Apart from achieving water for safe disposal, construction companies often find that treating slurry at work sites can also provide a sustainable supply of clarified water for reuse onsite, thereby reducing transport and disposal costs in the long run.
Slurry typically consists of rocks, sand, silt and other fine particles. To obtain clarified water for reuse or disposal, these solid particles must be removed systematically. First, a Desander will remove the larger particles of up to 50um (e.g. rocks, sand, silt). The remaining slurry will then need to be fed into a Decanter Centrifuge to remove the finer particles of 5-50um (e.g. fine silt, clay).
How a Decanter Centrifuge works:
A Decanter Centrifuge works based on the theory of Centrifugal Force, which is essentially 1000-4000 times of the normal gravitational force.
Here’s an illustration:
If you fill a glass with a mixture of mud and water. Over time, the weight of the mud will cause it to settle at the bottom of the glass (gravitational force) while the water remains at the top. A clear separation between the mud and the water is revealed.
A Decanter Centrifuge works on similar theory, except that the separation process is expedited from hours to seconds. In essence, a centrifuge bowl is a “glass” whose base is wrapped around a centre line. Through rapid and continuous rotation, gravitational effect is replaced by a centrifugal force which pushes the denser particles outwards against the rotating bowl wall – similar to spinning laundry in a washing machine.
Inside the Decanter Centrifuge:
- Slurry is fed into the centrifuge bowl through a pump.
- The bowl that is rotating at high speeds will produce centrifugal forces which will then separate the solid particles from liquid in a matter of seconds.
- Separated solids are removed through an output on one end of the unit, by a horizontal screw conveyor which rotates at a differential speed from the bowl.
- At the same time, clarified liquid is discharged from the other end of the unit, which is now safe for disposal or reusing at work site.
Key Advantages:
- Compact and mobile
Its compact size makes its easy for transportation between work sites, and does not take up much space onsite.
- Ease of installation
The device does not require a foundation to build upon, and is easy to start up and shut down.
- Clean process
The Decanter provides a clean slurry treatment process and does not involve splashing of mud which tend to cause site odour problems.
- Reduced labour costs
The device does not require much operator attention and maintenance.
Although there are initial setup costs for treating slurry internally, the longer-term savings will supersede the disposal costs incurred otherwise.
JK&T offers a wide range of slurry management systems such as the Desander and Decanter Centrifuge, both of which are fully operational at selected LTA and PUB project work sites and have proven to be economical in the long run. We also work with our chemical additives specialist to recommend additives best suited for your slurry type.
Contact us at enquiries@jktgroup.com.sg or visit our page for details.