Sludge Thickening — EMO France

Sludge Thickening
GBT & DAF Technologies

Increase sludge solids content before dewatering and digestion with high-performance European equipment — technology proven for over 50 years in sludge and wastewater treatment worldwide.

EMO France — OMEGA Gravity Belt Thickener (GBT)
≥ 6%
TS Output (GBT)
≥ 4%
TS Output (DAF)
> 95%
Solids Capture
650 m³/h
Max. Capacity (DAF)
50+ years
Global Experience

What is Sludge Thickening?

Thickening is the step that increases the dry solids content (TS) of sludge without changing its liquid nature, reducing volume before subsequent digestion, dewatering, or drying processes.

A well-sized thickening step results in:

  • Volume reduction — lower reagent and energy consumption in subsequent steps
  • Higher efficiency in anaerobic digestion and dewatering
  • Operational savings — transport, energy, and equipment use
  • Environmental benefits — smaller final disposal area and pollution risk
DAF Alpha — Dissolved Air Flotation EMO France

GBT — OMEGA Gravity Belt Thickener

Continuous gravitational biological sludge thickening — OMEGA series in four models for any WWTP size.

How does it work?

Sludge is distributed over a continuously moving porous filter belt. Free water drains by gravity through the belt while solids are retained and conveyed to the thickened outlet. The process is continuous, with low energy consumption and minimal mechanical wear.

  • Continuous 24h operation — no stop cycles
  • Very low energy consumption
  • 304L / 316L stainless steel construction
  • Easy access for cleaning and maintenance
  • Automatic belt washing system
  • Integrated with EMO dewatering portfolio
OMEGA GBT — EMO France

OMEGA Series — Available Models

OMEGA SD
Standard
Belt width0.5 – 2.5 m
Filtering length2 m
Hydraulic flowup to 40 m³/h
OMEGA MD
Medium Duty
Belt width1 – 3 m
Filtering length3 m
Hydraulic flowup to 80 m³/h
OMEGA LD
Long Duty
Belt width1 – 3 m
Filtering length4 m
Hydraulic flowup to 100 m³/h
HIGH CAPACITY
OMEGA THC
Turbo High Capacity
Belt width1 – 3 m
Filtering length5 m
Hydraulic flowup to 200 m³/h

DAF — Dissolved Air Flotation ALPHA · DELTA · GAMMA

Flotation thickening for low-concentration sludge — high efficiency with three models covering 2 to 650 m³/h.

DAF Alpha — Dissolved Air Flotation EMO France

How does it work?

Microbubbles are generated by a pressurized recirculation system and injected at the base of the flotation unit. The bubbles attach to sludge particles and carry them to the surface, where they are removed by scrapers. The clarified effluent is collected at the bottom.

  • High efficiency for biological sludge (secondary, mixed)
  • Integrated lamellar circulation system
  • Stainless steel construction — corrosion resistance
  • Adjustable overflow for process control
  • Efficient flotation evacuation system
  • Compact design — smaller footprint

DAF Models — ALPHA · DELTA · GAMMA

ALPHA
Compact Flotation Unit
2–180
m³/h capacity
  • Small and medium WWTPs
  • Industrial effluents
  • Compact installation
DELTA
Mid-size Flotation Unit
5–175
m³/h capacity
  • Medium municipal WWTPs
  • Agri-food industry
  • Petrochemical and paper
LARGE SCALE
GAMMA
High-Capacity Flotation Unit
225–650
m³/h capacity
  • Large municipal WWTPs
  • Textile and paper industry
  • High solids demand

GBT vs DAF — Which to choose?

Both technologies achieve high solids content. The choice depends on sludge type and WWTP operating conditions.

GBT — OMEGA Gravity Belt Thickener

  • Excess biological sludge (aerobic)
  • Mixed sludge (primary + secondary)
  • Output ≥ 6% TS
  • Continuous operation, low energy
  • 4 models: SD, MD, LD, THC
  • Less efficient for flotation sludge

Sectors Served

Municipal WWTPs

Excess sludge thickening at large, medium, and small treatment plants.

Industrial Effluents

Petrochemical, pulp and paper, textile, and high-solids processes.

Agri-food Industry

Food and beverage industry — organic sludge with high TSS concentration.

Pre-Digestion

Increasing TS content to optimize biogas production in anaerobic digesters.

Pre-Dewatering

Volume reduction before presses and centrifuges, reducing reagent consumption.

Flotation Sludge

Processing sludge generated in primary physical-chemical DAF treatment.

About EMO France

Founded in Rennes, Brittany — France, EMO France specializes in sludge and wastewater treatment equipment with over 50 years of global experience. Active in municipal and industrial projects on five continents.

EMO's complete portfolio ranges from pre-treatment (screening, degritting), through physical-chemical treatment, to sludge thickening and dewatering — including gravity belts, flotation units, filter presses, and centrifuges.

50+ years of experience Global presence Complete portfolio Noyal-sur-Vilaine, FR

EMO France Portfolio

  • Screening (manual, automatic, compactor)
  • Degritting and degreasing
  • Physical-chemical treatment
  • Sludge thickening (GBT · DAF)
  • Dewatering (filter press, screw press)
  • Combined unit GBT + BFP
  • Waste conveyors and compactors

Need to size a thickening solution?

Our technical team analyzes your sludge and recommends the best EMO France technology — GBT OMEGA or DAF — for your WWTP.