A new technology for circular sludge settlement tanks in wastewater treatment has the potential to achieve major operating and energy-savings for all UK water companies.
Launched in the UK by Hydro International, the ZickertTM Rotating Sludge Scraper builds on the success of proven technology for rectangular tanks. With 90% of sludge settlement tanks estimated to be circular in the UK, the innovative technology looks set to see widespread retrofitting uptake, in addition to its incorporation in new installations. It achieves the same lower-energy and high-sludge performance of rectangular ZickertTM scrapers and is suitable for primary, humus and final settlement tanks.
Keith Hayward, UK Sales and Marketing Manager for Hydro Wastewater commented:
“The ZickertTM Rotating Sludge Scraper is a unique concept in scraper technology with great potential to upgrade the UK’s installed base of circular tanks, delivering significant advantages in through-life operating costs as well as odour control advantages.”
“Traditional rotating bridge scrapers need frequent service and maintenance. They can also be prone to wear and mechanical breakdown. Now a new way of removing sludge without a bridge or moving electrical connection point has been developed and proven.”
The technology features an innovative peripheral drive and rotating scraper design. The electrical drive is located on the perimeter tank wall with a static electrical connection point meaning no sliprings are needed. The bottom scraper blades are rotated via a circular ladder rail inside the tank wall, moving settled sludge to the collection point. Where surface scum has to be skimmed off, the scraper frame is equipped with an additional top blade which directs scum to a scum beach and trough on the tank perimeter.
With few moving parts, the complete ZickertTM 3700 installation is easy and inexpensive to maintain. The technology has already been successfully proven by wastewater treatment operators in Europe and builds on the reliability and high performance of existing ZickertTM technology. The new scraper has undergone over 12 months of full scale operation internationally by the designers and developers, Nordic Water, with performance exceeding expectations.
In the UK, the new ZickertTM 3700 launch will build on existing ZickertTM rectangular installations of major utilities companies such as Thames Water, Southern Water, Anglian Water, Scottish Water and United Utilities.
Albion Water, the first NAV (New Appointment & Variation) to have been established in1999 and now under the ownership of SDS Water Group, has appointed Andy Holland as its new Director of Business Development.
UK water companies are invited to join an upcoming webinar which will explore how the sector can take indirect potable reuse (IPR) from concept to full-scale operational reality.
James Sumsion, CEO of predictive water intelligence specialists Kohtari, says the water sector needs to take a giant leap forward, so that it can anticipate and act upon water quality issues - rather than merely react.
Ray Moulds, Sales Director at Flood Control International, takes a look at how automated sliding floodgates are supporting secondary containment at water and sewerage company sites.
Hear how Scottish Water has completed its £235 million Ayrshire Glasgow Resilience Project - customers across Greater Glasgow, Ayrshire and East Renfrewshire will now benefit from a more secure and resilient water supply.
Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest.
Find out more about the remarkable career opportunities on offer at WSP - scroll down to watch the inspirational video.