In 2017, ESMIL Group completed a project involving the production and delivery of an MDQ-403C multi-disc screw press for one of the global leaders in the cosmetics industry.
In 2026, this project entered a new stage. After years of operation, the client decided to increase the unit’s capacity by upgrading it to the MDQ-403 CL (long) model through replacement of the dewatering drums with longer ones.
Operating conditions and process parameters
The press is used for dewatering flotation sludge with an initial dry solids concentration of 4.5%, processing more than 2,600 m³ of sludge per month.
Operating parameters of the MDQ-403C (before modernization):
- dry solids throughput: 180 kg DS/h
- hydraulic capacity: 4 m³/h
- polymer consumption: 4.5 kg/t DS
- dry solids content in dewatered cake: 30-35%
Increasing press capacity through dewatering drum replacement
To increase the unit’s performance, the existing dewatering drums were replaced with a longer version of the same diameter. This modification allows the capacity of the MDQ multi-disc screw press to be increased by 25%.
This solution was selected due to limited space available in the room where the press operates. From the process perspective, the achieved increase in capacity fully meets the plant’s requirements.
Operating parameters of the MDQ-403 CL (after drum replacement):
- dry solids throughput: 225 kg DS/h
- hydraulic capacity: 5 m³/h
All other operating parameters remain unchanged, allowing the process conditions to stay the same while increasing overall performance.
Summary
This project demonstrates that increasing capacity does not always require expansion of the installation or replacement of the entire unit. In the case of the MDQ multi-disc screw press (ESMIL-Tsurumi), the system can be adapted to changing process requirements while maintaining the existing infrastructure.
In addition, the MDQ multi-disc screw press provides the customer with:
- reduced sludge disposal costs
- a high level of automation and simplified operation
- no fast-wearing components and minimal maintenance requirements.
