Multi-Disc Screw Press Dehydrators

A Sludge Dewatering Solution, Offering You the Highest Efficiency, Greatest Savings, and Lowest Maintenance

Multi-disc dehydrators de-water organic sludge with a combination of mechanical compression and gravity filtration. The widening taper of the screw conveyor compresses the solids formed in flocculation tanks, sludge or slurry formed of wastewater and polymers. This ‘wrings out’ the liquids while the sloped cylinder allows for reclaimed liquids to flow out of the chamber and into basins or piping. This produces a dehydrated cake, which is easier to transport and dispose of, while also filtering the water and allowing it to be repurposed. Compared to traditional screw presses, the ‘disc’ components of a multi-disc dehydrator are moving and stationary metallic discs that, in concert with a replaceable polyurethane scraper, makes the system effectively ‘self-cleaning’ and improving the system longevity.

Multi-disc dehydrator applications also extend to food, petroleum, pharmaceutical, and wastewater industries, making multi-disc dehydrator systems an ideal solution to broad dewatering applications. Archer Separation provides you this equipment, partnering with industry-leading manufacturers like HAUS Centrifuge Technologies, and applying decades of experience in optimizing multi-disc dehydrators and other systems for your facility's needs.

Multi-Disc Dehydrator Benefits

Compress Sludge into manageable cake

The multi-disc dehydrator consists of a screw conveyor inside a shell of fixed and moving discs. The diameter of the shaft of the screw conveyor increases from the feed zone to the solids discharge zone.

Initially, the free water in the flocculated sludge drains by gravity between the moving and the fixed discs. As the solids are moved by the flights of the screw conveyor, the sludge experiences reduced volume due to the increasing shaft diameter, thus expressing the water from the sludge. At the solids discharge end of multi-disc dehydrator, the solids are compressed against a pneumatically loaded disc, which keeps a constant pressure on the solids thus expressing more water from the sludge and only dehydrated solids make their way out of the unit.

The moving discs move in a cycloidal manner riding on the outer edge of the screw conveyor flights thus creating a cleaning action between the fixed and moving disc. This action allows the multi-disc dehydrator to run without consuming too much cleaning water. The result is a thick and manageable ‘cake’ and the wrung-out water and clean expressed water.

Dewaters oil and inorganic content

Multi-disc dehydrators dehydrate sludge with high oil content or inorganic substances; as they rely on a constant mechanical action with minimal additional processing, a multi-disc dehydrator finds most types of sludges, concentrations and compositions manageable.

Continuous Processing

A multi-disc dehydrator's operating time can be described as ‘constant’; because of the self-cleaning discs. The low operating speeds, controlled flow, and disc tolerances make a multi-disc dehydrator ideal turnkey equipment that produces a steady volume of dewatered cake at a continuous rate, without the fear of constant maintenance, breakdown, or labour. Archer Separation is always ready to provide our expertise in tuning these systems, including services performed remotely.

Rollers automatically filter water

Multi-disc dehydrator discs are carefully designed to fit closely together, ensuring effective compression for removing water from sludge. These multi-layered discs also act as filters, allowing the pressed water to flow into holding basins and beyond. (Sludge is gravity-fed, finding its way into holding basins and beyond).

Wide tolerance of sludge varieties

Multi-disc dehydration is a system of constant compression and rotation. Accumulated sludge and water are gravity-fed respectively, meaning the discs are extremely resilient to clogging. This benefit extends multi-disc dehydrator applications to dissolved-air flotation (“DAF”) froth, mixed or coagulated sludges, and even excess sludge from biological processes or wastewater systems.

Low power requirements

The multi-disc dehydrator screw conveyor operates at a low, steady speed, making it quiet and easy to maintain. Its compact size and durable design make it a great choice for any operation. With just a few small motors, it uses less power than similar equipment, leading to long-term savings and efficient performance.

Cost savings

Using a multi-disc dehydrator not only reduces energy costs but also makes dewatered cake easier to transport and dispose of compared to wet sludge. Wet sludge can lead to high disposal fees and penalties. By using this technology, you can address both challenges efficiently while supporting sustainable environmental practices. In an increasing number of industrial applications, multi-disc dehydrators are becoming an ideal solution for dewatering systems.

If you or your facility are looking for a low cost, low maintenance solution to dehydrate organic sludge of DAF froth (or more!), contact Archer Separation about installation of a multi-disc dehydration system and we'll help you optimize your equipment for maximum benefit!