The product is a cake with a high solids concentration along with a filtrate containing few solids which is then treated or reused in the process itself. Because the equipment is fully enclosed, there are no odours or other emissions. Limitations Performance is less satisfactory when the sludges contain little free water. This limitation is common to all sludge dewatering processes. There are currently six models of varying size and capacity.
Selection depends on the type of sludge and the quantities requiring treatment.
The presses vary in weight from 170 to 10,000 kg. Operation requires little human intervention and about 10 kWh of power per tonne dry weight treated. Workers require no special protective clothing. Costs The equipment purchase cost is competitive with that of similar technologies. Fournier Industries Inc. Twelve units are currently in operation at the Rive-Sud treatment plant in Longueuil, the Auteuil treatment plant in Laval, the Deschambault septic tank sludge treatment centre and in the Montreal Urban Community, among others.