MAGNUM  QA            SPILL BUDDY QA            SERVICE QA

QUESTIONS

ANSWERS
 How does the sensing work? The Alpha-ArrayTM Interface sensors are a multiple field array, all solid state, monolithic, noncontact, fluid-interface sensor that is a spin-off of spacecraft fuel gauging developed for NASA. The use of this interface sensor in the environmental industry is unique.
How susceptible are the sensors to fouling? Since they are non contact sensors they are highly immune to fouling, which is a problem with virtually all other types of sensing methods (including conductive, float, optical and even radio frequency methods).

The sensors are also made from carbon composite material and thus are virtually corrosion free and immune to most all chemicals

Can the Magnum Spill Buster, Spill Buddy and Spill Buddy Pro be used to recover LNAPL? DNAPL? Yes, any of these systems can be used to recover LNAPL and DNAPL.
What does the Auto Seeker do? The Auto Seeker is an electrically powered reel that automatically raises and lowers the pump/ probe to the oil/ water interface as it moves up and down due to seasonal or tidal fluctuations.
How far can the Auto Seeker track water fluctuations? The Auto Seeker can track the water table nearly 50'.
What is the maximum depth from which  the Magnum Spill Buster can recover product? The standard Magnum Spill Buster, Spill Buddy and Spill Buddy Pro have a 50 foot long probe. The maximum probe length is 100 feet for the Magnum and Spill Buddy, and 75’ on the Pro model, due to the physical constraints of the reels.
Do really I need the Auto Seeker?  No, the system can be set up to properly pump product if  the water table fluctuations are very small or change very slowly over the course of weeks or months.

However, most sites experience more rapid fluctuations, and so over 95% of our systems are sold with the Auto Seeker.
Do I need the Auto Seeker if I am just pumping DNAPLS?   No.  Since DNAPLS are beneath the water table, you can manually set the probe at the lowest possible level and pump the product out until it is gone. The system will shut off automatically as soon as it detects water. 

You also do not need an Auto Seeker when using water table depression- see below. 
Can I use water table depression with the Magnum Spill Buster? Yes. A water table depression control box is connected to the main control box  and a Grundfos Redi Flow 3 TM environmental water pump is installed in the well. The Auto Seeker is NOT used in this configuration. The system probe is suspended just above the level at which you intend to keep the water; it will automatically cycle on and off, pumping off product, not water.  When the system is in operation the water/product interface is therefore controlled to the product pump intake.

The Magnum is only configured to operate in concert with Clean Earth Technology's water depression module.  This is because the lower sensor band in the probe prevents the water/product interface from moving down to the water pump intake, thus preventing raw product from being pumped into the water treatment system.
What is the minimum thickness of free phase contamination necessary for the Magnum Spill Buster to pump?

The minimum thickness of free phase contamination necessary for the Magnum Spill Buster to pump is approximately 1 cm.

 
What are the cycle times of the Auto Seeker in the automatic mode? The system will always pump until the pump intake is in air. If the version number of your Magnum logic board chip is 4.8,  the Magnum will then go into "wait mode" for 20 minutes before starting another pump cycle. After the system has pumped off the bulk of the product the wait time between cycles increases to 40 minutes, then 80 minutes- doubling each cycle until it achieves balance with the product recharge rate, or reaches a 6 hour maximum.  For chip versions prior to the 4.8, the cycle intervals would be 10 minutes, twenty minutes, 40 minutes, etc., up to a 12 hour maximum.
How often should maintenance be done? It depends on what you are pumping and how much solid or semi-solid debris is in the product. When first set up, you should check the system frequently to get a feel for how much, and how quickly, any debris is accumulating on the filter. If the filter screen is plugged when you check it, shorten the time between service visits until you find the screen still  reasonably clean. If the screen is not plugged, nor the sensors are dirty, it is safe to lengthen the service time interval. The sensors should be cleaned at the same time.
Can I change the automatic control modes as set by the factory? No. The overall software algorithms for automatic mode can not be changed. However there are some parameters that can be adjusted such as cycle time, interface clearance, pump rates, etc. Refer to the owner’s manual for details.
What is the size of the discharge tubing? The tubing used is 3/8” OD and 1/4” ID. The tubing should be made of a fairly stiff material such as nylon that is compatible for use with petroleum products. If the tubing material is too soft the tubing connector will leak.
Is the Magnum Spill Buster explosion- proof? The Magnum Spill Buster probe sensors, pump motor, and Auto Seeker motor are all intrinsically safe. 

However, the standard Magnum Spill Buster control panel is not intrinsically safe or explosion-proof. Thus the control panel must be located a minimum of 25' from any hazardous areas. This is easily done on most sites, but if the panel must be located in a hazardous location,  CET can provide an explosion-proof enclosure ( Class I, Div I, Groups B, C & D ) for it. The Auto Seeker motor is also available in an explosion-proof enclosure  of the same rating if the site specifications require it..
What is the difference between "intrinsically safe" and "explosion-proof"? Intrinsic safety means that when the equipment is installed in the specified flammable/combustible atmosphere, the unit will not create a spark with enough energy to create ignition. To achieve intrinsic safety,  the voltage and current draw are kept so small that even a direct short will not create a spark big enough to create ignition. 

An example of an intrinsically safe device is the fuel pump used in most automobiles and trucks today.  They actually have fuel flowing right though their electric DC motors and commutators!  Our product pump is a derivative  of this kind of diesel truck fuel pump.

Explosion-proof means that if a piece of equipment does create a large spark in a flammable/combustible atmosphere, it will be contained within its enclosure and therefore will not ignite the surrounding explosive areas.

A common interpretation of the term "explosion-proof box" is that the box will keep out flammable/explosive materials so the equipment inside it can't ignite any flammable material present. This is actually NOT correct. It is more accurate to say that even if flammable/explosive materials did seep into the box and were actually ignited by a malfunction of the electrical equipment inside, explosion-proof boxes are built strongly enough to contain such an explosion, and thus prevent a larger secondary explosion of the surrounding combustible atmosphere.  That is why explosion-proof enclosures have such big, heavy castings and so many bolts holding the covers on. 
Is the Magnum Spill Buster weatherproof? Yes, the Magnum Spill Buster is weatherproof. These systems have been successfully deployed in a wide variety of climates including Eastern Canada, Alaska, Minnesota, Northern New England, Mississippi, New Mexico, Taiwan and Italy. No special weatherproof enclosures are required for the Auto Seeker and Control Panel. The Magnum Spill Buster system can operate in temperatures ranging from -40° C to + 60° C.
What is the maximum flow rate for the product pump on the Magnum Spill Buster? It is approximately 0.7 GPM at zero head.
 If I do not have any water in the well, only product, can I still use the Magnum Spill Buster? Yes.  However, there are special setups and monitoring requirements. If you have this condition you should call our service department to give you detailed directions to get you started.
Can the Magnum Spill Buster, Spill Buddy and Spill Buddy Pro be used to recover No. 6 Oil or No. 4 Oil? No, the Magnum Spill Buster, Spill Buddy and Spill Buddy Pro cannot be used to recover high viscosity products, such as No. 6 Oil and No. 4 Oil.  The standard pump used in the systems can be used to recover products with viscosities up to 10 CP, while our optional medium-viscosity pump can handle viscosities up to 25 CP.

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