Multi-Disk Screw Press MDQ
MDQ Multi-Disk Screw Press (Esmil-Tsurumi) provides efficient sludge dewatering for municipal wastewater treatment plants and a wide range of industrial applications. The system reliably handles sludge with high fats, oils and grease (FOG) content, ensuring stable and effective dewatering.
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The Esmil-Tsurumi MDQ Multi-Disk Screw Press is designed for efficient sludge dewatering in municipal wastewater treatment plants and a wide range of industrial facilities. It effectively dewaters various sludge types, including sludge containing fats, oils and grease (FOG), making it suitable for demanding sludge processing applications.
The MDQ sludge dewatering screw press operates with low energy demand and reduced consumption of polymer, flushing water and wear parts, helping plants lower operating costs. Depending on sludge characteristics, the press can achieve 18–40% dry solids content in the dewatered sludge cake.
Sludge Dewatering Applications for the MDQ Multi-Disk Screw Press
- Municipal wastewater treatment plants
- Water treatment plants
- Food processing industry
- Biogas plants
- Oil and gas industry
Key Advantages of the MDQ Multi-Disk Sludge Dewatering Screw Press
Reliability & Operational Stability
- Low-Speed Screw Rotation: The screw rotates at a very low speed (typically 0.5–2 rpm), reducing mechanical stress and enabling stable, continuous operation.
- Self-Cleaning Drum Design: Alternating fixed and moving disks continuously clean the filtration gaps during operation, helping prevent clogging and supporting stable sludge dewatering without the need for frequent manual cleaning.
Efficient Sludge Dewatering Performance
- Dewatering High-Fat and High-Oil Content Sludge: The MDQ sludge dewatering screw press can effectively dewater sludge with elevated fat and oil content, including sludge from DAF processes and the food processing industry.
- Optimal Flocculation: The integrated flocculation chamber allows flocs to form and mature under controlled conditions before entering the dewatering drums.
Energy and Resource Efficiency
- Low Energy Consumption: The slow screw rotation and drum design result in very low power consumption during operation (approx. 0.0004 kWh per 1 gallon of initial sludge).
- Minimal Wash Water Usage: The movement of the disks continuously cleans the filtration gaps, limiting the need for wash water.
Flexible Configuration
- Multiple Drum Design: The MDQ multi-disc screw press can be equipped with up to six dewatering drums, allowing capacity adjustment and maintenance flexibility.
Simple Operation & Maintenance
- User-Friendly Operation: The MDQ dewatering press is designed for straightforward operation, allowing plant personnel to manage the system after basic training.
- Convenient Maintenance: The horizontal drum configuration provides easy access to key components and simplifies replacement of wear parts.
Long Service Life
- Enhanced Drum Strength: Fixed disks are supported by a single drum frame, increasing the structural strength and stability of the dewatering drum.
- FREA-METAL Screw Protection: A bar made of highly wear-resistant FREA-METAL is welded to the screw blade edge, extending the screw shaft service life to approximately 50,000 operating hours.
- Precision-Manufactured Disks: MDQ disks are produced from a single metal piece with a flatness deviation of 0.025 mm. Advanced flattening technology reduces thickness deviation to 0.05 mm (compared with standard plate sheets of about 0.25 mm), helping extend disk service life and reduce part replacement.
Easy Installation and Plant Integration
- Compact Footprint: Compared with other sludge processing equipment, such as sludge belt presses, the MDQ unit requires significantly less installation space.
Sludge Dewatering Screw Press MDQ Design
The multi-disk screw press MDQ is manufactured from AISI 304 stainless steel (optionally AISI 316), ensuring high resistance to aggressive conditions in municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants and reliable long-term operation.
MDQ screw presses operate as part of complete mechanical sludge dewatering systems. A standard configuration typically includes the MDQ multi-disk screw press dehydrator, a sludge feed pump, a polymer preparation and dosing unit, and a system for conveying dewatered sludge.
Sludge Dewatering Drum Design
The key working element of the MDQ screw press is the dewatering drum assembly. It consists of alternating fixed and moving disks, forming two main zones: the thickening zone (low pressure) and the dewatering zone (high pressure).
Inside the disk assembly, a rotating screw transports the sludge from the inlet to the outlet. During operation, the screw induces movement of the moving disks, which continuously agitate the sludge and support effective water separation. This motion also enables continuous self-cleaning of the gaps between the disks, preventing clogging and allowing the filtrate to flow freely out of the drum.
Thanks to the low rotational speed of the dewatering drum (typically 1–2 rpm), the sludge dewatering process is characterized by low energy consumption and minimal wash water usage.
Multi-Disk Screw Press by ESMIL – Design Features Supporting Stable Sludge Dewatering
The MDQ screw press drum is designed to ensure stable, long-term operation in mechanical sludge dewatering processes while minimizing maintenance requirements. Its robust construction supports reliable sludge dewatering performance across a wide range of municipal and industrial wastewater treatment applications.
Drum Disk Thickness
The dewatering drum disks are manufactured with a thickness of 3 mm, exceeding typical designs used by other manufacturers. This increased thickness improves structural strength and significantly extends wear resistance and service life of the screw press.
Stainless Steel Construction
All disks are made exclusively from stainless steel, unlike some solutions that use plastic components. This material choice ensures durability, reliability and long-term performance under demanding sludge dewatering conditions.
Robust Disk Assembly
The disks are mounted within a carrier frame, creating a more rigid and durable structure compared to designs based on insert pins. This enhances overall mechanical stability and operational reliability in the sludge dewatering process.
Optimized Disk Geometry
The disks are designed with maximum width and inner diameter, increasing both structural integrity and internal volume. This contributes to improved process efficiency and enhanced sludge dewatering performance.
Screw Edge Protection
The screw edge is reinforced with a hard metal strip, significantly improving wear resistance and ensuring a service life exceeding 10 years.
Optionall Automation System Features for MDQ Sludge Dewatering Unit
The MDQ screw press for sludge dewatering can be equipped with advanced automation solutions that improve process control, operational efficiency and plant integration. These features support stable sludge dewatering performance while reducing operator involvement and enabling remote supervision.
How Can We Improve Your Sludge Dewatering System?
Our automation options are designed to adapt the sludge dewatering system to your specific plant requirements, ensuring optimal performance, reliability and ease of operation under varying process conditions.
Control Cabinet
A control cabinet equipped with a PLC controller and HMI touch panel ensures intuitive operation, monitoring and control of the sludge press machine.
External and Additional Touch Panels
Optional external and additional HMI panels provide greater flexibility and improved accessibility for operators.
Data Transfer and System Integration
Standard communication protocols enable seamless integration with plant control systems (APCS) and real-time equipment status monitoring.
Remote Process Control
The system can be monitored and controlled remotely via computer, tablet or smartphone, allowing full operational visibility.
Automatic Start-Up
Automated start-up can be configured based on external signals, schedules or predefined control algorithms, reducing manual intervention.
Technological Parameter Optimization
The system automatically adjusts process parameters to achieve maximum cake dryness while maintaining stable throughput.
Explosion-Proof Design
Electrical components and control cabinets can be designed to meet explosion-proof requirements, ensuring safe operation in hazardous environments.
Compared to conventional dewatering technologies, the MDQ multi-disk screw press offers a more stable and efficient approach to sludge treatment. As advanced sludge dewatering equipment, it combines low operating costs, reduced maintenance requirements and reliable performance across a wide range of applications.
Productivity of Multi-Disk Screw Press MDQ/MDC
*- information is based on experience of dewatering DAF-sludge with relatively high O&G concentration (40-60%) from meat processing plants (slaughter, poultry) and milk processing plants, etc.
The throughput mentioned above is calculated as an approximation and may vary depending on sludge characteristics. Contact Esmil for model selection assistance.
Dimensions guide
The Esmil Multi-Disk Screw Press MDQ is available in a range of sizes and models, depending on the size of your facility and the treatment that you would like to complete. The system is available with a dewatering unit that includes the necessary dewatering equipment, and it can also be mounted and fully assembled. See the available equipment dimensions below.
Technical characteristics of ESMIL-Tsurumi MDQ Multi-Disk Screw Presses
| Productivity on dry solids*, lbDS/h | 6.6-9,127 (11,111) |
| Hydraulic capacity, gpm | 1.3-1,585 |
| Drum nominal diameter, in | 4, 8, 16, 20 |
| Number of drums, pcs. | 1-6 |
| Rinsing water consumption, gph | 5.8-174.4 |
| Wash water nominal pressure, psi | 29-58 |
| Installed power, hp | 0.33-23.4 |
| Dimensions: - length, in - width, in - height, in | 70-243 32-157 57-96 |
| Weight: - transport, lb - in operation, lb | 680-23,150 1,120-43,430 |
* – the value in brackets corresponds to certain types of flotation sludge in the meat industry and sludge with high moisture-yielding ability
How time-consuming is the maintenance of the multi-disk screw press?
Equipment maintenance and servicing do not take much time (visual inspection and washing of the drum’s outer surface with water every three to four days).
Is it possible to conduct on-site testing of the MDQ screw press?
Yes, it is. The terms and conditions for such work are agreed upon receiving a request for testing.
Test downloads
