Multi Disc Screw Press

Originally developed by VoluteTM Japan, the technology evolved into the mainstream since the first decade of 2000. The Multi Disc Screw Press is a sludge dewatering equipment which work on the filtration mechanism after coagulation-flocculation of sludge.

The screw press is built with a stack of alternating moving and fixed discs with varying diameter depending on the capacity. Sludge enters on feed side and moves forward using a helical screw and exits from the other side in form of cake.
The primary feature of the multi discs screw press is the stack of alternating moving and fixed discs which ensures self-cleaning as the moving discs are displaced by the screw profile in a reciprocating circular profile
The major components of a multi discs screw press are as follows:
a. Sludge Feed Line _ from where the sludge is feed
b. Overflow weir pipe for return of excess overflow
c. Flocculator agitator drive for enhancing coagulation and flocculation
d. Spiral Screw powered by a gearbox and Alternating Discs/Rings, the heart of the system
e. Spray nozzle for cleaning of sludge leakages outside the discs
f. Adjustable pressure plate to control the sludge dryness
g. Filtrate outlet for returning the filtrate to plant
h. Flocculator tank drain for draining out flocculator tank

Working principle

Typically, there are 4 primary stages of sludge dewatering in a multi disc screw press : (Click here for working principle video)

In the first stage of flocculation :

The sludge enters the inlet nozzle provided below the inlet chamber by a sludge feed pump. There is a adjustable weir coupler for controlling the feed flow and returning the excess flow to the feed tank
Sludge flows through a triangular weir and baffle where based on the sludge characteristics anionic or cationic polyelectrolyte is dosed
Then, the sludge gets coagulated and flocculation is enhanced in the flocculator tank equipped with a VFD controlled slow moving mixer ranging from 12-22 RPM. This stage is crucial for the sludge floc to mature and get bigger in size
The coagulated sludge subsequently enters the first screw chamber trough the flexible hose

In the second & third stage of thickening and dewatering :

As soon as, the coagulated sludge enters the first screw chamber, the water gets filtered from the discs and sludge starts becoming dryer and thicker as it moves forward by the helical screw inside the chamber
The last compartment opens against an adjustable pressure plate
This pressure plate can be adjusted based on the dryness of sludge cake required to 2 adjustments of 3 mm and 5 mm using gauge strips provided with the machine

In the fourth stage of filtrate recycle :

The filtered water which is collected in the sump with returned to the feed tank or the effluent treatment plant for further processing or as per application
DEPL’s multidisc screw press is also equipped with a self-cleaning water jet arrangement to clean the disc surface in case of any sludge leakages outside the discs, this arrangement can either be manual or automatic controlled by the solenoid valves shown here via a PCB based control panel.
The self cleaning mechanism ensures clogging free reliable and consistent operation

Multi Disc Screw Press vs Centrifuge vs Filter Press-A typical case of 10 cum/hr feed flow @ 1% solids w/w

Parameter	Multi Disc Screw Press	Centrifuge Decanter	PP Filter Press
Power Consumption	1KW	20kW	5kW
Maintenance Mechanical	Operated at only 4 RPM with almost zero wear & tear Complete built is in SS 304/316	Operated at only 4000 RPM with high chances of major wear & tear : Only water contact parts are in SS and rest is in MSEP	Replacement of cloth due to clogging. Build is generally MSEP thus high corrosion potential
Solid Content of Sludge Dewatered	20-25% w/w (75-80% moisture)	18-20 %w/w (80-82% moisture)	20-25% w/w (75-80% moisture)
CAPEX	10% higher than owning a centrifuge or filter press	Highest cost in the category	Lowest cost
Recurring CAPEX	Almost zero	Very High due to vibrations and bearing replacement	Medium mostly requires replacement of filter cloth
Chemical Cost	50% of that from centrifuge when processing biological sludge	Highest requirement of polyelectrolyte	Almost same as the Screw Press
Noise & Vibrations	No noise and vibrations as all moving parts are at low RPM	Very high noise level	No Noise as no moving parts except the feed pump
Labor Cost	No labor cost of manual handling of sludge as it is in continuous application	No labor cost of manual handling of sludge as it is in continuous application	Very high labor intensive due to cleaning of cloth and changing the cloth

Comparison

Dynamic Equipment’s Multi Disc Screw Press differentiates from cotemporary dewatering equipment like centrifuges or filter press by following features: