Sludge Dewatering — EMO France

Screw Press
Sludge Dewatering

Mechanical sludge dewatering by helical screw pressure — a quiet, compact, and very low energy consumption solution for dewatering thickened municipal and industrial sludge. Operates in enclosed conditions, reducing odors and splashing.

Screw Press — EMO France
≥ 22%
TS Output
Low
Energy Consumption
> 95%
Solids Capture
Silent
Enclosed Operation
50+ years
Global Experience

What is a Screw Press?

The Screw Press is a mechanical dewatering equipment that uses a slowly rotating helical screw inside a filter cylinder to compress sludge and expel water. The process is continuous, gentle, and suitable for biological, industrial, and mixed sludge.

Unlike centrifuges and belt filter presses, the screw press operates in a fully enclosed environment, significantly reducing odor, aerosol, and noise emissions — making it ideal for WWTPs located in urban areas or near communities.

  • Enclosed operation — odor and aerosol control
  • Minimal noise — suitable for urban areas
  • Gentle process — ideal for sensitive biological sludge
  • Easy automation — integration with SCADA and monitoring systems
Screw Press in operation

How the Screw Press works

Conditioning

Sludge is pre-conditioned with polymer to form solid flocs and facilitate water separation.

Feeding

Conditioned sludge enters the filter cylinder inlet zone — start of the compression process.

Progressive Compression

The helical screw pushes sludge along the cylinder with increasing pressure, expelling water through the filter screen.

Cake Discharge

Dewatered cake is continuously discharged at the equipment outlet, ready for final disposal.

Screw Press Models

Available in multiple diameters and configurations, the screw press models serve from small compact WWTPs to large industrial treatment plants.

SSP Compact
Small scale

Compact solution for small WWTPs and industrial installations with low sludge volume. Autonomous plug-and-play module.

Sludge flowup to 5 m³/h
TS output18 – 22%
InstallationCompact / container
Noise level< 65 dB
SSP Standard
Medium scale

General-purpose model for medium-sized municipal and industrial WWTPs. Excellent cost-effectiveness and ease of maintenance.

Sludge flow5 – 20 m³/h
TS output20 – 26%
Screw diameter250 – 400 mm
ConstructionSS 304L / 316L
HIGH CAPACITY
SSP Industrial
Large scale

For large industrial treatment plants. High flow and elevated cake solids — robust solution for industrial sludge.

Sludge flow> 20 m³/h
TS output22 – 30%
Screw diameter> 400 mm
ApplicationIndustrial / Municipal

Why choose the Screw Press?

  • Lower energy consumption — slow-speed operation, no mechanical impacts
  • Silent operation — ideal for WWTPs in urban and residential areas
  • Fully enclosed system — odor control and aerosol prevention
  • Low polymer consumption — optimized dosing with high yield
  • Minimal vibration — no impact on building structure
  • Automatic screen cleaning — reduced clogging and manual interventions
  • Compact and modular — installation in containers or compact rooms
  • Compatible with all sludge types — municipal, industrial, mixed, digested

Silent and Discreet

Noise level below 70 dB — significantly quieter than centrifuges (90+ dB). Ideal for WWTPs in urban centers.

Energy Savings

Typical consumption of 1–5 kWh/ton of dry solids — up to 10× lower than conventional decanting centrifuges.

High Durability

Screw and filter cylinder in high-alloy stainless steel — abrasion and corrosion resistance even with aggressive sludge.

Screw Press vs Belt Filter Press

Understand the differences to choose the best technology for your project.

CriterionScrew PressBelt Filter Press
Energy consumptionVery lowLow
Noise levelSilent (<70 dB)Moderate
Odor controlExcellent (enclosed)Requires enclosure
Hydraulic capacityMediumHigh
Cake TS18 – 30%15 – 28%
Best forUrban WWTPs, biological sludgeLarge volumes, industrial sludge

Request a technical proposal

Our team analyzes your sludge characteristics and sizes the most appropriate solution for your project.

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