Conventional clarification equipment requires 10 times more physical area to even begin to approach the same settling capacity of a Neotech Lamella Gravity Settler. This means faster settling in one-tenth space because the effective gravity settling area of the inclined plate design equals each plate are projected on a horizontal surface. Up to ten square feet of settling area becomes available for each square foot of physical area occupied by the unit. Loading rates normally used for the design of conventional settlers can be applied to the sizing of a Lamella Settler by substitution projected area for the surface settling area of a conventional clarifier.
The compact design minimizes hydraulic disturbances caused by wind or temperature changes. Balanced flow distribution ensures equal flow to each plate and across the plate surface area preventing short-circuiting.
Units and plate packs arrive at the job site factory assembled which reduces installation time and lowers installed costs. Minimal moving parts mean low maintenance costs.
Influent enters the lamella system and flows downward through the inlet chamber in the center of the unit and enters the plates through side entry plate slots. The countercurrent design, unlike typical bottom feed designs, reduces the risk of disturbing previously settled solids. As the liquid flows upward, the solids settle on the inclined, parallel plates and sludge into the sludge hopper at the bottom. Further thickening of the sludge is achieved in the hopper due to compression in the quiescent zone achieved by the side feed design.
The clarified liquid leaves the plate assembly through orifices or weirs at the top and is distributed into the collection channels leading to the clarified water outlet. This creates a pressure drop across the collection channels which ensure uniform flow distribution across the plates in order to utilize the full area for settling.
