The heavy material separator separates out foreign matter such as stones and metal parts using two methods, and combines a gravity separator with an active foreign matter separator. To start off with, the medium (e.g. organic suspension, liquid manure) flows into the side of the heavy material separator. In the main chamber, the cross section is significantly enlarged, which considerably reduces the flow speed. The design of the housing has been optimized using a flow simulation. Together, these two aspects result in a slow, laminar flow. In this way, the conditions in the heavy material separator are made ideal for the gravity-based separation of stones and metal parts.
Foreign matter which can’t be separated out like this by the foreign matter separator, e.g. because they are too small and light, or because the medium is too viscous, will move with the medium to the screen. Here it will be actively held back, until it is picked up by the slowly rotating, paddle-like, clearing units and will then be actively guided downwards into the container for foreign matter. As the clearing units rotate without touching the screen, there is minimal wear and this principle of operation is characterized by a long service life.
Active heavy material separator DebrisCatcher for biogas applications
Foreign matter such as stones and metal parts repeatedly ends up in biogas plants, whether along with the solid biomass or in the fresh liquid manure. However, due to the required dimensions and the prevailing viscosity, there is often not enough room to reliably separate out the foreign matter using a passive foreign matter separator.