In the daily operation of a wastewater treatment plant, sludge dewatering is often the stage that most clearly confirms whether equipment can sustain long-term performance. Stable operation, minimal downtime, and predictable maintenance costs are critical factors.
At the wastewater treatment plant in Central Europe, the ESMIL-Tsurumi MDQ dewatering press has been operating continuously for more than 10 years. During this period, the unit has maintained stable process parameters, and total service costs have remained below EUR 2,000 (approx. USD 2,400).
Low Service Costs Over Long-Term Operation
More than 11 years of operation corresponds to an average annual service cost of approximately EUR 190 (approx. USD 225). In practical terms, maintaining the unit represents only a small portion of the facility’s overall operating budget.
By comparison, for many other sludge dewatering technologies – such as centrifuges, belt filter presses, or screw presses – service costs over a similar period can reach up to EUR 50,000 (approx. USD 60 000).
Stable Performance for Over a Decade
For the MDQ multi-disk screw press operating at municipal WWTP, long-term operation has not resulted in the typical performance issues associated with extended use. No measurable decline in efficiency has been recorded, and dewatering process parameters have remained stable throughout the entire period.
In many dewatering systems, gradual performance deterioration is observed over time. In this case, this has not occurred.
Preventive Service After More Than 21,000 Operating Hours
After approximately 21,000 operating hours, the operator elected to perform preventive maintenance to support continued long-term operation. The scope of work included replacement of the dewatering drums and was completed on site. The work was carried out over two days and did not require extended downtime.
Fast Maintenance Due to the MDQ’s Modular Design
The short service time was not coincidental. The MDQ dewatering unit incorporates a modular design that allows key components to be replaced quickly in a plug-and-play configuration – without dismantling the entire machine or disrupting plant operations.
In practice, this reduces the risk of extended downtime and provides greater control over maintenance scheduling. For the treatment plant, this translates into more predictable and stable operation.
