AJM design and construct a range of high quality sludge and slurry thickeners. Sludge thickeners are used in a variety of applications to increase the solids concentration in industrial or biological sludges prior to advanced dewatering processes. In the municipal sector, typical applications include thickening of DAFF or filtration backwash water from water treatment plants or thickening of activated sludge from biological treatment plants.
 

In order to dewater sludge to a spadable cake (in a belt presses or centrifuges for example) the dry solids concentration in the feed slurry should be in the order of several percent to make operation of such equipment effective. Thickeners are installed as an primary processing stage after "wet " sludge storage.

AJM sludge thickeners are designed to achieve maximum solids concentration in the thickened sludge. With sizes ranging from 3m diameter to 15m diameter, AJM thickeners can handle most applications.

AJM thickener tanks are constructed in either concrete or epoxy coated mild steel. Launders walkways and rake mechanisms are constructed in galvanised steel, painted steel, aluminium, stainless steel or any combination to suit the particular requirements and specifications of the plant. All AJM engineering is carried out using the latest AutoCAD software.

Thickener feed wells have submerged tangential inlets with a connecting pipe to the perimeter of the thickener tank. This below water line entry eliminates the possibility of air entrainment in the feed improving the settlement process. The feed wells supply highly efficient mixing for flocculation at the top whilst circulation energy is dissipated at the base by a 45-degree reduction cone and specially designed distribution hood.
 

The rakes are designed to contour with the base and achieve full coverage of the thickener and paddles are located in the central sludge to well to maintain fluidity of the sludge.

The drive units used are the highest quality gear reducer operating at several rpm and flange connected to the rake shaft and the base of the drive attached to a slewing ring. The drive torque arms are connected to a slewed push rod onto a load cell which provides constant torque load output by way of 4-20mA signal from a load cell transmitter. This load cell may then be used to control and monitor the thickener performance.