So, you’ve got a slurry problem and you don’t know what to do about it. If you’re worried about being fined for dumping your slurry, or your dewatering method just isn’t cutting it anymore, you need to expand your horizons and pursue other options. Depending on your operation and the size of the operation a filter press or clarifier is a great option for you.
Filter Press
Filter presses are sometimes referred to as plate and frame presses and they are offered in automatic and semi-automatic options. They are ideal for shops that need very clean water. Slurry is pumped into the machine and solids are evenly distributed. The filter cloth collects solids and clean, filtered water is drawn out. A dry filter cake forms and drops into the cake cart below. Filter cakes are much drier than the sludge the clarifier produces.
A filter press is ideal for a shop that has heavy solids, needs extremely clean water, and is running a large operation. Filter presses are often used in the concrete and stone fabrication industries. The water is clean enough to be properly disposed of, but it can also be reused.
Clarifier
There are different types of clarifiers, such as the rapid settlement system and the slurry silo, but the concept is the same. Imagine sand being thrown into a pond. The sand would settle and sink naturally with no chemicals needed. The clarifier relies on gravity to dewater your sludge. A pump pulls the slurry into a water tank, where gravity does its job. Remaining sludge waste drops through the bottom of the tank and into the slurry bag that hangs on the sludge skid, where it is eventually disposed of. Clean water is drawn out with a pump.
Clarifiers are the perfect solution for shops that need clean, but not super clean water. The water comes out a bit cloudy with a bit of particulate matter in it. It works great with for reuse in stone cutting and polishing shops. The clarifier runs continuously. It can be set in a corner and left to do its job with minimal maintenance.
Filter Presses Versus Clarifiers
Depending on your industry, there are pros and cons to both the filter press and clarifier. If you want a low-maintenance solution and you don’t have heavy solids and you don’t need extremely clear water, the clarifier is ideal. The filter press is incredibly convenient, but with so many pieces and parts, there is the potential for more maintenance than the clarifier. If you have a large body of solids and you’re producing a lot of solids per day, a filter press is ideal. Filter presses can also be made portable to move around the jobsite. Sometimes, a large shop will even use both a filter press and a clarifier.
It’s time to take control and be the boss of your slurry. Contact Full Circle Water to talk more about your options.