Sewage Sludge Treatment is under Pressure

As a first result of this qualification, the order for the supply of a high-pressure pump with a capacity of 3,5 m³/h at a working pressure of 290 bar was placed with FELUWA some months ago. End of January, the test run of the unit was successfully completed in Mürlenbach works, witnessed by representatives of the client and FELUWA’s agent in Sweden. The unit has been released for shipment.

Worldwide, there are already numerous FELUWA high-pressure pumps in service for the handling of mineral sludge and other slurries of high dry solid content. The recently supplied unit however is the first pump of such remarkable pressure range that is applied for the handling of wastewater.

The machine is part of a new type of oxidation plant, by means of which harmful substances in supercritical wastewater are destroyed. The oxidation process promises enormous savings in sewage sludge treatment and at the same time a 99.9 % destruction of organics and of toxic, dangerous or particularly resistant substances.

The new procedure is regarded as a milestone on the way to a improved wastewater treatment and offers an alternative to other methods of treatment that have been applied so far, such as combustion, depository and sections of biobed purification.

With the oxidation of super-critical water, the wastewater is fed into a reactor at a pressure of 275 bar. There it is heated to a temperature of approximately 400° C.

The addition of oxygen starts an oxidation process, whereby the temperature increases to about 600° C. By this means, even most resistant and toxic substances are converted into carbon dioxide and water. The so-called Aqua Critox Method meets all requirements of an economic system to treat harmful wastes.

A long and hard competition against competitors preceded recent shipment.

For reliability tests of the new system, FELUWA supplied a pump with lower flow rate for a pilot plant in Sweden 1997 already, which has been examined very thoroughly by an independent engineering group.

After a test phase of almost 4 years and the comparison of different makes, FELUWA could notch up the success and was favoured by the order for the supply of a first high-pressure pump of full volume.

Above all, the distinctive reliability of the hose diaphragm piston pump was the decisive factor for the decision in the favour of FELUWA. Due to the combination of a flat diaphragm with a hose diaphragm, this unit ensures double safety and maximum availability.

Furthermore, the FELUWA pump is designed with delivery valves that provide an extremely favourable flow path. These valves are easily replaceable, which is particularly advantageous when handling solids-carrying fluids.

FELUWA disposes of decades of experience in the fabrication of high-pressure pumps for highest standards with outstanding reliability. Energy-saving control systems and the maintenance-friendly design of the FELUWA hose diaphragm piston pumps keep running costs comparatively low. All in all, the parties concerned expect an excellent future sales potential in conjunction with the wet oxidation process.