Clarifiers & Thickeners

QUALITY, EXPERIENCE AND RELIABILITY

Kusters Water is an industry leader in all types of clarification and thickening equipment for water and wastewater
treatment. Our products are in operation at hundreds of facilities around the world and are utilized daily for
primary, secondary, and final clarification processes, as well as sludge thickening. Our innovative technologies,
superior designs, and in-house drive manufacturing result in a superior product for our customers. Our team is
ready to assist you with new equipment designs, optimization retrofits, and/or upgrades.

BRIDGE SUPPORTED UNITS

Bridge supported clarifiers and thickeners are offered in sizes ranging from 5’ to 80’ in diameter. Primary, secondary, and final clarification are
typical applications. Every unit includes a worm, planetary, helical or spur gear drive unit designed in accordance with current AGMA or ISO
standards to ensure the absolute highest quality and a minimum 20-year service life. Small diameter “shop built” units are offered in sizes up
to 12 feet in diameter. Each unit is test-fit, then shipped to the customer partially assembled to reduce installation time and costs. Components
typically include: steel tank shell, inlet and outlet nozzles, collector mechanism, effluent collection trough with weir and baffle plates, scum
skimmers, feedwell access bridge with decking and handrail, and all required appurtenances.

Model BSTT Model BSTT-S

PIER SUPPORTED UNITS

Pier supported scraper clarifiers and thickeners are designed for all applications involving
sludge removal and thickening. Flow enters through the center pier then discharges through
four outlet ports located at the top of the center column of the basin and into either a controlled
energy dissipating inlet (EDI) well or feedwell. The energy dissipating inlet / feedwell dissipates
the influent energy, minimizes density currents, and enhances settling. Solids are collected at
the bottom of the basin and raked to a collection sump located in the tank floor. The clarified
effluent exits over the weir plates and out of the basin.
Model HBST
Spiral Blade Clarifier Systems
Spiral blade clarifiers are commonly used in primary and secondary clarification. The
logarithmic spiral curve and deep blades provide a more effective means of sludge transport.
Variable rotational speeds are recommended to allow for optimizing sludge removal and overall
clarifier performance. Multiple accessories can be incorporated into the clarifier including:
density current baffles, (EDI) energy inlets, full surface skimmers, ducking skimmers, FRP
feedwells, and sludge collection manifolds.

Model HBPS-S
RAPID SLUDGE REMOVAL CLARIFIERS
Rapid sludge removal clarifiers are specifically designed to provide quick and uniform removal
of return activated sludge (RAS). Two suction styles are available.

Suction Pipe
Model HBSL collectors utilize collection pipes located at multiple points along each clarifier
arm. Suction is generated by a differential in head developed from the partially submerged
return sludge well located at the center of the clarifier. Each collection pipe is equipped with
Model HBSL
a return flow variator that controls the rate of sludge return and provides a visual indicator of
the quality of RAS. Every pipe discharges into the rotating central return sludge well, then by
gravity exits through a vertical steel pipe located inside the center pier. The size and quantity of
pipes are selected according to the RAS flow rates. Rotating trough, straight tube designs are
also available, model HBSL-S.

Suction Header
Model HBMS collectors utilize a rotating tapered sludge
collection header and manifold assembly to remove Model HBSL-S
activated sludge. Settled solids are collected through
orifices located along the full length of the header.
Varying orifice size and spacing are computer generated
to provide the desired velocities throughout the entire
header assembly. Suction is typically provided by direct
connection of the return activated sludge pumps to a
central draw-off manifold at the tank bottom. An optional
rake arm opposite the sludge header is available to collect
Model HBMS
any remaining solids. Sludge headers are offered in either
(Single Header) Model HBMS (Dual Header)
single or dual configurations.

HIGH PERFORMANCE CLARIFIERS

Solids Contact Clarifier Systems

Solids contact clarifiers are designed for use in water treatment
applications, including: Turbidity removal, lime softening,
and iron and color removal. Every unit includes an axial flow
recirculation mixer constructed of stainless steel for long
life and no maintenance. The mixer drive and rake drive are
independent of one another allowing for simple and individual
Solids
Model BSRC service. Sizes are available up to 200 feet in diameter.
Contact Clarifier
Flocculation – Clarifier Systems
Flocculating clarifiers are particularly effective for flocculation and clarification of municipal and
industrial water supplies, screened primary sewage, wastes with high grit content, and industrial
wastewater containing heavy settleable solids. Flocculating units can also be adapted to tertiary
waste treatment as well as potable water coagulation. Individual flocculators or concentric turntable
style flocculators are available. Properly sized paddle area and accurately computed velocity
Model HBFC gradients ensure optimum performance.

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Clarifiers & Thickeners

CLARIFIER AND THICKENER DRIVES

All Kusters Water clarifier and thickener drives are manufactured in-house at our Spartanburg, SC facility. Kusters Water offers the largest selection
of drives in the industry, including: Cast Iron split gear drives, fabricated steel precision bearing drives, high torque lift drives, hydraulic drives,
helical drives, planetary drives and worm gear drives. Our team is ready to assist you with the proper drive selection based on your application and
preferences.

Concentric Drives Units

Concentric drives are commonly utilized in solids contact or flocculating
clarifier applications. Each unit includes an independent rake drive and
flocculator or turbine drive. Housings are offered in either cast iron or
steel. Variable speed drives are utilized on the flocculator and turbine
drives to allow for better control of velocity gradients in the flocculation
zone. Styles include both Bridge Mounted and Pier Mounted units. All
units can be equipped with worm, cycloidal, helical or planetary gear
reducers.

Lift Drives Units Concentric Drives

Lift drives are utilized in high torque applications. The standard unit
is equipped with an electric or manual lift assembly that raises and
lowers the drive shaft and rakes. Commonly used in mining, aggregate
and thickening applications.

Hydraulic Powered Drive Units

Technically advanced, hydraulic powered Type H drives are available
in wide range of operating torques and output speeds. Power is
introduced through a standard “C-Face” mounted motor connected to
a low speed, high torque hydraulic power system with integral valves,
pump, hydraulic motor, filter and appurtenances fully enclosed in a
304 stainless steel housing/oil reservoir.
Overload Protection:
Precise torque monitoring is a major advantage of the Type H drive
system. The overload system includes alarm and motor cut-off Rake Lift Drives
switches that are activated by an increase in operating pressure in the
hydraulic system that is directly proportionate to the torque load on the
rotating mechanism. Each unit includes a maximum torque pressure
relief valve, which takes the place of less accurate mechanical shear
pins and allows the unit to gradually stall without damage to the rotating
mechanism. Torque is monitored via a 6-inch liquid filled gauge that
reads in actual operating torque.
Major Advantages of Hydraulic Drives:
• Gauge Readings in Actual (Ft-lbf) or (N*m)
• 304 Stainless Steel Housings
• External Oil Filter with Replacement Gauge
• Accurate Liquid Filled Torque Gauge
• Max torque Pressure Relief Valve
• Directional Value Hydraulic Drive
• 4-20mA Output for Remote Monitoring
 Bridge Mounted Drive Units
Worm Gear Drives:
Centrifugally cast bronze or ductile iron worm gear drives enclosed in ASTM
A-48, Class 40 cast iron housings offer superior corrosion resistance and
exceptionally long service life. Worm gear units are offered in many standard
sizes up to a 30” main gear pitch diameter. Commonly used in municipal and
industrial clarifier/thickener applications.
Spur Gear Drives:
External tooth spur gear drives enclosed in ASTM A-36 fabricated steel
Worm Gear Drive housing are available in numerous sizes up to an 80” main gear pitch
diameter. Every unit can be equipped with worm, helical, planetary or cycloidal
gear reducers. The precision main gear/bearing design is excellent for high
torque applications.
Major Advantages:
• Cast Iron or Steel Housings
• Condensate Removal System
• B-10 Life Rating in Excess of 200,000hrs
• Strip Liner or Precision Bearings
• Ductile Iron or Steel Gears

Spur Gear Drive

Pier Mounted Drive Units

Fabricated Steel Drives: Cast Iron Drives:
Internal tooth spur gear drives enclosed in Internal tooth spur gear drives enclosed in
Fabricated Steel housings are offered in ASTM A-48, Class 40. Cast Iron housings
numerous standard sizes up to 120” main are offered in 5 standard sizes: 30”, 42”,
gear pitch diameter. For use in municipal 60”, 80” & 100” main gear pitch diameters.
and industrial clarifiers and thickeners. Every For use in municipal and industrial clarifiers
unit can be equipped with worm, helical, and thickeners. Every unit can be equipped
planetary or cycloidal gear reducers. with worm, helical, planetary or cycloidal
gear reducers.
Major Advantages of Steel Drives:
• Precision Bearing Design Major Advantages of Cast Iron Drives:
• High Strength A-36 Steel Housings • Split Main Gear Design
• B-10 life rating in excess of 200,000hrs • Corrosion Resistant Cast Iron Housings
• Contoured Raceway Design • Replaceable Strip Liners
• Condensate Removal System • Replaceable Ball Bearings
• Induction Hardened Steel Main Gears • Exceptionally Deep Oil Reservoirs
• Oil Lubrication • Condensate Removal System
• Ductile Iron or Cast Steel Main Gears
Pier Mounted Unit

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Clarifiers & Thickeners

SPECIALTY ITEMS FOR YOUR KUSTERS WATER CLARIFIERS AND THICKENERS

Density Currents Baffles

A common problem experienced with clarifiers is solids exiting over the effluent weir. Kusters Water offers a density current baffling system in the
clarifier basin to help minimize density currents and short-circuiting of suspended solids. Baffle designs are available in a variety of configurations,
including: FRP baffles that bolt to the tank periphery, or the baffle can be incorporated as an integral part of the effluent launder and concrete basin.

Energy Dissipating Inlets (EDI)

Correct feedwell design is important in all clarifiers, particularly in large collectors, or during peak flow conditions. Properly designed feedwells
promote uniform, radial displacement of flow through the sedimentation tank. When hydraulic displacement is not uniform, short-circuiting and poor
settleable solids removal results. The purpose of this dual chamber feedwell is to maximize the influent energy. The inner energy dissipating inlet
(EDI) has a full bottom, and the cylindrical side wall or bottom is equipped with multiple outlet ports. As the flow passes to the outer flocculation
feedwell, the outlet ports induce a low-grade flocculation, and transport homogenized mixed liquor into the basin with greatly reduced currents.
EDI designs offered Include: LA-EDI, gated EDI, Scooped EDI and MEDIC.

Specialty Items Include:

Drive Platforms Galvanized Coatings Rake Lift Mechanisms FRP Feedwells
Full Radius Scum Box Scum Spray Systems LA-EDI Inlets UL-Controls
Steel Tanks Ducking Skimmers Effluent Troughs Stainless Steel Construction

Density Baffle Scooped EDI

Ducking Skimmer LA-EDI

Rake Lift Mechanisms Scum Spray System

UL-Controls Steel Tanks

Effluent Troughs Full Radius Scum Box

Drive Platforms FRP Feedwell

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 Dependable, cost-effective solutions
for water and wastewater treatment.

For more information call 864.576.0660

or visit kusterswater.com