Severn Trent's Effluent Removal by Centrifuge Technology

Unique centrifuge technology by Severn Trent enhances offshore marine solids handling

Severn Trent De Nora has recently incorporated the CentraSep® vertical self-discharging (VSD) centrifuge technology from Advanced Separation Technologies (AST) into its solids handling equipment package. With the offshore marine industry's driving focus on health and safety, the OMNIPURE technology's sanitary handling of solids with minimal operator attendance at the unit sets a benchmark in "hands off" solids waste handling specifically for the offshore marine environment.

"Severn Trent De Nora spent significant time and expense evaluating a variety of centrifugal technologies," said Dana Casbeer, offshore and marine product line manager for Severn Trent De Nora. "The performance of most centrifugal technologies left us concerned that the core technology would not be acceptable in our application. However, the CentraSep VSD technology proved to be a game changer."

The CentraSep unit incorporates a high-quality, structurally sound, mechanical centrifuge design and has been specifically manufactured for the corrosive offshore environment. "During our full scale testing, the CentraSep unit operated essentially hands free," said Casbeer. "This sort of trouble-free operation is a testament to the overall design and quality of the equipment.

"Due to the very fine nature of the suspended solids in the liquid solids stream, we knew it would take a specialized piece of equipment to effectively meet our required removal goals. The centrifugal force of approximately 2,000 Gs generated by the CentraSep unit promotes effective removal of both large and sub-micron particulate, making the resultant discharge cake very dense and dry with no visible liquid present."

Safer solids handling
The operational benefit of incorporating the centrifuge technology into the OMNIPURE unit is effective processing of solids that are removed by the system with minimal operator exposure and intervention. The solids are handled automatically, minimizing the arduous maintenance duties required with other methods of solids handling.

The dewatered solids produced by the OMNIPURE system with the CentraSep VSD technology have been tested through independent third party analysis (Tulane University, to be published in the near future) and characterized as a "Class B" sludge. This is a significant difference between the OMNIPURE system and most other MSDs because these dewatered solids can be land-filled or disposed of by traditional waste management methods without fear of environmental impact, penalties or a risk to life and health.