What Are the Differences Between Decanting Silos & Rapid Settlement Systems?

November 19, 2022
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For any business, the proper handling of wastewater is important not only for the environment but also for the financial well-being of the company. Illegally dumping wastewater can result in fines in the thousands of dollars and even jail time.

Full Circle Water offers two primary sources of wastewater management: the decanting silo (or the slurry silo) and the rapid settlement system (RSS). Both are efficient in their separation of solids and other materials from your water, though each solution carries advantages and disadvantages.

Read on to learn the primary differences between the two solutions and how you can decide which is best for your business’s needs.

Decanting silos compared to RSS plants infographic

#1 – Decanting Silos Are a Simpler, More Affordable, Yet More Restricted Solution

Both decanting silos and the rapid settlement system rely on gravity to separate solids from water. The decanting silo, however, was designed as a more affordable option for customers who require a flow rate of up to 20 gallons per minute (GPM).

The rapid settlement system was designed to capture up to 50 cubic feet of suspended solids on a daily basis.

The decanting silo, as a result, is limited in its applications. Its methods of water filtration do not rely on plates, meaning it’s best used to filter out solids that settle quickly, like sandstone and concrete.

Fewer moving parts are involved, and less maintenance is required. The decanting silo can be easily customized to your industry’s specific needs and fitted with extra features as well.

#2 – The RSS Carries a Much Wider Range of Applications

On the other hand, the rapid settlement system was designed to replace settlement ponds entirely and cover a much wider range of wastewater management applications than the decanting silo.

Our rapid settlement system is our most popular piece of equipment and operates at full plant speed. Although it requires very little in the way of ongoing maintenance, more overall maintenance is required for the RSS than for the decanting silo.

The RSS processes water at a flow rate of about 200 GPM, ten times what the decanting silo can process. The RSS removes about 95% of solids from your water and is perfect for businesses that need to reuse water constantly.

#3 – The Decanting Silo Filters Water With Different Technology

While both the RSS and the decanting silo rely on gravity for water filtration, the decanting silo houses fewer parts and primarily utilizes settling alongside a polymer feed step, effectively removing about 90% of any solids present in the water that’s being filtered.

The RSS utilizes proprietary inclined plate technology to clarify larger volumes of water in a shorter time and with less space.

Because of this difference in technology, the applications for the decanting silo are limited, yet less downtime is required for the decanting silo.

#4 – The RSS Permits Greater Customization

While the decanting silo certainly comes with its own options for features and additional add-ons, the wider range of use, the larger size, and the greater flow rates of the RSS permit even more customization options.

The RSS features adjustable legs that offer customers a range of usable heights, as well as affordable shipping and easy assembly. It comes in four standard models, each with its own specialized flow rate ranging from 40 to 200 GPM.

The RSS can complement additional wastewater management equipment that you have in your shop and can also be fitted with the following:

  • Control packages
  • Chemical feed
  • Liquid solid separation
  • Slurry pit storm
  • 56 and 60 degree HDPE plates

The decanting silo, while also offering certain customizations, cannot be fitted with these additional add-ons.

Stop Slurry & Save Money the Right Way With Full Circle Water!

Ready to start stopping slurry and save money? Contact us today to get started with your own customized wastewater management solution.


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