Troubleshooting
Sludge Bridging
Sludge arching and starving the press
Thick or fibrous sludge can arch or “bridge” over a hopper or tank outlet, so the press is starved of feed even though the tank appears full. This causes erratic operation and inconsistent cake.
The symptom
Thick or fibrous sludge can arch or “bridge” over a hopper or tank outlet, so the press is starved of feed even though the tank appears full. This causes erratic operation and inconsistent cake.
Causes and corrective actions
| Possible cause | Corrective action |
|---|---|
| Poor hopper or outlet geometry | Use steeper walls or a larger outlet. |
| No agitation in the feed vessel | Add a mixer or break-up agitator. |
| Very thick or fibrous sludge | Dilute slightly or use a positive-displacement feed. |
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