An evaluation was conducted at the County Sanitation Districts of Orange County (CSDOC) which led to the purchase and installation of the belt filter presses currently in use. A selection process was made including pre-qualification of bidders after an exhaustive nationwide search and study of all known existing belt filter press facilities.
Subsequent methods were employed for purchasing belt filter presses of the same make and manufacturer. Operating experiences and maintenance costs as well as minor modifications which were found to be desirable were documented. The paper will discuss in some detail the design criteria, capacity, polymer addition system, performance at CSDOC Plant No. 1 and Plant No. 2, sludge characteristics and the effect of chemical conditioning.
Discussion regarding operation and maintenance criteria, such as staffing, operating and maintenance modes, operational checks, belt life and belt specification, safety ventilation required for the removal of odorous materials and hydrogen sulfide, data recording, and polymer dosing is included. Cost considerations, including capital costs, as well as operating and maintenance costs for the past five years are covered.