Across the Pond – The Spiral Separator makes it to North America
David deHoxar
Plantwork Systems is delighted to announce the first demonstration of a Spiral Separator in the City of London, Canada this summer.
Plantwork Systems’ Spiral Separator technology, which maximises settled water quality whilst minimising space in a very compact gravity settlement device, has been operating successfully in sites around the UK and worldwide for some time, but this will be the first installation in North America.
The project is being delivered as a Joint Venture between Plantwork Systems and Canadian construction company Aquicon, through a newly formed division (Aquicon Water), to introduce innovative sustainable wastewater treatment solutions in North America.
Proving the enormous opportunities for this technology working through international partnerships, the 1.5m diameter Spiral has been built in the UK and was shipped out to Canada in March 2022. Aquicon Water will oversee installation, and demonstrations commencing in June 2022 at Pottersburg Sewage Works.
Pottersburg is one of five substantial treatment works serving the Eastern part of the rapidly expanding City of London, Ontario in Canada. The Spiral Separator will be demonstrated performing three distinct duties: primary settlement, sludge thickening, and final settlement for activated sludge. These trials will be carried out consecutively, with the unit moving to different locations on the site.
Plantwork Systems Spiral Separator, manufacture and assembly process in the UK for shipping to Canada, including steel tank, plate pack and container frame for easy transportation
What are the benefits for:
a) City of London, Ontario
The Spiral separating technology performs the same task as traditional primary settlement and final settlement tanks, but in a fraction of the space. During the demonstration, the Spiral aspires to match the TSS, COD, and BOD removal performance of the City’s current settlement tanks in 90% less space than the City’s equipment, treating the same volume of Primary and Activated Sludge flows.
The Spiral Separator has the added advantage of producing thickened sludge from settlement duties, which saves the requirement for additional on-site thickening equipment. The capital investment is greatly reduced – saving money as well as space.
Sludge Thickening demonstrations aim to provide superior sludge density results when compared to the City’s current two Gravity Belt Thickeners (GBTs) without the need for polymer dosing. A substantial cost saving opportunity exists through eliminating on-site chemical dosing needs and minimizing tanker hauling to the City’s sludge treatment centre at Greenway WWTP.
As the Spiral can also be used for activated sludge final settlement, clearly the ability of the technology to perform these THREE distinct duties is a massive opportunity.
The Spiral footprint is 90% less when compared to the existing tanks treating the same flows.
b) The delivery partner, Aquicon Water
Aquicon has been operating in the Ontario market for over 40 years, and with an established network of Consulting Engineers, Suppliers and Sub-Contractors, Aquicon Water is now in a strong position to market and deliver projects in the water sector throughout the Province and North America.
Plantwork Systems’ Spiral technology is a real breakthrough in wastewater treatment, saving money and space whilst delivering a range of environmental benefits. Aquicon Water will be able to demonstrate the benefits of the system over the life of the demonstration pilot project, enabling them to showcase spiral performance to a range of potential clients. In the first instance, this will be trialled for 15 to 18 months at Pottersburg WWTP, but, as a mobile unit, it can then be relocated to different locations for varying purposes, also providing ongoing demonstration potential.
Our Spiral technology is a real breakthrough in wastewater treatment, saving money and space whilst delivering a range of environmental benefits, offering significant opporunities at home and abroad.
What’s Next?
Beyond the demonstration there are significant opportunities for Plantwork Systems’ technology in North America. Wastewater intensification, expansion, and process optimisation strategies are a major focus across Canadian municipalities as they grapple with rapid population growth and urbanisation.
We are delighted to be working with Aquicon Water, and look forward to a long and successful partnership bringing Plantwork Systems’ innovative wastewater treatment solutions to the market ‘across the pond’.
Article by David deHoxar, Plantwork Systems Chief Engineer