Sludge Screening
Maximising Sludge Screening Efficiency with STRAINPRESS®
The HUBER STRAINPRESS is an advanced in-line sludge screen that continuously screens sludge, dewaters, and transports coarse materials in one operation. It effectively removes coarse materials like plastics, hair, and fibres from municipal sludge without backwashing, reducing maintenance, lowering anaerobic digester cleaning frequency, and optimising heat exchangers and mixing systems. By eliminating these materials, the STRAINPRESS enhances the reliability of downstream processes such as sludge thickening, stabilisation, dewatering, and drying.
With decades of experience in sludge management, Hydroflux Epco provides industry-leading expertise in integrating advanced sludge screening solutions. Our team has successfully implemented HUBER STRAINPRESS® technology in numerous municipal and industrial treatment plants, ensuring enhanced performance, reliability, and cost efficiency. We offer tailored solutions to meet specific sludge processing requirements, backed by our deep knowledge of sludge treatment technologies.
The Advantages of the HUBER STRAINPRESS
The STRAINPRESS system offers a compact, fully automatic inline solution for efficient sludge screening, dewatering, and transport within a closed pipeline, requiring no additional pumps or backwashing while maintaining consistent performance under varying feed conditions with minimal space and maintenance requirements.
- The STRAINPRESS® system can be integrated into a closed pipeline system
- Sludge screening, dewatering and transport of the coarse material in one operation
- No second pump is required for the screened sludge owing to the closed and compact in-line system
- Continuous coarse material separation under pressure with a loss of pressure between 0.4 and 0.6 bar
- Washing off sludge or backwashing is not necessary
- The horizontally moveable screw can be re-adjusted to ensure continuously perfect screen cleaning
- Fully automatic continuous or intermittent operation
- Little space required, easy subsequent installation into the pipeline
- Insensitive to varying feed volumes or coarse material structures
- The automatic pressure regulating cones ensure uniform dewatering even with strongly varying coarse material quality and concentration
- When handling sludges with heavily varying DS and coarse material content, the pressing screw starts to work in dependence of the operating pressure (filter cake resistance)
The HUBER STRAINPRESS: A Simple and Effective Operating Principle
The STRAINPRESS is a horizontal cylindrical coarse material separator designed to efficiently remove and compact solids from sludge streams. It consists of three main sections: the inlet and screening zone, the press zone, and the discharge section.
During operation, a pump forces the unscreened liquid through the screening zone, where solids are retained by a cylindrical screen, while the screened liquid continues to downstream processes. A coaxial screw then strips the solids from the screen surface and moves them into the press zone for further treatment.
In the press zone, the solids are extensively compacted and dewatered. The screw is activated only when pressure sensors detect a differential pressure caused by screen surface blinding. As the solids are compressed, they are pushed through a gap around a hydraulically operated pressure cone. This cone partially closes the pipe end, creating the necessary counterpressure for effective dewatering.
The cone’s position is automatically adjusted based on the screw motor load to ensure optimal performance. Notably, the STRAINPRESS requires no wash water, as backwashing the screen is unnecessary. Additionally, the perforation size and screw shaft design can be customised to suit specific application requirements, ensuring reliable and efficient operation across various sludge treatment scenarios.
Sludge Screening with Effortless Maintenance and Long-Term Reliability
The HUBER Sludge Cleaner STRAINPRESS is built with high-quality, corrosion-resistant stainless steel for its casing, perforated plate, and screw shaft. The screw flights are reinforced with tungsten carbide to provide exceptional wear protection, ensuring long-term reliability in demanding sludge treatment applications.
For ease of maintenance, the machine is designed to be split in the middle, allowing one half to be moved as needed. This feature makes it simple to replace the perforated plate or install a new screen insert with a different perforation size, ensuring optimal performance for varying operational requirements.
Frequently asked questions
The STRAINPRESS enhances sludge treatment efficiency by continuously screening, dewatering, and transporting coarse materials in one operation. It removes solids like plastics, hair, and fibres early in the process, preventing blockages and reducing maintenance for downstream equipment.
Yes, Hydroflux provides comprehensive installation and maintenance services for the HUBER STRAINPRESS. Their experienced team ensures seamless integration of the equipment into new or existing wastewater treatment systems, with minimal disruption to operations. Hydroflux also offers ongoing maintenance support to optimise system performance, extend equipment lifespan, and minimise downtime through preventative servicing and timely repairs when needed.
Yes, the STRAINPRESS can be easily retrofitted into existing pipeline systems. Its compact design requires minimal space, and its inline operation allows for straightforward installation without significant modifications to the current infrastructure.
No, the STRAINPRESS operates without the need for additional pumps, thanks to its closed and pressurised inline design. It also does not require backwashing or wash water, simplifying maintenance and reducing water consumption.
The STRAINPRESS is designed to automatically adjust its operation based on sludge consistency and coarse material content. A pressure-regulating cone maintains consistent dewatering performance, even when sludge properties, such as dry solids (DS) content, vary significantly.
The STRAINPRESS requires minimal maintenance due to its robust construction and automated operation. The horizontally adjustable screw can be repositioned as needed to ensure continuous, effective screen cleaning, and maintenance is typically limited to routine inspections and occasional component checks.
Contact Hydroflux Epco to discuss the benefits for your site
By integrating the HUBER STRAINPRESS® into your sludge management system, you can ensure smoother operations, protect valuable infrastructure, and reduce maintenance costs. This advanced sludge screening solution is ideal for any facility looking to enhance efficiency and reliability in sludge treatment.
Get in touch with Hydroflux Epco today to learn how we can help streamline your wastewater treatment operations with reliable, high-performance solutions.
Downloads
Download the HUBER STRAINPRESS sludge screening brochure here