Geotextile Dewatering Tubes

Geotextile Dewatering Tubes (or Sludge Tubes, Geo-Tubes, Dewatering Tubes) are ideal for filtering materials on projects.

They 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.

 

Technical Specifications
Product Flyer	Geotextile Tube Flyer
Property	Value	Extra Notes
Length	50' 100' 150' 200'	Other Lengths by Special Order
Width (laying flat)	7.5', 12', 22.5' 30', 37.5', 45'	-
Circumference	15', 30', 45' 60', 75', 90'	-
Filling Port Spacing	1, 2, or 3 ports	Equally Spaced Depending on the Tube Length and Volume
Bracing Loop	Every 20' OC	-
Size and Estimated Capacity per Tube
Circumference	Tube Height (ft)	Tube Volume (cy/ft)
15	3.5	0.6
30	5	2
45	5.5	3.5
60	6	5.4
Material Specification
Fabric	Woven Geotextile	UV Stable	Weight/Unit Area oz/sq.yard (g/sq. m)	Color
Polypropylene	Yes	Yes	16.6 (560)	Black
Polyester	Yes	Yes	17.7 (600)	White
Polyester	Yes	Yes	24 (810)	White

Learn More about Dewatering Bags

The sludge / sediment geotextile 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

 

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. *** Disclaimer ***

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Other Considerations (Polymers)

Polymers: Depending on the media, pump rates and site limitations we may consider using polymers to improve floccing and dewatering times. These materials can help support the plant manager in his goal of superior performance at minimal cost by offering a complete dewatering package to our customers.


Additional items to consider when planning a sludge tube program:

• All necessary dredging, pumping, and piping systems (The sludge / slurry flow to the tubes must be controlled through a series of manifolds and valves)

• 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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Other Filter Bag Options

Other Dewatering Bag Uses

• Dewatering Bags
• Breakwater Tubes

Other Filtering Devices

• Type 1 Turbidity Curtain
• Type 2 Turbidity Curtain
• Type 3 Turbidity Curtain
• Silt Fence (Standard & DOT)
• Best Management Practices

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