Removing non-biodegradable materials from septage and hydro-excavating waste is a key concern for pumpers who face ever-rising disposal fees and transportation costs. Accent Manufacturing Inc. of Abbotsford, British Columbia, tackles that problem with the IFRS 36 separator, a front-end dewatering system that significantly reduces water content in waste material, says Darryl Loewen, sales and marketing manager for the company.
Aimed at companies that haul septage and perform hydro-excavation, the unit employs a 1/16-inch stainless steel screen to separate water from solid waste. If the 1/16-inch screen is too small for a particular application, it’s easy to substitute larger 1/8- and 3/8-inch screens.
“They take only minutes to replace,” Loewen says. “It’s like putting a bullet into a rifle — it’s very simple.”
The 36-inch-diameter screen rotates on four rubber-coated, stainless steel wheels instead of via belts or chains that can wear or require lubrication. In addition, an automatic cleaning system eliminates screen clogs and ensures consistent flow rates, Loewen says.
The unit is hydraulically powered, which eliminates the safety issues related to using electric motors around water, and requires only 3/4 horsepower to operate. The unit can run off a hydraulic power pack or a truck’s hydraulic system, and offers variable speed control.
“Hydraulics make it simpler,” Loewen notes. “It allows the operator to speed up or slow down the motor, which allows maximum throughput with different kinds of materials.”
Another feature is the unit’s bypass chamber, which handles excess material when volume exceeds processing capability. This is important because it eliminates the need for valves, which can clog and stop work, Loewen says.
“We elevate the machine so the discharge end is higher than the intake end,” Loewen explains. “Gravity forces excess material back into the chamber, where it’s recycled back to the pump when the machine is ready to process it.”
The separator is simple to install and can be operated manually or automatically with or without supervision. When used as a permanent receiving station, the unit has reduced operators’ waste sludge costs by 30 percent. In a mobile configuration, the separator has been used in digester cleanout projects. For more information: 877/855-4890, www.accentmanufacturing.com.
