What Is The Investment Cost Of a Belt Filter Press?

Belt filter presses primarily dewater sludge generated by sewage treatment plants. What are the costs of a belt filter press? Below is a brief overview of investment, operating, and maintenance costs.

The investment and operating cost of the belt filter press

1. Investment Cost

For example, a sewage treatment plant with a daily sewage treatment capacity of 2,000 m³ and a dry sludge production capacity of 8-10 t/d would produce approximately 300 m³/d of sludge-water mixture when concentrated to a 3% solids content. A one-meter belt filter press costs at least ten thousand dollars and has a treatment capacity of approximately 4-12 m³/h. A 120-square-meter automatic plate-and-frame filter press costs nearly ten thousand dollars and has a treatment capacity of approximately 3-10 m³/h.

2. Operating costs

A. Flocculant consumption

To increase throughput, the filter belts of belt filter presses cannot be woven too densely. To prevent fine sludge from leaking through the filter, a larger amount of flocculant is added to form larger flocs. Generally, the dosage for mixed sludge dewatering is greater than 3 kg/tds, resulting in a sludge recovery rate of approximately 90% and a dehydrated mud cake moisture content of approximately 80%. A one-meter belt filter press operating eight hours a day typically uses four to five kilograms of flocculant.

b. Electricity and water consumption

A belt filter press consumes three to four kilowatts less power than a centrifuge. Based on an eight-hour operation, this translates to a daily cost savings of 30 yuan. A one-meter belt filter press requires 60 to 70 cubic meters of water daily for backwashing the filter belt. This backwash water is then returned to the sedimentation tank for further treatment.

c. Labor consumption

Belt filter presses are complex to operate, requiring highly skilled operators. Generally, 1-2 people manage 1-2 units. If calculated at 80 yuan/person/day, the cost per belt filter press is 160 yuan/day, while the cost per plate and frame filter press is 100-160 yuan/day.

3. Maintenance consumption

Belt filter presses have many vulnerable parts. Due to the characteristics of open operation, the rotating shaft, gears, bearings and filter belts are easily damaged by sewage corrosion and severe operation wear.