The Lamella separator is the world leader in sedimentation technology.  Lamella separators can reduce space requirements by up to 90% compared with a settling pond. With this system every square metre of floor or ground area provides up to 10 m^2.

The separator incorporates a patented flow control system, a breakthrough in modern plate separator design. The flow control system uses the clarified liquid as the control medium and ensures that the flow is distributed uniformly across the plate assembly.

The Lamella separator is supplied as a complete, easy-to-install unit or as a plate pack assembly for installation into either a concrete or steel tank.

Applications

Effluent Treatment

• Primary clarification of wastewater streams.
• Pulp and paper industry.
• Industrial water treatment systems.
• Municipal water treatment systems.
• Biological purification processes.
• Wash water recirculation systems (eg. potato and root crop processing).
• Wet scrubber and slaking effluents in the power industry.

Other Common Applications

• Thickening processes in the chemical, mining and mineral industries.
• Treatment of effluents in metal finishing, and iron and steel plants.
• Can be used to clarify the wash water from a DynaSand^® filter.

• Space requirement can be reduced by up to 90% when compared with a settlement tank.
• Unique, patented flow control system increases reliability.
• Up to 10 m² of settling area per square metre of ground area.
• Supplied as a complete unit for easy installation.
• Available in standard and site-specific versions.
• Minimal operating and maintenance costs.
• The operational reliability of the separator is increased by using the clarified liquid as the flow control medium, making the unit less sensitive to flow variations and reducing the risk of fouling.
• Allowing the feed to enter the plate assembly from the side rather than from underneath eliminates the risk of disturbing previously settled material.

Effluent enters the unit through the inlet pipe (brown arrow) and flows downward through the inlet chamber in the centre of the unit, entering the plates through openings in the sides.

As the liquid flows upward the solids settle on the inclined, parallel plates and slide into the hopper at the bottom of the unit.  In the hopper, the sludge is thickened prior to discharge through the sludge outlet (brown arrow).

The clarified liquid leaves the plate assembly through openings at the top and is discharged into collection channels leading to the clarified water outlet (blue arrow).

The openings at the top of the plate assembly are designed to create a pressure drop across the collection channels, ensuring that the flow is distributed uniformly between the plates and that the full area is utilised.  This is a patented flow control feature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the headloss through a Lamella system?

200 to 300mm should be allowed for most systems.

Q. How often do the plates need cleaning?

In most applications the plates will build up a layer of solids over time. The nature of the solids will determine the cleaning frequency, we suggest annually is a fair mean.

Q. What sludge thickness can be achieved?

Up to 3% dry solids sludge can be achieved by using the LT type lamella unit, 1-2% is more realistic for the LS and LP lamella types.

Q. What is the best way to desludge the lamella system?

As with most high rate processes a “little and often” philosophy should be used. Normally we would recommend this is done on a timer basis, however instrumentation can be used to control the desludge, and aid decision-making.