A unique stacked tray design provides the surface area required for outstanding performance with a small footprint. The HeadCell^® is the ultimate grit removal solution for new plants as well as a cost effective retrofit option for grit removal upgrades.

The HeadCell^® is an evolution in grit removal, representing the next generation in grit separation. The HeadCell^® is the result of decades of research to identify and eliminate the inefficiencies of conventional forced vortex grit removal systems. The HeadCell^® is a modular, multiple-tray settleable solids concentrator that removes grit as small as 75 microns with minimal headloss.

The HeadCell^® provides high performance fine grit removal in a small footprint. This allows capacity increases using existing space. Conventional grit removal systems cannot match the performance of the HeadCell^®. For new headworks grit control systems, the HeadCell^® can be installed in a poured-in-place concrete basin above or at grade, with a footprint much smaller than conventional grit removal systems.

Applications

• New wastewater treatment plants
• Treatment plant retrofits
• Grit removal for potable water

Advantages

• Protects equipment and processes from abrasive wear and sedimentation
• Effective use of valuable space
• Long component life with minimal wear
• Eliminates short circuiting, increases capture
• Minimal grease build-up
• Meets stringent environmental requirements with less odors
• Large surface area with short settling distances
• Compact, yet expandable design
• All-hydraulic design with no moving parts
• Structured flow configuration
• Continuous boundary layer flow over hydrophobic surfaces
• Clean, dry grit when washed by a SlurryCup™ or Teacup^® and dewatered by a Grit Snail^®

The HeadCell^® captures fine particles due to the large surface area and short settling distances. Evenly split flow eliminates thermal short circuiting which reduces the performance of conventional grit basins. The HeadCell^® is essentially the ideal grit basin. The HeadCell^® is a hydraulically driven forced vortex system which requires no moving parts to operate.

The high efficiency flow distribution header evenly distributes influent over multiple conical trays. Tangential feed establishes a vortex flow pattern where solids settle into a boundary layer on each tray, and are swept down to the center underflow collection chamber. These settled solids are continuously pumped to a SlurryCup™ (or TeaCup^®) and Grit Snail^® resulting in the market leading performance grit separation, classification, and dewatering system.

HeadCell^® Process

Q. What is the HeadCell^®?

The HeadCell^® is a uniquely designed grit separation device which concentrates grit and organic materials from the bulk of the influent flows entering a wastewater treatment plant.

Q. What are the advantages of the HeadCell^® system?

The innovative design of the HeadCell^® grit separation system uses stacked trays to create a large amount of surface area with a very small footprint. Gravity based separation relies on contact with surface area in order to effectively separate fine grit particles from organics and water. The HeadCell^® provides more surface area / footprint than any other grit separation process on the market.

Q. How does the HeadCell^® provide equal surface area contact with all of its trays?

The structured influent duct directs the influent so that flow is evenly distributed over the trays. This combined with short settling distances results in a very short time before the influent contacts the trays. Tangential entry increases the time that materials come into contact with the trays further enhancing performance.

Q. Can the HeadCell^® be used in retrofit projects?

The small footprint stacked tray design of the HeadCell^® makes it the ideal system for retrofitting to increase grit removal performance. In many applications, existing structures, channels and basins can be used to significantly reduce overall project costs by reducing concrete and construction costs.  The diameter of the trays, and / or the number of trays, can be designed in order to fit into existing basins without compromising performance.

Q. Is screening required before the HeadCell^® system?

Yes, three quarter inch or finer screening is required before the HeadCell^® system.

Q. Is additional equipment required for total plant protection from grit?

Yes. The HeadCell^® is the ideal grit separation system, but separation is only one part of the grit removal process. Once the grit and organics have been separated from the plant influent, grit will need to be washed in a high performance grit washing unit such as the SlurryCup™ or TeaCup^®. Once the organics have been removed, the grit will still need to be dewatered before it is ready for landfill. This is accomplished with a Grit Snail^® quiescent dewatering escalator or a Decanter batch dewatering system.

Q. What are the headloss requirements for the HeadCell^®?

The HeadCell^® is a low velocity forced vortex system. This results in a very low headloss (less than 12”) to operate the HeadCell^®.

Q. My plant has a very high turndown ratio, what are the turndown limitations in the HeadCell^®?

HeadCell^® systems can be designed to meet virtually any turndown ratio.

Q. Can the HeadCell^® be used in applications other than municipal wastewater?

The HeadCell^® is also suitable for use in clean water intake applications, as well as industrial and agricultural projects within certain operating parameters. Contact Hydro International to determine if the HeadCell^® is suitable for use in your particular application.