1. 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 There are 76 installations worldwide.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. Sludge Sucker™