CDE launches new water management system

CDE, a supplier of wet processing solutions for the natural processing and waste recycling sectors based in Northern Ireland, has launched its AquaCycle A2500 thickener. The thickener is the latest addition to the company’s water management and recycling systems.  

According to a news release from CDE, the thickener has a capacity of 11,000 gallons per minute (GPM). CDE says the product is its largest and most advanced water management system to date.  

The A2500 was developed in response to calls from materials processors operating in high tonnage markets for water management solutions equipped to supply their operations with sufficient water supplies while ensuring optimal production efficiency, minimum loss of fines and maximum water recycling.  

CDE says the increased capacity also provides a lower rise rate, enabling operators to process challenging, harder to settle materials. The company says it was designed for easy use and safe access for efficient maintenance, it features the first lattice bridge structure on any CDE thickener. An integrated monorail also provides access to the motorized rake, gearbox and motor.   

“It responds directly to the needs of materials processors operating in high tonnage markets,” says Darren Eastwood, business development director for the Americas at CDE. “These operations, primarily in the areas of C&D waste, specialist sands and heavily clay-bound aggregates, require higher volumes of water resources, flexible water management systems with the capacity to supply their operations without compromising on footprint and a system that can deliver this in a way that improves efficiency, driving down operational costs to maximize profitability and enable fast return on investment. These are the guiding principles that underscore the design and development of the new A2500.”  

With a sludge capacity of 138 tons per hour, the A2500 includes an adjustable rake lifting mechanism. Featuring passive torque control, the automatic raise and start sequence is designed to protect rakes from surge pressure from dense sludges. The rake itself has also been reimagined, with optimally spaced and redesigned blades for improved sludge conditioning.  

Powered by the motorized rake arm, the introduction of a new floating scum scraper, independent of the rake’s height, allows for the easy removal of unwanted foam, oil and lightweight trash. A redesigned volute feed well optimizes the incoming flow for improved flocculant performance by creating even radial flow to all regions of the A2500.  

The company says a key feature of the A2500 is its feed height. Sitting at about 22 feet, it simplifies upstream plant design complexity as it eliminates the need for expensive civils, helping to expedite the commissioning process of entire plant solutions.  

With a tank diameter of 65.6 feet and a weight of 97 tons when empty and 1,268 tons when full, the A2500 features a small footprint while packing a punchy 11,000 GPM and a solids capacity of 138 tons per hour.  

An alternative to water extraction from natural sources and the costly process of pumping water to the plant, CDE’s A2500, like the full AquaCycle range, significantly reduces water consumption by ensuring up to 90 percent of process water is recycled for immediate recirculation.  

“It is increasingly important for materials processors to invest in an effective water management system that ensures a steady supply of clean water to their plants through cost-effective means,” Eastwood says. “The continued advancement of our pioneering wet processing solutions and leading-edge water management systems is supporting operators working in the natural processing and waste recycling sectors worldwide to overcome the challenges of washing in water-pressured or water-scarce areas today.”   

Throughout 2022, CDE is celebrating its 30th year in business. It has significant plans to mark the milestone, including strengthening its manufacturing capabilities and expanding its workforce in response to increasing demand. In 2021, CDE recorded its most successful year to date with more bookings than ever before.