Center-Drive Thickener with Pickets

The Center-Drive Thickener with Pickets is a column-supported, center-drive machine that doubles as a gravity thickener inside circular tanks 8–45 m diameter. A low-speed planetary gearbox (0.005–0.015 rpm) rotates a full-span truss fitted with horizontal scraper blades and vertical picket fence elements. As sludge is raked toward the central cone, the gentle movement and picket-induced flocculation release interstitial water, raising underflow solids from 0.5 % to 3–6 % without polymer addition.

 

The pickets create narrow channels that promote self-dewatering and prevent floc shear, while the slow rake speed avoids solids compaction and torque spikes. An overload sensor and shear-pin protect the drive; an optional lifting device raises the rake 400 mm under high-torque conditions. Bridge, shaft and pickets are supplied in hot-dip galvanized steel or 304/316 stainless for corrosive industrial effluents.

 

Pre-assembled modules bolt to a cast-in-situ central column; installation requires only power and sludge discharge piping. With its high solids capture, low energy draw (< 1.5 kW for a 30 m tank) and minimal operator attention, the Center-Drive Thickener with Pickets delivers continuous, reliable sludge concentration for municipal WWTP, pulp & paper, mining and food-processing plants.