The Enclosed Gravity Belt Thickener (EGBT) from BDP Industries provides exceptional performance and throughput capacity while offering full containment of process fluids and odor control. The hoods incorporate clear panels allowing operators to view the process. The panels are easily removable without tools for ease of maintenance, cleaning and adjustments. The EGBT is a great combination of thickening performance with containment that does not sacrifice accessibility. 

The EGBT has been gaining popularity in recent years, achieving the same containment standards as other thickening technologies, but with the added benefit of high throughput capacity, high solids capture, and very low O&M costs. The Newtown Creek WWTP case study is a great example, highlighting the benefits of the EGBT. In 2016, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection installed a 2.0 m EGBT. The goal was to operate the unit continuously while collecting performance and maintenance data to compare with the existing thickening centrifuges. The EGBT has operated for over 43,000 hours, achieving impressive results. Operating at an average hydraulic loading rate of 500 to 800 gpm, the EGBT achieves solids capture rates of 90% or higher, compared to an average of 75% from the thickening centrifuges. The EGBT also achieves an average of 6% to 8% TS discharge concentration, compared to 5.5% from the centrifuge. The electrical power required was reduced by 95%. The EGBT has documented a fraction of the maintenance costs, as compared to the thickening centrifuges.  

The access and features of the EGBT are continuously improved and refined. The current design includes the options for automatic plow lifts that operate on timers set on the touchscreen, LED lights inside the odor hoods for better viewing of the process, and spray nozzles in the odor hoods to automate the washdown process.