The Thames Water Ring Main: Mechanical and Electrical Installations

Abstract

Along the route of the Thames Water ring main there are nine major unmanned pumping stations, in shafts, which lift the water from the tunnel and pump it into local distribution systems. Each shaft has the capacity to supply a town the size of Swindon with water, and has extensive mechanical and electrical installations ranging from large pumps to sensitive water-quality and atmospheric monitoring systems.This paper outlines the principal features and scope of the mechanical and electrical installations in the shafts, including variable-speed drives, pump control systems, gas-monitoring and alarm systems, dehumidification plant, water-quality monitoring systems, isolation and access arrangements.