Efficiency and energy savings are major priorities for water and wastewater treatment plants.

Those attributes were on display in many products exhibited at the 2016 Water & Wastewater Equipment, Treatment & Transport Show in Indianapolis. An example is the Model 3DP belt filter press from BDP Industries, which offers high feed flow rates, easy access for service, and reduced maintenance in producing cake at 16 to 35 percent solids. Drier material cuts hauling costs.

“We replace a lot of antiquated systems,” says Mike Smith, sales engineer. “The unit also replaces drying beds and lagoon systems.” The Model 3DP has been used in hundreds of applications around the country.

The Model 3DP uses a three-belt technology that allows for independent speed control in each zone. A unique independent gravity zone applies gravity and pressure zones to maximize the belt fabric and yield a thicker cake. “It’s dewatered by pressure and shear force,” says Smith.

Although the press is not new, the company continues to make improvements every year. For instance, the press has a curved wedge layout that more effectively applies pressure to the cake. By simply curving the wedge, pressure is applied immediately and the entire belt length is used.

A vertical roll configuration eliminates rewetting by keeping the filtrate from rolling back into the lower rollers. The filtrate instead drips to filtrate pans beneath each roll, improving cake retention. Also, to eliminate roll failures, BDP designed the 3DP to carry the stress load on the solid inner roll. This reduces stress fatigue and helps lower maintenance costs.

In addition, the Model 3DP does not require a platform. Instead, the gravity zone and controls are at operator level, simplifying daily work and maintenance. A tubular frame design eliminates corners and ledges, creating smoother surfaces that simplify cleaning. “It saves area, time and money for plants,” says Smith.

The company markets the unit as a highly durable, rugged machine with a life expectancy of 20 years. Tubular frame construction and a hot-dip galvanized coating inside and out add reliability and provide corrosion resistance.

Smith calls the WWETT Show a positive experience: Attendees visited their booth throughout the show’s three days of exhibits. “We had small interest from operators, but quite a bit of interest from the handling side,” he says. “There are lots of uses for haulers who are doing high quantity.” 518/695-5417; www.bdpindustries.com.