Screening

Jae K. (Jim) Park, Professor

Dept. of Civil and Environmental
Engineering
University of Wisconsin-Madison

Screeni
ng
Objective
To remove large objects such as rags, paper, plastics,
metals, and the like. These objects, if not removed, may
damage the pumping and sludge removal equipment,
hang-over weirs, and block valves, nozzles, channels,
pipelines, and appurtenances
First unit operation used at wastewater treatment plants.
Type of screens
Coarse screens: used primarily as protective devices,
e.g., bar racks (or screens), coarse woven-wire screens,
and comminutors
Fine screens: openings of < 2.3~6 mm (< 0.1~0.25 inch);
used to provide pretreatment or primary treatment
2

Coarse Screens

Coarse Screens
Coarse Screen

Manual screening removal

Too wide

Coarse Screens
Coarse Screen

Coarse Screens

Screenings

Screen

Screen

Coarse Screens
Type
Bar racks or
bar screens

Location

Description

Ahead of pumps and May be manually or mechanically

grit removal facilities cleaned.

Coarse
Behind racks or ahead These are flat-, basket-, cage, or
woven wire of trickling filters
disk-type screens used to remove
media screens
relatively smaller particles. Cleaned
by removing from the channel.
Openings vary from 3 to 20 mm.
Comminutor Used in conjunction

Grinders that cut up the materials

retained over screens. Provisions
to bypass the comminutor is always
made.
10

Screw Pumps

To pump the raw sewage from wet wells to the head of the
wastewater treatment plant for gravity flow during the
treatment.

11

Fine Screens
Fixed or moving screens
20~35% SS and BOD5 removal; grease removal,
increased DO

Moving Screens
Type
Band screens

Description
Consist of an endless perforated band which passes over
upper and lower rollers. A brush may be installed to
remove the material retained over the screen. Water jet is
also used to flush the debris.

Wing or shovel Consist of circular perforated radial vans that slowly rotate
screens
on a horizontal axis. The vans scoop through the channel.
Strainers or
Drum screens

Consist of a rotating cylinder that has screen covering the

circumferential area of the drum. Openings vary from
12
0.02 to 3 mm.

Screening
A device with openings of uniform size to retain coarse

solids found in wastewater

Consists of parallel bars, rods/wires, grating, wire mesh, or
perforated plate with circular or rectangular shape
Bar racks/screens: used to protect pumps, valves, pipelines,
and other appurtenances from damage or clogging

13

Typical Screening Devices

Inclined
fixed screen

Rotary drum
screen

Centrifugal
screen

Rotary disk
screen
14

Bar Screens
Width: 2 to 14 ft
Channel depths: >100 ft

Through Flow Design

Dual Flow Design

Most commonly used at medium- and large-size wastewater

treatment plants
15

Bar Screens

16

Frontloader Bar Screen

A back-cleaned unit, which enables the rake to catch the captured
material and keep it from dropping back into the flow.
A back-cleaned unit, which enables
the rake to catch the captured
material and keep it from dropping
back into the flow.
The teeth of the rake extend
through the bars and raise the
material on the upstream side.
Can be used in channels up to 4.5
feet deep and 4 feet wide with bar
spacing down to 1/2" clear
openings.
The headroom required for the unit
is only 8 feet.
17

Aqua Guard Bar/Filter Screen

A continuous, self-cleaning device that utilizes a filter-rake

combination to remove floating and suspended materials from a
moving stream.
Available in widths of 1.5
to 15 ft. and discharge
heights of 5 to 50 ft. with
power requirements of 0.5
to 3 HP.
The standard angle of
inclination: 75 (60 and
85 are also available)
Removal of particles as
small as 1 mm to debris
larger than 200 mm

18

Curved Bar Screen

Operates through a 90 degree circular action
The horizontal and vertical position control by proximity switches
Hydraulic operation & fully automatic control (0~60 min. timer)
Efficient cleaning by variable operation timing
No damage by trapped material
Maximum screening
area
Hot-dip galvanized or
stainless steel finish

19

Climber Screen

Removes solids from the bar

screen by means of a precision
gear-driven cleaning rake
running in guide rails.
Designed to eliminate moving
parts below the water line - low
maintenance time and expense
Width: 18" to over 30
Lift: 2' to over 125',
Bar spacing: 1/4" to 6
Equipped with overload
protection device
20

Step Screen

21

Step

Screen

22

Wash Press
Designed for
effective washing of
organic material
from screenings

Vacuum Conveyor
Designed for long transport
distances, i.e. up to 15
meters (50 feet) vertically
and/or up to 50 meters (165
feet) horizontally
23

Rotamat Fine Screen

Removes, transports, compacts, and dewaters screenings.

Simple operation and low equipment costs by combining four
procedures into one piece of equipment
Used for screening raw wastewater, septage, and sludges.
All stainless steel
construction
Only one moving part
No metal-to-metal
wearing parts
One machine with a
single motor to screen,
wash, compact, and
dewater the debris
from wastewater.
24

Rotamat Fine
Screen
Screens, washes, and dewaters
with a single unit

Easily installs into open

channels for reduced
installation costs
25

Mechanically Cleaned Bar Screens

26

Band Screen (2 & 5 mm)

27

Band Screen (2 & 5 mm)

A low backwash pressure (~30 psi)

required to positively clean the screen
ProPaPanel (US Patent No. 5407563). This thick plate (9 mm or
3/8") screening media resist hair pinning, contain a tapered hole to
prevent plugging and are made of a corrosion resistant urethane.
28

Screens/Racks
Design guidelines
Design factor

Manually
cleaned

Mechanically
cleaned

Velocity through screen/rack (m/sec) 0.3~0.6 0.6~1

Bar size (mm)
Width4~8 8~10
Depth 25~50 50~75
Clear spacing between bars (mm) 25~75 10~50
Slope from horizontal () 45~60 75~85
Allowable headloss, clogged (mm) 150 150
Max. headloss, clogged (mm) 800 800

29

Settling of grit and organic particulates

Screen
Arrangement
Most common

30

Design Example
Two identical bar racks; mechanically cleaned, = 75;
bar spacing (clear) = 2.5 cm; Q peak = 1.321 m3/sec; Qmax
= 0.916 m3/sec; Qave = 0.441 m3/sec
Design values
Velocity through rack at Qpeak = 0.9 m/sec
Velocity through rack at Qmax = 0.6 m/sec
Velocity through rack at Qave = 0.4 m/sec
Diameter of the conduit = 1.53 m; slope of the conduit =
0.00047 m/m; velocity at Qpeak = 0.88 m/sec; depth of
flow in the conduit at Qpeak = 1.18 m
A. Design bar racks
1. Compute bar spacings and dimensions of the bar
rack chamber
Use peak wet weather flow for the rack chamber design.
a. Clear area through rack openings = Q peak/vmax =
1.321 m3/sec 0.9 m/sec = 1.47 m2
31

Design Example - continued

b. Clear width of the rack opening = A/d = 1.47 m2/1.18 m = 1.25 m

c. Provide 50 clear spacings at 25 mm
d. Total width of the rack chamber
50 25 mm
-3
10 m/mm = 1.25 m
e. Total number of bars = 49
f. Provide bars with 10 mm width
32

Design Example - continued

g. Width of the chamber = 1.25 m +
10 mm 10-3 m/mm = 1.74 m

49

2.

Calculate the efficiency coefficient

Efficiency coeff. = Clear opening
Width of the chamber
=
= 0.72
50 25 mm
1740 mm
3. Compute the actual depth of flow and velocity in the rack
chamber at Qpeak
a. Energy equation
v12
v 22
v12 v 22
Z1 d1
Z2 d 2
hL
h L K e

2g
2g
2g 2g
b. The chamber floor is horizontal; Z2 = 0; the invert of the
incoming conduit = 8 cm above the reference datum; Ke = 0.3
33

Design Example - continued

34

Design Example - continued

2

1.321 m 3 /sec

2
1.74 m d 2 m

0.88 m/sec

0.08 m 1.18 m
0 m d2
2 9.81 m/sec
2 9.81 m/sec
2
3

1.321 m /sec

2
1.74 m d 2 m
0.88 m/sec

0.3

2 9.81 m/sec
2 9.81 m/sec

c.Simplifying the previous equation:

d23 - 1.288 d22 + 0.021 = 0
d. Solving the above equation by trial and error
d2 = 1.28 m; v2 = 1.321 m3/sec (1.74 m 1.28 m)
= 0.59 m/sec
35

Design Example - continued

4.

Compute velocity v through the clear opening

=1.321 m3/sec
Flow
Net area at the rack 1.25 m 1.28 m
m/sec
v=

= 0.83 m/sec < 0.9

May redesign with 48 or 49 clear openings. The width of the

chamber will be reduced and higher velocity through the screen
will be encountered.
5. Compute headloss
2
2 through the2 bar rack
2

1 V v
h L
C
2g

W
h L

4/3

1 0.83 0.59

0.025 m
2
0.7 2 9.81 m/sec

49 10 mm
h v sin 2.42

50 25 mm

4/3

(0.83 m/sec) 2
sin75 0.024 m
2
2 9.81 m/sec

6. Compute the flow depth and velocity in the rack chamber

below the rack
36

Headloss Calculation
Bar racks (clean or partially clogged)
1 V2 v2

h L
C
2g

where C = empirical discharge coefficient = 0.7;

V = velocity of flow through the openings,
ft/sec;
v = approach velocity in upstream channel,
ft/sec;
2
1 Q
g = acceleration
due
to gravity,
ft/sec 2.
hL

Fine screens

C 2g A

where C = empirical discharge coefficient = 0.7;

37

Headloss Calculation - continued

Screens (clean)

W
h L

4/3

h v sin

where W = max. cross-sectional width of the bars facing

the direction of flow, m;
b = min. clear spacing of bars, m;
hv = velocity head of the flow approaching the
bars, m; and
= bar shape factor.
Bar type
Sharp-edged rectangular
Rectangular with semicircular upstream face
Circular
Rectangular with semicircular upstream/downstream face
Tear shape

2.42
1.83
1.79
1.67
0.76

38

Design Example - continued

a. Depth and velocity in the2 chamber 2
v
v
d 2 2 d3 3 h L
2g
2g
2
3
0.59 2

1.321 m /sec 1.74 m d 3 m

1.28 m
d3
0.025 m
2
2
2 9.81 m/sec
2 9.81 m/sec
b. Simplifying this equation:
d33 - 1.273 d32 + 0.029 = 0
c. Solving the equation by trial and error, d3 = 1.25 m and v3 = 0.61
m/sec.
7. Compute the headloss through the rack at 50% clogging
a. At 50% clogging of the rack, the clear area through the rack is
reduced to half and the headloss through the rack is obtained from
the energy equation
39

Design Example - continued

' 2
2

v
v 32
Assume outlet channel do not
d
d3
hL
change. i.e., d3 = d23 and v3 = v3
2g
2g
1 (Velocity through rack opening) 2 v '2
b. h 50
0.7
2g
1.321 m 3 /sec
2.114
c. Velocity through rack
v'

m/sec
'
'
1.25 m 0.5 d 2
d2
openings at 50% clogging
3
1.321
m
/sec 0.759
d. v '2

m/sec
'
'
1.74 d 2 m
d2
'
2

e. d '

0.759 d
m

m/sec
(0.61 m/sec) 2
1.25 m

2
2
2 9.81 m/sec
2 9.81 m/sec
2
2
'
'
1 2.114 d 2 m/sec 0.759 d 2 m/sec
0.7
2 9.81 m/sec 2
'
2

40

Design Example - continued

f. Simplifying this equation:
d23 - 1.269 d22 - 0.254 = 0
g. Solving this equation by trial and error: d2 = 1.40 m and v2 =
0.54 m
h. Velocity through rack openings = 2.114/1.4 m/sec = 1.51 m/sec
i. The headloss under 50% clogging:
h50 = 1.4 m - 1.25 m = 0.15 m
1 V2 v2
1 1.512 0.54 2

0.15 m
h 50
2
C
2g 0.7 2 9.81 m/sec

k. v50 = 2 v (0.83 m/sec) (#36) = 1.66 m/sec, v2 = 0.59 m/sec (#35)

1 V2 v2
1 1.66 2 0.59 2

0.18 m 0.15 m
h 50
2
C
2g 0.7 2 9.81 m/sec
41

Design Example - continued

7. Headloss increase due to 50% clogging = 0.18 - 0.025 = 0.155 m
Accurate control of the cleanup cycle and protection against surge
load are vital.
A freeboard of > 0.5 m is required.
In this design, the bar screen is deep in the ground; thus, flooding
and overflow is not a consideration.
Conditions
Clean rack
50% clogging

Upstream
v through Downstream Headloss
d2, m v2, m/s rack, m/s d3, m v3, m/s
m
1.28
1.40

0.59
0.54

0.83
1.51

1.25
1.25

0.61
0.61

0.025
0.155

B. Effluent structure
Previous calculations of flow depth and velocity were based on
normal flow conditions. Due to a free fall into the wet well, the
actual depth into the channel will be significantly smaller than the
normal depths calculated earlier. Furthermore, the velocities
through the screen will also be significantly larger.
42

Design Example - continued

A proportional weir or Parshall flume is

specially beneficial as a control section if a

free fall is available on the downstream side.
Proportional weir is ideal because:
No converging or diverging sections are needed

(compared to Parshall flume)

Raising of the floor may not be necessary (it
prevents deposition of solid during low flows)
The velocity in the channel will remain fairly
uniform even at lower flows
The head over can be calibrated for flow
measurement
43

Design Example - continued

The flow through a proportional weir is given by:

Q 1.57C d 2g LH

where:
Q= flow through the proportional weir, m/s
H= head over weir, m
Cd= coefficient of discharge (0.6~0.9), typically 0.6
L=length of the weir opening at a height H above the
weir crest, m
g= acceleration due to gravity, 9.81 m/s
Substituting the values, the previous equation is
transformed into
1

Q 4.173 LH 2 H

44

Design Example - continued

To maintain a nearly uniform velocity under variable-flow

condition, the depth of flow in the chamber must be

proportional to the flow through the chamber or the head
over the weir (H). This is achieved by keeping the factor
[LH] in previous equation constant.
To keep the bearings lubricated, the weir crest will be set

15 cm above the channel floor. The max. depth in the

channel (d3) is 1.25 m. Therefore, the max. head over the
proportional weir at peak design flow is 1.10 m (1.25-0.15
m).
The length of the weir opening (L) at the max. head over

the weir is calculated by:

Q
4.173H

1.321 m / s

0.27 m
32
4.173(1.10)
45

Design Example - continued

Compute the geometric profile of the

proportional weir
The factor [LH] at different sections is kept
constant: LH 12 0.27 1.10 0.283
Flow (m/s)

Peak=1.321
Max=0.916
Ave= 0.441
0.220
0.152
0.050

Head over
weir (m)

Weir length
(m)

Flow depth
(m)

Flow velocity
(m)

1.10
0.78
0.37
0.19
0.13
0.05
Q

0.27
0.32
0.47
0.67
0.79
1.27
0.283

1.25
0.93
0.52
0.34
0.28
0.20

0.61
0.57
0.49
0.37
0.31
0.14
Q

4.173 0.283

H1 2

d H 0.15

1.74 d
46

Design Example - continued

Design details of the
proportional weir

The ends of the weir are cut

off at a height of 5 cm
above the crest

47

Design Example - continued

Hydraulic profile through the bar rack at peak
design flow when rack is clean and at 50%
clogging

48

Design Example - continued

C. Quantity of screenings
From the figure at 2.5 cm clear spacing, the average amount of
screenings produced at the design average (0.441 m3/sec) and
peak (0.916 m3/sec) flows are 20 and 36 m3/106 m3 of the flow.
Average quantity of screenings
20 m3/106 m3 0.441 m3/sec
3600 sec/hr 24 hr/day
= 0.76 m3/day
Max. quantity of screenings
36 m3/106 m3 0.441 m3/sec
3600 sec/hr 24 hr/day
36
= 1.37 m3/day
Range: 3.5~80 m3/106 m3
Average: 20 m3/106 m3
49

Design Details
of the Bar
Rack

50

Common Operating Problems

Obnoxious odors, flies, and other insects around the bar rack
Increase frequency and removal and disposal of screenings
Excessive screen clogging
Caused by unusual amount of debris, low velocity through the
rack, or slow removal of debris
Identify the source causing excessive discharge of debris and
stop it; provide a coarser rack, or reset the timer cycle or
install level controller override
Excessive grit accumulation in the chamber
Caused by low velocity in the channel
Clean bottom regularly, reslope the bottom, rake the channel,
or flush regularly with a hose
A jammed raking mechanism
Remove the obstruction immediately
A broken chain or cable
A defective remote control circuit or motor
51

Maintenance
Daily inspection: raking chain, sprocket, teeth, and
other moving parts
Lubricate and adjust all moving parts
Perform routine maintenance
After dewatered, check for painting, cable, chain, or
teeth, remove obstructions, and straighten bend bars
Screenings: odorous and attract flies and insects
The bar screen area should be thoroughly hosed off
daily with chemical solution (chlorine or hydrogen
peroxide)
52

Information Required for

Bar Racks
Width and water depth in the channel
Clear spacing between bars
Velocity through screens
Type of cleaning equipment
Front-cleaned
Back-cleaned: does not jam easily due to
obstruction at the base of the screen
Operation intermittent by a timer or preset
differential headloss across screen
53