A Water Treatment Plant Reduces Costs of Removing Algae with a New Process


Russell Finex supply Liquid Solid Separators to help remove algae at a water treatment plant



With spring and summer giving rise to the formation of algal blooms, it is necessary for treatment plants to remove all the algae from the water before it is further treated.



One common water treatment process involves pumping raw water into two large continuously revolving micro strainers, which trap the algae on a drum covered with fine mesh. While the clean water is subsequently processed through coarse sand filters to remove any remaining algae, the self-cleaning system in the micro strainers washes the algae off the mesh.



Following a consultation with a Russell Finex sales representative, it was determined that the Liquid Solid Separator™ could be the ideal solution.  An onsite trial confirmed that the Russell separator was the right machine for removing the algae from the backwash water, before being stored in the settlement lagoon. 



Screening at 100 micron, the Liquid Solid Separators are put into action when algae levels in the backwash water are above 40,000 cells per milliliter. In order to guarantee there is no algae break up in the water, the Liquid Solid Separators are tilted at an angle to ensure the correct dryness of algae as it is discharged from the separator into the waste collection bin.



With its unique screening action, the Liquid Solid Separator™ keeps the filtration mesh clear of oversize particles, thereby maximizing liquid flow. A key necessity for the new system was for the machine to be self-cleaning. Therefore spray bars were installed inside the separator to back wash the mesh in position, to further ensure the mesh is kept clear at all times. The mesh does not need to be manually cleaned, so can consequently run without operator involvement.



With recent climate changes being a threat to the sustainability of water services, it is even more imperative that the backwash water is reclaimed. The separators prevent the water quality in the lagoons from deteriorating. As a result, this also enables substantial cost savings by eliminating the need to remove sludge from the lagoon.



For more information, please visit www.russellfinex.com or email sales@russellfinexinc.com



Russell Finex has over 75 years of experience manufacturing and supplying vibratory separators, industrial sifters and filters to enhance productivity and ensure product quality. The company serves a variety of industries in over 140 countries with applications that include adhesives, ceramics, chemicals, colors, enamels, explosives, food, inks, latex, metal powders, paint, paper coatings, pharmaceuticals, plastisols, powder coating, and waste oils.


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