In the world of environmental engineering and waste management, innovation is key to addressing complex challenges of soil contamination, construction waste, and water recycling. Noreside Engineering Group’s Water & Wastewater Management Division has developed a groundbreaking solution that is transforming how we process and recycle contaminated materials: the Hydro Separation System.
How the Hydro Separation System Works
The system is a marvel of environmental engineering, designed to efficiently process and clean contaminated materials through a multi-stage process:
- Initial Processing: The journey begins when contaminated soils, construction waste, and other materials are loaded into a feed hopper. A feed conveyor then transfers the material to an attrition scrubber, which breaks up and washes the initial waste stream.
- Aggregate Separation: After initial washing, the system grades materials by size using specialised screens:
- 5-80mm aggregate is separated and moved to a holding area
- 0-5mm sand is further processed
- Fine particles (0-0.075mm) enter the hydro recycle process
- Water Treatment and Recycling: This is where the Hydro Separation System truly shines:
- Polyelectrolyte (poly) is added to wastewater, causing silt to coagulate and sediment
- A hydro separation tank further separates floatables and remaining sediments
- Cleaned water is transferred to a recycled water holding tank
- The recycled water is then returned to the washing process
- Sludge Management: The system doesn’t waste anything:
- Collected silt from hydro recycle and separation tanks is pumped to a buffer tank
- Additional poly is added, and the silt is processed through a centrifuge
- Water is removed and returned to the hydro recycle tank
- The remaining silt cake becomes an end-of-process waste product
Environmental Benefits
The Hydro Separation System offers remarkable advantages:
- Maximises material recovery from contaminated waste
- Minimises water consumption through advanced recycling
- Reduces environmental impact of construction and industrial waste
- Provides an efficient solution for handling oil-contaminated soils and complex waste streams
Innovation Backed by Patent
Noreside Engineering Group’s commitment to innovation is evident in our patented technology (Patent No. 1908156.1), demonstrating our leadership in sustainable waste management solutions.
Conclusion
For industries dealing with complex waste streams, the Hydro Separation System represents a leap forward in environmental engineering. By transforming contaminated materials into recoverable resources, Noreside Engineering Group is not just managing waste—we are reshaping our approach to environmental sustainability.