Vacuum sewer system at the Hilton Salwa Resort
The Hilton Salwa Resort is designed to become one of the largest resorts and residential projects in Qatar. Utilizing a Flovac vacuum sewer system, the resort is constructed on 257 acres of land in the Salwa area. The beach resort and villas is a massive project that includes a water park, marina, dive center, cinemas, pools, a health club, spa and a considerable retail space. In addition to the rooms and suites in the main hotel building, the resort will also include two small “villages” of family villas.
Flovac was asked to design and supply a vacuum system that would be able to handle the high flows that will ultimately be handled by the resort. The vacuum system needed to give service not only to the hotel but also to residential areas, restaurants and the marina. The client was aware of the good work which Flovac had done at Reef Island in Bahrain (read here) and was particularly impressed with the monitoring system that had been installed. Also, the monitoring system allows operators to see exactly what was happening anywhere in the network including the operation of the vacuum pump station. Mr. Willem Gooren, one of the founders of Flovac, managed the project and was based in the Middle East for extensive periods during the project’s establishment and finalization.
Installation of HDPE vacuum mains showing a stepped profile
Smart and Safe Installation
In sandy soils, especially areas where there is a high water table, vacuum systems are ideal as all of the pipework is installed at a shallow depth in the ground. A stepped profile within the pipeline design allows for some utilization of gravity while keeping the pipe shallow. Installation of vacuum mains is a lot faster than the installation of gravity sewers as there is less requirement to de-water or pre-load the land. HDPE pipe is used often when installing in hot climates and where soil conditions are unstable.
Leak Proof
The use of a Flovac system was also important to ensure that there would be no potential leaks from the system. As all vacuum pipework is under a negative pressure, sewage cannot leak from the pipe in the event of a break.
The Vacuum Pump Station is one of the largest stations in the world. Housed in a dry and air-conditioned environment, the two large collection tanks are connected to five large Busch Mink MM 1202 vacuum pumps. Flovac has used Mink pumps since before 2005 and so has great experience in the correct set up to maximize the ability to handle the large flows required in this project.
Salwa Vacuum Pump Station
Commissioning the Flovac Valve and Collection Pit with Mr Willem Gooren (right)
Salwa Operations Group Training Session with Mr Willem Gooren of Flovac
The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Ruler of Qatar, visiting the Salwa Resort
