Wastewater separator DebrisCatcher

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Overview
The DebrisCatcher is an active heavy-material separator that combines gravity-based separation with a cutting screen and slow, non-contact clearing units to remove stones, metal parts and other foreign matter from liquid media. It is designed to protect pumps, valves and downstream components while keeping energy consumption low.

Benefits

• Protects downstream pumps and valves from damage caused by stones and metal parts
• Prevents blockages of pumps, gate valves and process valves
• High throughput with low drive power
• Stable construction with counter bearing to support the drive shaft

How it works
Inlet flow is calmed in a flow-optimized housing to promote gravity separation: heavy particles settle into the separator while smaller or lighter foreign matter is retained at the cutting screen. Slow-rotating, non-contact clearing units pick up retained material and actively guide it into the heavy-material compartment. The housing geometry was developed using flow simulations to maximize gravity-assisted separation.

Features

• Active heavy-material separation: retained foreign matter is actively guided into the separator by clearing units for higher reliability than passive systems
• Flow-optimized housing: enlarged, calmed area for slow, laminar flow ideal for gravity-based separation
• Counter bearing: additional support for the drive shaft to ensure stability
• Sealing system: mechanical seal combined with radial shaft seal ring; buffer fluid tank included for leak control
• Clearing-unit geometry: coordinated with the screen to form a large blunt angle that prevents jamming

Options

• Screen gap variants: 12 mm, 25 mm and 40 mm to balance retention of small metal parts and pressure loss
• Connectors: DN150 or DN200 according to site requirements
• Debris Removal System (DRS): optional removal of separated heavy material during operation with minimal medium loss (approx. 15 l)
• Performance Control Unit (PCU): optional PCU for monitoring/automation and integration with PreMix or RotaCut RCX

Materials, construction & performance
The housing is welded sheet steel with hot-dip galvanization for corrosion resistance. The unit is suitable for pressurized applications (max internal pressure up to 4 bar). The non-contact clearing units and low rotational speed result in minimal power consumption and low wear: at throughputs up to 400 m3/h the DebrisCatcher typically requires approx. 2 kW drive power, ensuring long service life.

Application areas
Designed for biogas and wastewater applications and systems where stones, metal parts or other heavy foreign matter enter the liquid stream (e.g., fresh liquid manure or biomass feed). Its compact footprint enables installation in space-limited locations while reliably protecting pumps and plant components.

Technical characteristics / specifications

• Model name: DebrisCatcher
• Screen gap options: 12 mm, 25 mm, 40 mm
• Connectors: DN150 or DN200
• Max throughput: up to 400 m3/h
• Typical drive power required: approx. 2 kW (at up to 400 m3/h)
• Max internal pressure: up to 4 bar
• Material / finish: welded sheet steel housing, hot-dip galvanized
• DRS medium loss per removal: approx. 15 l
• Drive shaft sealing: mechanical seal + radial shaft seal ring with buffer fluid tank