CDE has developed the new AquaCycle A2500 thickener, the latest addition to its top-of-the-line water management and recycling systems.
With a capacity of 41,640 litres, the new A2500 is CDE’s largest and most advanced water management system to date. The Cookstown, Northern Ireland-headquartered firm developed the AquaCycle A2500 due to demand from materials processors operating in high tonnage markets for water management solutions able to supply their operations while optimising production efficiency, minimising fines losses and maximising water recycling.
Darren Eastwood, business development director for the Americas at CDE, said: “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.” He explained that the firm’s continued development of water management systems is helping operations overcome challenges of washing in areas where water is scarce.
The new A2500, showcased at WoA-AGG1 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee, expands the range to fit the requirements of sites processing high tonnages. The increased capacity also provides a lower rise rate, enabling operators to process challenging, harder to settle materials.
According to CDE, the A2500 is designed for easy use and safe access for efficient maintenance. It boasts the first lattice bridge structure on any CDE thickener. An integrated monorail also provides access to the motorised rake, gearbox and motor.
The A2500 includes an adjustable rake lifting mechanism and features passive torque control. Its automatic raise and start sequence protects rakes from surge pressure from dense sludges. The rake itself has been improved, with new spacing and redesigned blades for improved sludge conditioning.
Powered by the motorised rake arm, the introduction of a new floating scraper, independent of the rake’s height, allows for the easy removal of unwanted foam, oil and lightweight trash. And, creating even radial flow to all regions of the A2500, a redesigned volute feedwell optimises the incoming flow for improved flocculant performance.
Another key feature of the new A2500 is its feed height. Sitting at almost 6.7m, it simplifies upstream plant design complexity as it eliminates the need for costly installation works.
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 costly water consumption by ensuring up to 90% of process water is recycled for immediate recirculation.
