Solution for Filter Works Refurbishment Unveiled

Siltbuster Process Solutions (UK), supplier of temporary treatment systems to the water industry, has developed a trickling filter media washing unit, for use during the refurbishment of conventional filter works.

The mobile washing plant cleans the filter media, which is typically blast furnace slag - removing algae, vegetative growth, gross solids and any other build-up. The system offers a greater opportunity for existing filters to be refurbished, allowing the asset life to be fully utilised.  By enabling onsite remediation of filter material, the unit eliminates significant transport and disposal costs and leaves the works with virgin filter media.

Richard Coulton, Siltbuster Process Solutions’ CEO says, "We are perhaps better known for our mobile, compact, water treatment systems which are primarily used as temporary plant while works are refurbished, for troubleshooting, or as a nimble way of boosting treatment capacity permanently.  However, we pride ourselves on our agile thinking and it struck us that a cleaning system which our sister company supplies to the construction sector, if slightly modified, might have applications at treatment works.”

A screw classifier in the filter media washing unit allows the media to be scrubbed and heavy solids removed.  The washwater within the process can either be recycled or treated through a mobile solution as part of the wider range of Siltbuster products.

The filter media washing plant was used at Marlborough WwTW during the refurbishment of one of Thames Water’s tricking media filter beds, where circa 60T of blast furnace slag was washed onsite avoiding the need to take it offsite for washing or replacement.

Richard Coulton again: “The main focus on AMP6 is to optimise the asset life. This trickling filter media washing unit supports this by offering the opportunity to enhance existing process capacity, in a way which was not possible before.” 

This development builds upon existing installations Siltbuster Process Solutions has delivered for the municipal sector. Siltbuster Process Solutions has worked with most water companies serving England and Wales and has framework agreements in place, including one with Dwr-Cymru Welsh Water.