1. Initial Conditions
The customer faced an issue with a high content of fine particles in slurry water. During the production of precast concrete elements, slurry water is generated. After mechanical pre-treatment with a screw separator, the water no longer contains coarse aggregates or sand. However, it still retains fine particles up to 0.25 mm in size. The concentration of these particles reaches 4.8%, and the water is highly alkaline (pH = 12).
This suspension is not suitable for reuse without further treatment, and therefore, it was necessary to implement an effective filtration technology.
2. Technology Solution Provided by ENVITES
For this application, the following equipment was designed and supplied:
- Chamber filter press K400 – used to separate solids from slurry water and produce a compact filter cake.
- Feeding pump – pumps the slurry suspension into the filter press for dewatering.
- Compressor – powers the feeding pump.
The filtration process is fully automatic and controlled by a PLC unit. The filter press operates in regular cycles, and its design enables easy and quick shifting of the filter plates.
3. Results and Benefits of the Solution
- The dewatered sludge achieves a high dry matter content, with the filter cake reaching up to 55%, which significantly reduces waste disposal costs.
- The filtrate is a clear and colourless liquid, suitable for reuse.
- The technological unit ensures stable operation even at high pH levels and fine particle concentrations.
- ENVITES supplied an automated system with minimal operator requirements.
Summary
The solution delivered by ENVITES enabled the customer to efficiently treat slurry water with a high concentration of fine suspended solids and a strongly alkaline pH. The use of the K400 chamber filter press ensured both high-quality filtrate and a significant reduction in the volume and weight of the resulting waste. The installation of the ENVITES system contributed to both economic and environmental efficiency in the production of precast concrete components.
