 am
Posted on 6/19/26 at 11:47 am to jbgleason
Why would you ever expect the pumps to work in New Orleans? Were you born yesterday?
Posted on 6/19/26 at 11:48 am to Sweep Da Leg
quote:
Still curious as to why we didn’t update all the pumps when we received billions after Katrina?
Billions for hurricane protection. They categorized it differently than regular municipal flooding
Posted on 6/19/26 at 2:12 pm to LSUEE2000
quote:
fightin tigers picture shows the motor and pump. I think what you're getting at is why didn't they just change the motors to 60 hz motors. Going from 25 hz to 60 hz would not be "plug and play". All ancillary equipment would likely need to be replaced as well. 25 hz electrical equipment would definitely need to be replaced. The 25 hz grid would have needed to be upgraded to a 60 hz grid or they would have to use the public grid...which would have required upgrades to the public grid and then the pump stations would be subject to Entergy power outages. Lose power, no pumping. Don't think the pumps were designed to operate at higher frequencies so not sure what types of modifications would have been needed there. I expect that there were physical limitations as well. Anyway, not as simple as just replacing the motors.
The current system includes non-public power generation, power distribution, motors and pumps, The unreliable component of the system has been power generation. Hopefully the new power complex (once functioning properly) will provide for a more reliable system.
without knowing more it just seems crazy to double down on a 100 year old design that is obsolete, especially when you consider the money that was given after Katrina.throw in that it is new orleans which makes it even worse.
Posted on 6/19/26 at 3:56 pm to jbgleason
I get irrationally pissed off when, before every bad weather event, they show the workers cleaning the storm drains.
Shouldn't that just be a regular occurrence?
Shouldn't that just be a regular occurrence?
Posted on 6/19/26 at 4:03 pm to fightin tigers
quote:
25hz as a holdover from 100 years ago
Thank Tesla for that.
Posted on 6/19/26 at 8:27 pm to diat150
25hz, Tesla's frequency is less wear on the wire
Posted on 6/19/26 at 9:05 pm to CitizenK
It was Juneteenth prep day after all. What can you expect?
Posted on 6/20/26 at 6:11 am to jbgleason
Aren’t they using pumps that run on a different frequency or voltage than basically every other pump in America?
Posted on 6/20/26 at 7:50 am to CitizenK
25hz is better, on paper.
How much hp are the pumps? Why not just use diesel? Do they run THAT much?
How much hp are the pumps? Why not just use diesel? Do they run THAT much?
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