Geotextile Dewatering Tubes

dewatering tubes in action

Geotextile Dewatering Tubes, Also referred to as Sludge Tubes, Geo-Tubes (short for geotextile), Dewatering Tubes, are ideal for filtering materials on projects and are used extensively on Water Treatment projects (WWTP’s), agricultural ponds, aquaculture facilities, pulp and paper mills and numerous industrial lagoons for consolidation of media.

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This technology is often the most inexpensive economical route to consider for treating a specific sludge / slurry stream. Simple soil analysis in conjunction with hanging bag tests can economically determine the correct fabric and pore size necessary for the conditions to safely deploy the Dewatering Tube in an environmentally responsible manner. Depending on the media, pump rates and site limitations we may consider using polymers to improve floccing and dewatering times.

Geotextile Dewatering Tubes are used extensively on dredging operations. To view a very versatile Watermaster dredge in Finland using this technolgy

Additional items to consider when planning a sludge tube program is all the necessary dredging, pumping, and piping systems (The sludge / slurry flow to the tubes must be controlled through a series of manifolds and valves). Also consider contacting a polymer specialist to treat the sludge and also the necessary management and labor to establish/maintain a sludge tube dewatering process.

The correct use of Polymer can reduce total time and provide huge savings on a geotextile dewatering tube system but must be carefully monitored during the tube filling operation. Periodic beaker tests should be done to ensure peak performance and TSS thresholds are achieved.

Additional considerations while using tubes;

• Slurry / Sludge solids content
• Placement of inlets for distribution of sludge/solids in each tube
• Drainage of clear, free-flowing filtrate from each tube to retention area or reservoir.
• Tube height should not exceed 5’ and inflation rates of multiple tubes applications
• Stability of additional layers of tubes (if filling a second layer tube)

• Safe location tubes with respect to potential hazards and area.

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Dewatering Tube Operations:

The sludge / sediment dewatering tubes are normally filled to 85% with slurry mix capacity and then allowed to consolidate. Once consolidation has taken place the dewatering tubes are then refilled, and the cycle continues, until the capacity 85% of consolidated solids is reached.

The geotextile dewatering tubes should be left in left in-place to dewater over a period of time to achieve the best volume reduction. Reduction rates depend on slurry, organics and conditions. Once consolidated the tube material can be trucked to off-site location for disposal or used as fill, compost or other beneficial uses.

Sludge Tube Benefits:

• Requires minimal dewatering equipment

• It is not very labor intensive and can run 24/7

• No hi-tech complicated procedures or parts.

• Typically the most economical approach to dewatering