Co-current Lamella Clarifier

Co-current Lamella Clarifier – High-Rate Down-Flow Settler for Low-Turbidity Water & Industrial Effluent  

 

The Co-current Lamella Clarifier is a down-flow solids–liquid separator in which both the feed water and the settling particles move in the same direction—downward between 30–40° inclined plates. Because the hydraulic path and the gravity vector are aligned, the effective driving force for sedimentation is increased, allowing surface loading rates of 30–45 m³/(m²·h) while maintaining laminar-flow conditions (Re ≈ 200). Flocculated liquor enters a distribution header at the top of the plate bundle; solids deposit on the plate surface, coalesce into larger agglomerates and slide into a bottom sludge hopper, whereas clarified liquor exits through submerged orifices located at the lower end of the pack.  

 

 

Key design features  

- Plate spacing 35 mm, plate length 2.0–2.5 m, inclination 40° in settling zone and 60° in discharge zone—promoting self-cleaning and rapid sludge removal without mechanical scrapers.  

- Operates efficiently on influent turbidity < 200 NTU, ideal for secondary clarification of biological effluent, paper-machine whitewater, textile dye-bath after neutralisation, and surface-water intake works.  

- Produces 20–30 % less sludge volume than counter-current units thanks to enhanced intra-plate floc growth and simultaneous thickening.  

- Supplied as modular PVC or stainless-steel plate packs that can be retrofitted into existing rectangular or circular tanks, doubling hydraulic capacity without civil expansion.  

 

With no moving parts, minimal head-loss (0.3–0.5 m) and a footprint 80–90 % smaller than conventional settlers, the Co-current Lamella Clarifier delivers reliable, low-maintenance clarification for municipalities and industries facing space, time or budget constraints.