Tube-bundle clarifiers

The separation of solids from liquid media occurs in water and wastewater technologies, for example, by means of sedimentation tanks, where solids can sediment under defined conditions. Sedimentation is understood as the separation of suspended solids from a liquid using gravitational force. The degree of effectiveness of a sedimentation is characterized by the hydraulic conditions in the tank. The most significant criteria are:

• specific surface feeding
• sludge loading
• retention time
• flow velocity
• laminar, i.e. non-turbulent flow

An increase of the wastewater loading or higher requirements for the effluent quality requires the construction of larger and more effective sedimentation tanks. Therefore, it is essential to develop efficient solutions.

A significant improvement of the sedimentation of dissolved components from liquids is achieved by installing tube-bundle clarifier. By this, the sedimentation area is multiplied by several times. The tube bundle constructed at a slope of 60° in the cross construction design creates the short sedimentation paths and fast concentration of sediments and flocculants.

In cases of inefficient sedimentation and separation of dissolved components in existing sedimentation tank flocculant output), then an essential improvement can be achieved with the tube-bundle clarifier.

The tube-bundle clarifiers are delivered in individual modules. Parallel plates and vertical supporting walls form tube channels with square cross-sections. The tube channels of two adjacent plates are arranged crosswise against one another so that the module, which is approx. 3 m long, 0.75 m wide and 0.52 m high, despite of the low weight of approx. 25 kg are available over an extraordinarily high rigidity. The material used is resistant against sunlight and biological influences.

The materials correspond to German food regulations and may, thereupon, also be applied in the drinking water section. The installation is carried out in a loading construction, which is fixed at the tank walls or overflow weirs. Possible reconstructions of sludge removal equipment can be implemented in most cases without difficulties. In individual cases, an additional arrangement of conducting walls must be provided for a consistent inflow of the module.