Until now, designing and specifying a headworks bar screen has focused on peak flow to determine the size of bar openings. This was necessary to prevent overflows. Duperon has envisioned the problem differently by asking “what if the design didn’t need to focus on peak flows, because the bar screen itself adapted to them?”
Collections systems often include many miles of pipe. During low or average flows, solids settle throughout the system and grease forms a thick coating in the pipe that remains in place until an event dislodges it. Peaking events do just that, bringing enough force to scour the grease and debris from the channel, generating a significant solids event at the headworks. This is commonly known as a “first flush” event.
Operators prefer these solids be removed at the headworks before they enter the downstream grit systems and clarifiers in order to maximize plant efficiency. However, engineers must size bar screens with openings to meet peak flow requirements. So, there can be a tradeoff: a larger opening reduces effective solids collection during normal flow, potentially allowing solids to pass through and interfere with downstream equipment. What if one screen could maximize the efficiency in both conditions?
Duperon has been listening to end users and engineers for nearly 40 years. By studying the design dilemma of sizing bar screens, the Duperon research and development team has discovered that it is now possible to safely, effectively size bar openings for average flows without the risks of overflow or unscreened bypass.
A responsive bar screen
The Duperon next-generation FlexRake bar screening system, the FlexRake IQ platform, has three unique characteristics that, together, provide four times the debris-removal capability in one system. First, the FlexRake IQ intelligently responds to changes in flow and head loss with increasing levels of speed.
Second, the scrapers, links and discharge components have been re-engineered to carry the additional debris.
Finally, the link system itself has been designed to rapidly re-engage the scraper into the bar screen after flexing, allowing it to remove large debris commonly found in peak events.
Even after the heaviest solids have been removed, the hydraulic peak continues. To address the ongoing high flow, the new FlexRake IQ features the patented FlexRake IQ2 control logic, which automatically transforms the screen opening size to handle peak flow conditions. Then, once flows have returned to normal, the screen automatically transforms back to the finest opening and slowest operating speed.
The intuitive new FlexRake IQ physically and operationally adapts to changing flow characteristics without operator intervention. During average flows, debris capture is maximized using the finest appropriate screen. Then, heavy solids events are handled automatically, removing four times more debris than with current bar screen designs. Finally, when conditions require a larger opening for maximum hydraulic capacity, the FlexRake IQ2 transforms the size of the bar opening.
Now, operators can have the benefits of fine screening without the risk of overflows. The FlexRake IQ with IQ2 from Duperon automates plant resilience with a smart design that delivers peace of mind.
Duperon Corp. is a leader in simple, adaptive screening technologies and provides solutions for coarse screening, fine screening, low-flow screening, ultrascreening, washing compacting and conveying.
800-383-8479 | info@duperon.com | www.duperon.com
