The ELODE® system is an advanced second stage dewatering system designed to further dewater sludge cake from conventional dewatering equipment.

Easy to operate and maintain, the ELODE® system does what no mechanical dewatering process can: extract water through the use of an electrical potential difference.

Highly Efficient Process
The ELODE® system is based upon a highly efficient dewatering technology that extracts both free and absorbed water from the sludge at the molecular level using a combination of electrophoresis and electro-osmosis.  Electrophoresis is the natural migration of particles through a liquid due to the particles’ electric surface charge.  Electro-osmosis is the migration of water through solids towards the cathode.

Low Complexity
The ELODE® system consists of three basic components: 
- a sludge conveying belt
- an anode drum
- a cathode caterpillar

Cake is extruded onto the sludge-conveying belt.  Dewatering sludge is then fed between the anode drum and the cathode caterpillar of the ELODE® machine.  A direct current (DC) is applied to the anode drum and the cathode caterpillar creating an electrical potential difference.  This leads to a strong migration of sludge particles to the anode drum and water to the cathode caterpillar.  As a result, highly efficient dewatering is achieved discharging a cake with a solid content of 40% or higher.

The ELODE® system is distinguished from conventional dewatering that removes only the free water in a liquid/solid suspension.  The ELODE® system is an ideal secondary process for achieving higher cake solids from sludge that has been dewatered using a conventional device such as a belt press or centrifuge.

The Electrophoresis and Electro-Osmosis Process

1. Electrophoresis Process – In the initial stages of the electro-osmosis process (electrophoresis), sludge particles (-) are strongly attached to the anode drum (+).

2. Intermediary Electro-Osmosis – Dewatering occurs through movement of water (+) to the cathode (-).

3. Final Electro-Osmosis – Capillary pressure forces the absorbed water flow through the porous solid to the cathode (-).

4. Cell Membrane Destruction – Cell membrane destruction occurs and the absorbed water (bound moisture) in the cell is discharged

Features and Benefits
- High dry solids, 40-50% or more
- Lower energy than thermal dryers
- Small footprint for easy retrofit
- Fully automated and easy to use
- Low maintenance
- Minimum operating requirements

On-Site Pilot Test System
Siemens can set up an ELODE® pilot system at your plant to demonstrate the effectiveness of the system on your sludge.  The pilot system is a fully functional, automated unit that will allow you to see the system in action.

For further information, contact us at 616.772.9011 or e-mail us at dewatering.water@siemens.com.