Municipal Wastewater: Complete Sludge Solutions

Q: When should I choose a filter press over a screw press?

A filter press should be selected when deep dewatering is required, typically below 60% moisture, to reduce landfill or disposal costs, or for drinking water sludge applications. For standard municipal sewage treatment where around 80% moisture is acceptable, a screw press is preferred due to its continuous operation and low labor requirements.

Q: How does a diaphragm filter press work in sewage treatment?

A diaphragm filter press applies additional high pressure to the sludge cake after initial filtration using a flexible diaphragm. This secondary squeezing stage significantly reduces moisture content and improves sludge volume reduction, making it an efficient dewatering solution for sewage treatment.

Q: How often does the screw press require maintenance?

Maintenance requirements are minimal. The multi-disc screw press operates at very low speeds of approximately 2–4 RPM, resulting in low wear. Screw shaft rings typically require inspection or replacement every 3,000–4,000 operating hours, and routine daily maintenance is usually limited to a visual inspection.

Q: Do your systems control odor effectively?

Yes. Both screw presses and filter presses can be equipped with odor containment solutions. Screw presses are semi-enclosed by design, while filter presses can be fitted with bomb bay enclosures and fume hoods that connect directly to biological scrubbers or carbon filtration systems.

Q: What is the polymer consumption compared to a centrifuge?

Polymer consumption is generally comparable or slightly lower than that of centrifuges. Because the screw press operates without high shear forces, floc structure is better preserved, often resulting in 10–15% lower polymer consumption per ton of dry solids compared to high-shear centrifuges.

Advanced Dewatering. Headworks Screening.

Tailored separation systems for Sewage Treatment Plants (WWTP)

At Loway Equipment, we understand that no two municipalities are the same. A small rural plant needs low-maintenance automation, while a mega-city facility needs massive throughput. And increasingly, plants facing high landfill fees need Deep Dewatering.

We don’t force one technology on you. We manufacture the complete range—Screw Presses, Belt Presses, and Filter Presses—to solve your specific volume and compliance challenges.

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The Core Challenge: Volume vs. Compliance

Municipal operators face a “Triple Threat” of challenges:

Disposal Costs: Sludge disposal is often 40% of a plant's operating budget. Reducing volume is the only way to cut costs.
Odor & Neighbors: Open equipment causes odor complaints. Modern plants demand enclosed, silent systems.
Energy Efficiency: Reducing electricity consumption (kW/ton) is critical for sustainable operation.

The Loway Solution: Matching Tech to Goals

We deploy the right machine based on your Disposal Route (Landfill vs. Incineration vs. Agriculture).

For General Dewatering: Multi-Disc Screw Press

Best For: Small to Medium WWTPs (Up to 50,000 PE).
Why: Low Energy & Odor Free. It runs 24/7 with minimal operator attention, uses 1/10th the power of a centrifuge, and its enclosed design keeps neighbors happy.
Target: 75-80% Moisture Cake.

For High Volume: Belt Filter Press

Best For: Large Scale City Plants.
Why: Massive Throughput. When you need to process millions of gallons per day continuously, the Belt Press offers the lowest Capex per ton of capacity.
Target: 78-82% Moisture Cake.

For "Deep Dewatering": High-Pressure Membrane Press

Best For: Plants facing High Landfill Fees or Incineration.
The “Killer App”: By adding a Secondary Diaphragm Squeeze (30 bar), we reduce moisture to 55-60%.
Outcome: This cuts sludge volume by an additional 40% compared to belt presses, saving massive amounts on hauling and tipping fees. This is the ultimate solution for “Sludge Reduction” projects.

Technology Comparison

Operation Mode: Continuous (24/7)
Energy Cost: Lowest
Cake Dryness: Standard (20% DS)
Odor Control: Excellent (Enclosed)
Primary Use: New Standard for WWTPs

Feature

Operation Mode: Continuous (24/7)
Energy Cost: Low
Cake Dryness: Standard (18% DS)
Odor Control: Poor (Open)
Primary Use: Legacy Large Plants

Feature

Operation Mode: Batch (Intermittent)
Energy Cost: Medium
Cake Dryness: Ultimate (45% DS)
Odor Control: Good (Closed Cycle)
Primary Use: Deep Dewatering / Landfill

Feature

Key Applications in Municipal Water

Application	The Challenge	The Loway Solution
Raw Sewage (Headworks)	Protecting pumps from rags and plastics.	Mechanical Bar Screens. Auto-cleaning screens remove debris to prevent downstream clogs.
Biological Sludge (Activated Sludge)	Routine daily dewatering with minimal labor.	Screw Press. Self-cleaning, automated, and smell-free. Perfect for biological flocs.
Drinking Water Sludge (Alum/Ferric)	Inorganic chemical sludge from water purification.	Chamber Filter Press. Inorganic sludge dewaters easily in a press. Produces a very dry, rock-hard cake for easy disposal.
Sludge “Deep Dewatering”(Landfill Reduction)	Disposal cost is too high; need maximum dryness.	Membrane Press + Conditioning. Using lime/ferric conditioning + high pressure squeeze to achieve <60% moisture.

Let's start your project to be realize.

At Loway Equipment, we’re committed to helping you optimize your processes with reliable and efficient filter press solutions.
Contact us today to learn more about how our filter presses can help improve your operations’ efficiency, productivity, and sustainability.

The Manufacturer Advantage: Turnkey Integration

Skid-Mounted Systems: We build "Plug-and-Play" skids including the Screw Press/Filter Press, Polymer Dosing Unit, and Feed Pumps, pre-wired for instant startup.
Automation: Our PLC systems (Siemens/Schneider) integrate with your SCADA for remote monitoring.
Material Lifespan: We use SS304 for municipal sewage to resist H2S corrosion, and SS316L for coastal/saline plants.

FAQ: Municipal Dewatering

Have More Questions? Our technical team is ready to provide detailed, personalized guidance.

Q1: When should I choose a Filter Press over a Screw Press?

Choose a Filter Press only if you need Deep Dewatering (<60% moisture) to lower landfill costs or for Drinking Water Sludge. For standard sewage treatment where 80% moisture is acceptable, the Screw Press is preferred for its continuous, low-labor operation.

Q2: How does a diaphragm filter press work in sewage treatment?

The diaphragm filter press uses a high-pressure diaphragm to apply additional pressure on the sludge cake after the initial filtration, reducing the moisture content significantly. This secondary pressing improves sludge volume reduction, making it a highly efficient dewatering method.

Q3: Do your systems control odor effectively?

Yes. Both our Screw Presses and Filter Presses can be equipped with odor containment. The Screw Press is inherently semi-enclosed with covers. For Filter Presses, we offer Bomb Bay Enclosures and fume hoods that can be ducted directly to your plant’s biological scrubber or carbon filter system.

Q4: How often does the Screw Press require maintenance?

Very rarely. The Multi-Disc Screw Press runs at very low speeds (2-4 RPM), meaning wear is minimal compared to high-speed centrifuges (3000 RPM). Typically, the screw shaft rings only need inspection or replacement every 3,000 – 4,000 hours, and daily maintenance is limited to a visual check.

Q5: What is the polymer consumption compared to a centrifuge?

Polymer consumption is generally comparable or slightly lower. However, because our Screw Press operates gently without high-shear forces, the floc structure is preserved better, often requiring 10-15% less polymer per ton of dry solids compared to high-shear centrifuges.

Loway Equipment Applications Across Industries

We are proud to have worked with clients from diverse industries, providing tailored filtration solutions that improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance operational performance.

Mining industry