The La Junta Wastewater Treatment Plant in Colorado serves approximately 7,000 residents. Given the relatively small size of the facility, the plant had relied on a rented centrifuge for sludge dewatering for several years.
Although the centrifuge delivered the required dewatering performance, rental fees and ongoing operating costs were becoming an increasing burden on the plant’s budget. Over the long term, investing in its own sludge dewatering system offered a more cost-effective approach, providing the required capacity while reducing day-to-day operating costs.
The plant therefore decided to replace the rented centrifuge with a permanent mechanical sludge dewatering system. ESMIL Corp. was selected to design and manufacture the new system.
From a Centrifuge to an ESMIL Sludge Dewatering System
The decision to switch dewatering technologies was not driven by the centrifuge’s performance. Instead, the primary consideration was the long-term cost of sludge dewatering. In addition to rental fees, the centrifuge came with ongoing operating costs, including high energy consumption and mechanical wear associated with high-speed operation.
The plant therefore decided to invest in its own sludge dewatering system that would provide the required capacity while reducing day-to-day operating costs. Based on the plant’s process requirements, ESMIL Corp. selected and designed a system consisting of:
- Two MDQ-402 Multi-Disc Screw Presses, providing a combined hydraulic capacity of 40 GPM
- An integrated screw conveyor system for continuous removal and transport of dewatered sludge
Reducing Operating Costs with MDQ Multi-Disc Screw Presses (ESMIL-Tsurumi)
The MDQ Multi-Disc Screw Press is designed to reduce energy and wash water consumption while keeping routine maintenance requirements low:
- Low energy consumption – the MDQ dewatering press operates at just 1–2 rpm, resulting in low energy demand.
- Reduced wash water consumption – alternating fixed and moving discs continuously clean the filtration gaps, reducing the amount of wash water required.
- Low maintenance requirements – low-speed operation reduces mechanical wear, helping minimize routine maintenance and service needs.
Sludge Dewatering Performance with MDQ Multi-Disc Screw Presses
Following startup, the MDQ Multi-Disc Screw Presses achieved the specified process parameters, delivering the required capacity and cake solids. The results confirmed that the system was properly sized and configured for the operating requirements of the La Junta Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Benefits of Replacing the Centrifuge with an ESMIL Sludge Dewatering System
Replacing the rented centrifuge with a permanent ESMIL sludge dewatering system provided the La Junta Wastewater Treatment Plant with several economic and operational benefits:
- Investment in permanent plant infrastructure instead of continued rental costs – funds previously spent on centrifuge rental were redirected toward a sludge dewatering system that is now a permanent part of the plant’s infrastructure.
- Lower operating costs – low energy and wash water consumption combined with limited maintenance and service requirements help reduce the day-to-day cost of sludge dewatering.
- Greater operational independence – having its own dewatering system eliminates dependence on rented equipment and its availability, allowing the plant to operate the system according to its current sludge dewatering needs.
- A complete, integrated system from a single supplier – the plant received a complete sludge dewatering and conveying system, with all components selected and configured to work together, simplifying integration and day-to-day operation.
