Sludge Dewatering System Upgrade – Innovative Park, Hong Kong

Project Overview

A leading industrial wastewater treatment facility at Innovative Park, Hong Kong required a robust, automated sludge dewatering solution to handle increased hydraulic and solids loading while meeting stringent environmental discharge requirements.

The scope comprised the supply, installation, and commissioning of a side-bar type automatic membrane filter press, complete with fully integrated ancillary systems for sludge conditioning, polymer preparation, and process control—delivering reliable, round-the-clock dewatering performance.

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Client Challenge

• Rising sludge volumes from expanded production processes.

• Need to reduce moisture content to minimize off-site disposal costs.

• Compliance with Hong Kong EPD (Environmental Protection Department) standards for dewatered cake solids content.

• Requirement for fully automated operation with remote monitoring capabilities.

• Limited plant footprint—solution had to integrate into existing infrastructure without disrupting operations.

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Solution Provided

A turnkey sludge dewatering system centered around a side-bar automatic membrane filter press, engineered and installed to the consultant’s exact specifications.

Key Equipment Supplied

• Membrane Filter Press (Side-Bar Type, Automatic)

◦ High-pressure membrane squeeze for superior cake dryness.

◦ Automatic plate shifting, cloth washing, and cake discharge.

• Polymer Preparation Unit (PPU)

◦ Fully automated dry polymer feeding, aging, and dilution.

◦ Consistent flocculant quality for optimized sludge conditioning.

• Sludge Feed Pumps (2 No.)

◦ New centrifugal or progressive cavity pumps sized for design flow and pressure.

• Polymer Dosing Pumps

◦ Precision metering pumps for accurate polymer addition.

• Compressed Air System Interface

◦ Membrane squeeze air supply.

◦ Core blow-down for cake release.

◦ Instrumentation and pneumatic valve actuation.

• Control & Monitoring System

◦ Signal cabling to the central remote control room.

◦ Full automation with HMI interface supporting both automatic and manual modes.

◦ Real-time status monitoring, alarms, and data logging.

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Design & Operational Highlights

• Daily Operation Capability: Designed for continuous daily throughput aligned with peak sludge generation cycles.

• Sludge Conditioning: Integrated polymer make-up and dosing ensures optimal flocculation before filtration.

• Energy Efficiency: Utilizes existing compressed air infrastructure to reduce auxiliary power demand.

• Automation & Safety: PLC-controlled sequence reduces operator intervention while maintaining safe operating limits.

• Remote Monitoring: Enables plant operators to supervise performance and troubleshoot without being on the equipment floor.