McLanahan Corp. has obtained the exclusive rights to represent Matec Machinery Technology’s HPT Plate and Frame Filter Press throughout North and South America. In making this announcement, Sean McLanahan, executive vice president, said, “We have long been searching for technology that fit the needs of our customers for dewatering of plant sludge. Our customers have consistently let us know current technologies such as belt filter presses are too costly and burdensome to operate.”

Matec, an Italian-based company that specializes in wastewater purification and filtration equipment, targeted the aggregates market with the development of its HPT (High Pressure Technology) design.

Matec’s use of HPT has moved the Plate and Frame Filter Press into the forefront for fines dewatering in aggregate operations, according to McLanahan. This technology permits the press to work at pressures of up to 300 psi, thus enabling the unit to process even the most difficult to dewater sludges -- those with high clay content.

Unlike belt filter press technology, the Matec press functions without the use of flocculants. In addition, the press is truly automated. No full-time operator is required to monitor feed density, flocculant dosage or belt conditions. Not only were these features key in McLanahan’s interest in this technology, but there was the added benefit of increased water recovery as the dewatered fines are drier than competing technology, according to the company.

No more ponds
The Plate and Frame Filter Press also eliminates the need for settling ponds. In fact, discharge from the Matec press is unlike any dewatered fines product seen in current U.S. operations, McLanahan said. Trucking of the fines can be immediate, with no specialized hauling trucks or fear of penalties from leaks. In addition, hauling costs are reduced as the volume of solids per load is significantly increased.

Adding Matec’s Plate and Frame Filter Press to McLanahan’s extensive line of mineral and aggregate processing equipment gives the company’s customers the newest technology with which to dewater fine materials.

“This is a good fit with our other upstream products,” McLanahan said. “We feel it gives us the ability to complete our offer for entire plants without compromising quality, cost effectiveness and ease of operation on the fines end.”

McLanahan Corp., www.mclanahan.com