New dewatering technology said to be 1400% faster
A new dewatering technology that separates water from solids at continuous flow rates up to 1400% faster than existing methods is being claimed by the Black & Veatch Corporation.
The new technology, says Black & Veatch, meets increasing market demands for a more efficient and environmentally friendly method for dewatering solids and waterway restoration.
Enables any slurry to be rapidly separated
The Rapid Dewatering System™ enables any slurry to be rapidly separated into water and solids. It will be initially marketed as a service and is expected to be particularly beneficial for waterway restoration and marina maintenance.
Other applications include renewing ash ponds in the power industry and waste lagoons from process facilities. In some applications, the system can be configured to be a permanent in-line process reducing or eliminating the need for storage tanks and ponds and providing savings in both space and treatment costs.
Traditional method is costly and time consuming
"The traditional 'scoop, scrape and truck-the-muck' method of waterway restoration is costly, time consuming and a strain on the environment," said Joe McGonagle, president of Black & Veatch Special Projects Corporation. "Compared to other traditional and alternative methods, our Rapid Dewatering System finishes the job more quickly and cost effectively. The system has a small operating footprint with a minimal disruption to the surrounding area and the environment." The market potential for this new technology is projected to be substantial.
"I've never seen a tool like this before," said William Wetta II, President of Dredging Supply Company of New Orleans, LA. "The market is definitely there for this type of technology."
System has design throughput rate of 3,000 gpm
Development of the patent-pending technology started in 1990. "We were approached by a client who asked if a more efficient system could be developed to separate water from solids in a dredge slurry," continued McGonagle. Systems on the market handle only hundreds of gallons of water per minute. The Rapid Dewatering System has a design throughput rate of 3,000 continuous gallons per minute.
The dewatering equipment is modular in design and allows flexibility in system configuration and operations. This flexibility enables the technology to be used in a wide range of site conditions and materials. In some cases, Black & Veatch points out, beneficial reuse of solids is possible for such applications as structural fill, parks and recreation areas, roadway shoulders and right-of-ways.
About Black & Veatch: Black & Veatch Corporation is a global engineering and construction firm specializing in the fields of energy, water, and information technology. Black & Veatch provides complete engineering, procurement, construction, architectural, financial, asset management, IT and management consulting services for utilities, industry, and government agencies. Headquartered in Kansas City, MO, the employee-owned company has more than 90 offices worldwide. Black & Veatch is ranked 63rd on the Forbes "500 Top Private Companies in the U.S." listing for 2000. For Information contact: Corrine Smith, director of corporate communications at 913-458-3500 or corrine@bv.com
Edited by Joyce Everhart
Content Manager, Public Works Online
jeverhart@vertical.net
Source: Black & Veatch
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