Sludge Sucker™ Background Info: Sludge Suckers are a settled sludge removal device. They consist of a header which is towed along a track via a cable. WesTech includes the header, track, cable, drive, and controls for the system. The product has been around since 1992. There are 76 installations worldwide.

Sludge Sucker™ Sludge suckers are applied to concrete settling basins. They are also featured in the tube clarifier section of the Trident HS family of products.

Sludge Sucker™ is a Moving Sludge Collection Header Components of the sludge sucker system are the drive, stainless steel drive cable, idler pulleys, monorail track, and sludge collection header. Sludge Sucker systems are commonly paired with plate settler systems such as WesTech’s Super Settler system. WesTech also makes high quality trough systems for situations where plate settlers aren’t necessary.

Applications Surface water clarification systems Iron and manganese precipitation Light coagulant sludge (Alum, Ferric, etc.) Used in Trident HS and Trident HSC systems Retrofit existing basins Does not require sludge sump Lower capital cost than other retrofit removal systems Applications are as noted on the slide. Sedimentations for surface water clarification is the most common use. Recently, the most common use is in the Trident HS family of projects.

Sludge Sucker Components Offer Corrosion Resistance Drive cable with pulleys (stainless steel and plastic) Monorail guide track (stainless steel) Towed suction header with monorail truck (stainless) Hose (plastic) Control panel with programmable controller Drive motor with variable speed drive Below Water Level Above Water Level Corrosion resistant construction is highly important with the work these units see. Materials can always be adjusted based on project needs.

Sludge Sucker Units Handle a Range of Basin Sizes Header width: 8-30 ft. wide Travel distance: 125 ft. total Two headers per drive on units longer than 100 ft. Sludge withdrawal controlled via manual rate set plug valve and automatic open/close diaphragm valve Need 4 ft. minimum between floor and obstruction Plate settlers, tube settlers, collector troughs For wider basins, multiple headers side by side are used.

Installation Experience 76 installation locations 172 units First installation: 1992 in Batesburg, SC Largest installation: Columbia, SC - 24 units Longest installation: Salem, VA at 152’-3” There are many installations, so we have the experience to meet our customer’s challenges.

Sludge Sucker™