When the volume of generated sludge began to exceed the capacity of the existing dewatering system, the wastewater treatment plant in Hicksville (Ohio, USA) faced a serious challenge. The traditional drying beds could no longer meet the increasing process demands, which led to difficulties in maintaining operational stability.
In this situation, the plant’s team turned to our American branch – Esmil Corp, which operates a fleet of mobile dewatering units. These solutions allow for a rapid response in emergency situations, without the need for costly investments or complex projects.
Each unit has been designed for quick and straightforward deployment, enabling wastewater treatment plants to receive immediate support during periods of increased load or unplanned downtime.
This was also the case in Hicksville, where we provided a mobile dewatering unit based on the MDQ-502CS multi-disc screw press. This solution made it possible to quickly stabilise the process and maintain continuous plant operation – at a time when every minute counted.
Project Background
The wastewater treatment plant in Hicksville processes aerobically digested sludge (WAS) with an initial dry solids content of 3.1%. Until recently, the facility relied on drying beds for sludge dewatering; however, over time, the volume of sludge requiring treatment began to increase rapidly. When it exceeded approximately 3,800 m³, the plant was forced to temporarily store the sludge in a holding tank.
The Challenge: Dewater Nearly 3,800 m³ of Sludge in One Month
To avoid process downtime, the wastewater treatment plant faced a demanding task – to dewater approximately 3,800 m³ of sludge within a single month. The goal was ambitious: the plant planned to operate 12 hours a day, five days a week.
That’s when the ESMIL mobile dewatering unit came into action.
ESMIL Solution: Mobile Dewatering Unit MDQ-502CS
To support the plant in the sludge dewatering process, the ESMIL team delivered our latest mobile dewatering unit to Hicksville, equipped with the MDQ-502CS multi-disc screw press.
The entire installation is mounted on a steel skid with a gooseneck trailer, allowing for quick transport and easy start-up at any location.
Equipment of the ESMIL Mobile Dewatering System
The dewatering unit includes:
- MDQ-502CS multi-disc screw press,
- sludge feed pump,
- magnetic flow meter,
- control panel with HMI interface,
- screw conveyor.
The MDQ-502CS press is equipped with two dewatering drums of impressive dimensions – 500 mm in diameter and 2,400 mm in length – currently the largest drums of this type available on the market.
Thanks to its design, the unit perfectly met the project’s requirements – within the first few days of operation, it achieved a 23% dry solids content in the dewatered cake, effectively supporting the dewatering process and stabilising the plant’s performance.
Summary
The ESMIL mobile dewatering unit enabled the Hicksville wastewater treatment plant to maintain continuous operation and effectively manage the accumulated sludge.
Thanks to its plug-and-play design, the installation was commissioned almost immediately upon delivery, allowing the dewatering process to begin without unnecessary delays.
Such solutions provide facilities with the flexibility they need in emergency situations or during periods of increased load – enabling them to respond quickly, minimise downtime risk and maintain stable process performance.
