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Product updates, industry insights, case studies, and company news from Franklin Miller.

All News Blog (15) Industrial Case Studies (20) Latest News (35) Solid Waste Case Studies (6) Wastewater Case Studies (42)

Blog·March 24, 2022

How to Make Rubber Granules With a Rubber Granulator

Why toss out perfectly good rubber into landfills and junkyards when it can get a second life in playgrounds, flooring, and roadways. That second chance starts by taking rubber bales and turning them into rubber granules that can combine with virgin rubber, asphalt, or resins to make new useful materials. As more uses are found for those materials, the increased demand for properly processed granules make it worth considering adding a rubber granulator to any business along the waste stream. Let’s ‌look at the process of making rubber granules and how a rubber granulator machine fits into the mix. Get Your Material Rubber granules find their way into a lot of places these days, but they start their life in a much bulkier form. Virgin rubber usually shows up as bales. You can work with the rubber you have on hand or source other forms depending on what your customers require. EPDM rubber is one of the more common forms of synthetic rubber used in home applications and is mixed with other rubber granules on site. Part of its value — and what can allow you to bring up your rubber granules price — is that it comes in a lot of fade-proof colors. This makes it more appealing for use in swimming pools or garden mulch than black. Colors can be bright orange and yellow or subtle gray and beige. While most recycled rubber comes from car tires, which produce black granules at a lower cost than the synthetic version, rubber window seals and linings can find their way into a granulator since they start life as synthetic rubber. All produce a durable product that can be stronger than natural rubber. Used rubber can be covered in filth, so removing dust and other contaminants along the way is important for getting a high-quality finished granulate. Grind It Down Turning your rubber bales to rubber granules involves pulverizing and cutting the source rubber down, which is where the granulator comes into play. These machines take the bulk material and output different sizes and consistencies for particular uses. Mulch for gardens works well as bigger strips, while flooring material needs finer granules. After the rubber material is fed into the unit via conveyor or manually, the machine motor turns the rotation knives, which cut the rubber until it’s small enough to fall through the screen net. The machine keeps recirculating the material until it is cut and cleaned to your specs. Our VULCANATOR® has the unique ability to reduce whole 75 lb. bales of synthetic or natural rubber into small particles. These low friction machine designs also keep the heat levels down and avoid having to add a cooling step to the process. Once the granules are small enough, they fall through the screen and collect in an outlet hopper. The final product has a rough texture and consistent cut look. In addition to rubber, the VULCANATOR® can handle vinyl and plastic, new and recycled parts and more. Granule quality is graded by contamination and size consistency, which ‌determines pricing. High-quality granules have the least amount of fiber and metal contamination and the greatest consistency in size. Sizing the Granules Granulators use screen nets to size the granules, and these are changed out depending on what you need for each batch. Size is often listed in millimeters, the most common being 1mm-6mm. In the US, size requirements are usually listed by mesh net size, where the higher the number, the finer the granules. Finer size crumb falls in the 40 to 200 mesh range. The number refers to the number of holes per inch in the screen net. Cutting your rubber down to finer sizes creates a premium product used where a more solid look is needed. Larger granules provide good safety protection in playgrounds, but might be less aesthetically pleasing around a pool as the surface is obviously made of rubber chunks. Looking to Make Rubber Granules? Rubber bales can take up a lot of space in landfills and junkyards, providing little value after their initial purpose. Equipment to turn them into rubber granules opened up additional revenue streams while reducing the amount of waste piling up. The market for rubber granules for sale continues to grow as new uses are found for them in everything from your kitchen floor to stadium turf. Interested in turning your rubber or heavy plastics into money and joining the ranks of rubber granule suppliers? Contact us to discuss our VULCANATOR® rubber granulator now.

Unlock the Potential of Lithium Ion Battery Recycling with Franklin Miller’s Shredders

The growing demand for lithium-ion batteries in various industries, such as consumer electronics, electric vehicles (such as Tesla, Rivian, Lucid & GM), and renewable energy storage systems (example: Tesla Powerwall), has resulted in a pressing need for efficient and sustainable recycling solutions. As a leader in size reduction technology, Franklin Miller has developed advanced Lithium Ion Battery Shredders designed to facilitate the safe and efficient recycling of spent or rejected batteries. In this blog post, we'll explore the benefits of using our shredders in your recycling process and how they contribute to a circular economy in the battery industry. Why Choose Franklin Miller's Lithium Ion Battery Shredders? Investing in Franklin Miller's Lithium Ion Battery Shredders offers several key benefits for businesses involved in battery recycling: Safe and efficient processing: Advanced features such as nitrogen blanketing and vacuum operation minimize the risk of thermal runaway and other hazards during battery recycling. Versatility: Our shredders are adaptable to various battery types and sizes, ensuring precise size reduction for optimal material recovery. Robust construction: Built with heavy-duty materials and components, our shredders are designed for long service life and minimal downtime, maximizing the return on investment. Environmentally friendly: Our shredders contribute to a circular economy in the battery industry, promoting sustainable practices and reducing the environmental impact of battery disposal. As lithium-ion battery usage continues to grow, the need for efficient recycling solutions becomes increasingly important. Franklin Miller's Lithium Ion Battery Shredders provide a reliable and eco-friendly solution that supports sustainable practices in the battery recycling industry. By investing in our shredders, businesses can confidently meet their battery recycling needs and contribute to a greener future.

Blog·February 4, 2022

The Complete Guide to Buying Solid Waste Shredders: Everything to Know

Solid waste shredders are an important part of many businesses in various sectors today. They have been serving manufacturers, waste companies, and recyclers for years. Buying solid waste shredders is a major purchase for companies and should be done with careful consideration. There are some key components you want to keep in mind when looking for shredders. Read on to find everything you need to know when looking for the right solid waste shredder for your company. Establish Why You’re Buying Solid Waste Shredders Solid waste shredders are powerful and can shred all kinds of things, such as bulky plastic or wet materials. Shredders also work great for cannabis mills, dairy farms, and cement factories. Many shredders can break down multiple materials like plastic, pallets, and tires, but those shredders may not work for wet materials. If you use a shredder for something it isn't designed for, it could clog and slow down your process. Thinking through the possibility of contaminants is also important. No matter how careful you are, contaminants will inevitably work their way into the shredder. You want to look for a shredder that can handle those contaminants. Inputs and Outputs Different shredders produce different types of output. If you plan to reuse the shredded material, you will want to know the output size from the shredder. This helps you guarantee the output size will be consistent. Some shredders will have options to add dischargers that can put the waste directly into a container. You can also get shredders that have conveyors that feed the shredder directly so the system is completely automated. Know Your Shredding Volume When looking for solid waste shredder features, you want to know how much volume you will be shredding. Your volume needs will help guide you on the type of shredder you should purchase. Shredding capacity is seen by the pounds per hour rating for any specific shredder. You want to know your expected capacity needs and then allow for some extra. This helps you find a machine that won't get overloaded. For example, shredding metal is a common need for many large industries. They will look for twin-shaft high torque shredders that can transform their large metal pieces into smaller pieces for transport. Educate Yourself on Routine Maintenance Your solid waste shredding system will need periodic maintenance. Lubrication and oil changes for the engine and parts are vital for long-lasting success. Grinding blade care is also important for longevity. Wanting to do the servicing yourself means finding out how easy potential shredders are to service. Look for things such as access panels and easy instructions to do it yourself. If your machine is more complex and needs professionals to service it, find out from your solid waste shredder provider about regular maintenance. They should be able to tell you what is involved, and the expected costs for servicing. Many shredders ultimately will not need professional service. If you’re a fan of self-service and self-maintenance, ‌bring that up when shopping for a shredder. The Quality of Construction One overlooked aspect of maintenance is to look at the quality of construction of a potential shredder. Shredders that are precision manufactured may cost a little more upfront, but will often turn out less expensive in the long run. Look for shredders that offer heavy construction parts for long-lasting life. Low vibration and quiet operation are signs of quality construction and should be something you are looking for in a shredder. Set Up Location and Storage Options The size of the shredder you need is based on what material you are shredding and how much you will be shredding. You will also need to consider the location you are planning to set the shredder. Shredders need a good amount of space around them and they can't be crammed in a corner. Think through where you are planning to put the shredder and how much space is available. Another thing to think about is the atmosphere around the shredder. Will it be in a climate-controlled room or will it be outside under an awning? These factors will need to be considered when picking a shredder. A Quality Shredder for Your Company Buying solid waste shredders is not like buying a paper shredder for your office. It is a major investment, and you will want to take the time to research and find the right shredder for your company. Your goal is to find a shredder that will meet your needs for the long term. You don't want to settle for something that ends up having to be replaced in just a few years. Investing the time to find the perfect shredder solution is worth it. Franklin Miller has been a size-reduction technology leader for over 100 years. We specialize in helping companies find the perfect system for their needs, and even have a test lab to demonstrate our solutions for you. Contact us today about your shredder needs and let us help you find the perfect solution for your company

Blog·January 24, 2022

A Business Owner’s Guide to Cannabis Waste Solutions

Did you know that US sales of cannabis increased by 67% in 2022? However, with higher demand comes higher waste. If you are a small business owner in the cannabis industry, you may wonder what you can do with your cannabis waste. While the regulations are strict, we luckily still have several options. In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about cannabis waste solutions. Ready to dive in? Keep reading! What Is Cannabis Waste? The Department of Cannabis Control defines cannabis waste as something that contains or has come in contact with cannabis at any given time. This can mean during the farming, production, drying, or curing process. Even the packaging that comes in contact with cannabis is considered "cannabis waste" and needs the same treatment as the leftover aspects of the plant itself. This can include flowers that are not up to par, expired products, trimmings, and unusable parts, such as stalks. There are two different categories of cannabis waste; hazardous and non-hazardous, each with a different method of waste disposal. Countries and states both determine cannabis waste differently. Those who declare that cannabis waste is hazardous may require the destruction of cannabis before it is disposed of according to the regulations of the local government. The same requirements for medical disposal are, in this case, applied to cannabis as well. However, if the regulations state that they are non-hazardous, cannabis may be mixed in with other non-hazardous organic materials such as food. In fact, regulations for many states require cannabis to be mixed with non-cannabis material in order to be disposed of. Wood chips are a good example of something mixed with cannabis for proper disposal. The Best Waste Disposal Solutions for Cannabis We've discussed eco-friendly options that are good for both the environment, but getting from A to B is a whole different story. Regardless of the regulations in your country or state, it is essential that cannabis waste is unrecognizable after processing. The dangers of a minor getting their hands on cannabis is too high. There are two solutions we can explore when dealing with cannabis waste; waste shredders and grinders. Waste Shredders Waste shredders are most commonly used to shred the stems of the cannabis plant. The stems are often the most difficult to process, as they are prone to get stuck and clog the machine if used incorrectly. However, shredding it before mixing it with another product is essential in order to dispose of the product. Shredding the stem to an inch or even less can help before mixing it with other products such as wood, for example, in order to make the cannabis unusable and unrecognizable. Waste Grinders A favorite for disposing of cannabis is a waste grinder. This machine can slowly grind the product into smaller, shredded pieces. Grinders are ideal for difficult-to-process materials, such as fibrous and wet materials. It is important to remember that the soil, root, and any other growing media are included in the waste disposal. Any substance that comes in contact with cannabis is considered waste once its lifecycle is up. Need More Waste Solutions? There are many regulations for the production and sale of cannabis. It is no surprise that these strict regulations include the disposal of cannabis products as well. There is a lot of waste in the production of cannabis, from stem to leaf, to the empty packaging of expired products. Are you looking for a solution to your waste management? Give us a call today; our associates are experts in the field of waste solutions and are happy to assist with any of your needs, including the shredding of cannabis.

Everything You Need to Know About Medical Waste Shredders

Medical waste requires an effective waste disposal system designed for many types of objects and products. Whether made from hard glass or small metal products, or soft fibers such as linen or latex gloves, the right shredder can get the job done. This is where industrial-grade medical shredders come in. Shredders turn waste volumes into something sterile and, where possible, recyclable. Keep reading for all the gritty details on medical waste shredders. Examining Medical Waste Medical facilities generate vast amounts of waste daily. Hospitals, labs, nursing homes, clinics, dentists, and funeral homes are a few examples. This waste must be carefully managed, therefore medical waste gets classified according to its potential risks. The classifications are sometimes different depending on what state you live in, however, the general categories that Franklin Miller shredders break down include: 1. Microbiological This medical waste is infectious and could spread disease. It’s infected with pathogens from blood, body fluids, or discarded medical specimens. These types of items include used disposable medical supplies and devices. 2. Injurious Injurious waste is something you’ve thrown away that could injure someone else. It includes glass test tubes, medical needles, scalpels, and other so-called medical sharps. Why Shredding? Shredding safely disposes of medical waste. Plus, it saves a lot on the overall costs of disposal and storage. Depending on your requirements, shredders can be set to match your facility’s output and can produce any final particle size you need. Whatever type of medical waste you’re dealing with, shredders help with pretreatment, which results in a refined, sterilized final product. After shredding, the final waste product is often burned up in an incinerator. However, another option is to put the material through a dehydrating process which removes the need for incineration. Dehydration is better for the environment since it reduces emissions and the resulting waste material can then be used as waste-derived fuel. TASKMASTERⓇ shredders are expertly engineered for plant and lab applications. They efficiently manage all types of medical waste, producing very little dust. These industrial shredders can reduce bulk medical waste by 80%. Medical waste shredders do the mechanical part of the disposal process. Below is a quick overview of how three TASKMASTERⓇ industrial shredders work: Taskmaster TM8500 The TM8500 has a small grinder with a twin shaft. It is capable of grinding a wide range of solids. Its cutting chamber is 8.5 inches. The cutters are available in a variety of configurations that produce the desired particle size and properties. This shredder has uses in research, and other specified applications. You can read how the TM8500 shredder helped with marine biomass research in this case study. Taskmaster TM1600 This is an industrial, work-horse type of shredder. It processes heavy solids in gravity and liquid systems. It can be installed horizontally with a stand. Or, it can be fitted vertically with flange adapters for pipeline or channel applications. Taskmaster TM2300 This is a heavy-duty industrial shredder designed to reduce solids in high-volume. It has a high-torque and a low-speed design. It’s built for maximum performance and reliability. The TM2300 can reduce a variety of tough solids to strips or chips that are ready for further processing. It allows the efficient disposal of medical waste by reducing volumes significantly. Regulated Refuse There are set standards for sterilizing and disposing of harmful medical waste. These standards govern the handling of potentially contaminated items. Medical waste management involves disposal that keeps people, animals, and the environment safe. Since it's hazardous, it needs to go through a sterilization and shredding process. The point of regulated medical waste is to minimize, or preferably destroy, all hazards by making the waste unrecognizable, unusable, and harmless. Before waste can get recycled or destroyed, it must first be made non-hazardous. So, the sterilization part usually comes first. The waste gets sorted and transferred to medical recycling facilities. Then the waste materials are treated and processed. A proper medical waste shredder is vital to recycling waste correctly. Classifications and regulations on medical waste disposal vary from state to state. Medical waste regulations are upheld by federal agencies, including the CDC, OSHA, and the FDA. Shred Your Medical Waste With Franklin Miller General medical waste is always considered contaminated. When left untreated, it may harm people, animals, or the environment. The people who work to uphold the regulations that protect us are truly unsung heroes. If you're a medical waste hero looking for the most effective shredder, you can get expert advice here.

How to Dispose of Flushable Wipes Properly

We use 14,000 hand wipes per second. That is a staggering number of wipes entering our waste management systems every day. Many of these wipes claim to be flushable, but often they end up blocking our sewer pipes and waterways, and this is causing a tremendous problem. Read on to discover why flushable wipes, despite their usefulness, are actually causing major stress for our sewage and wastewater systems and what we can do to help reduce the problem. What Does Flushable Actually Mean? The biggest half-truth that the wipes sell themselves on is the idea that they are flushable. This suggests that you can drop them into the toilet and flush them away with no consequences. A scientific study into the difference between flushable and non-flushable wipes concluded that there was an “absence of any technical basis that separates flushable wipes clearly from non-flushable.” In the wipes studied, there was no real discernable difference in terms of thickness, composition, and weight. The truth is that while it is possible to flush a wipe down the drain, you really shouldn't! Labeling them as flushable is extremely misleading, mostly because of what they contain. Even though some brand names like Cottonelle wipes suggest otherwise, wet wipes are not actually made of cotton. They are mostly made of plastic and pulp. Like plastic microbeads in our cleaning liquids, once the biodegradable aspects of the product have worn away, you are just left with the plastic. Plastic that sticks to anything and everything. Once these wipes and their plastic enters the water system, that is when the real problems begin. The Big Fatberg Problem You may have already heard of the term "Fatberg" before. People aren't very careful about what they pour down the sink or flush down the toilet. Much of the kitchen waste that is poured down the sink is liquid cooking fats. Once these fats get into the sewage system, they have already started to cool down. As they do, they solidify, turning sticky and hard. Fats stick to other fats and anything else floating in the sewage waters, like flushable wipes that have not broken down. Now in an underpopulated place, this may not present too much of a problem. However, once you get to the cities where sewers are used in greater numbers, a real problem forms. Fatbergs are solid lumps of fat and grease that have solidified around items like flushable wipes to create an unmovable mass. They quickly block the flow of pipes, causing sewer line blockages and immense damage to the system. The havoc it causes to wastewater systems include jamming mechanisms, clogging pumps, and breaking critical machinery. Fatbergs can even cause sanitary sewer overflows, where sewage discharges into the environment without treatment. Wastewater treatment personnel spend a good percentage of their time mining the fatbergs from beneath cities. The largest and most famous fatberg was found underneath London. It weighed 130 tons and took a team of eight workers nearly a month to remove it. It’s also a costly endeavor. In 2018, New York City spent $19 million to remove 2,100 fatberg masses from their sewer systems. What Can I Do To Help? Firstly, stop or limit the number of flushable wipes you are using. This can be difficult if you need the wipes for cleaning or looking after a baby. We have become very dependent on how easy they are to use. Throw wipes away in a bin. This may seem like a less hygienic option depending on what the wipe has been used for, but it is the most environmentally safe option for the planet. But what about if you run a business? You may not have much control over what people are putting down your toilet pipes. Hospitals, restaurants, and public toilets all suffer from this problem. You could still find yourself with blocked drains and piping even if you are trying your best to avoid the problem and be environmentally friendly. Providing signage and bins will only help to a certain degree in persuading your clientele to change their habits. This is where wastewater management systems need to step in and provide industrial solutions to the problem. The Shredding Solution Flushable wipes, sanitary items, or even large clumps of traditional toilet paper will clog up most sewage pipes. However, you can shred them before they become a major issue. Installing a municipal grinder into the wastewater system will assist with breaking down the materials into tiny pieces so that they do not clog pipes as easily. Franklin Miller grinders will reduce flushed waste so that pipes can continue to flow regardless of what the public has decided to discard. Solutions like these will help keep wastewater flowing and help the build-up of fatbergs in our sewage systems. Stop Using Flushable Wipes The simplest solution for us all is to stop using flushable wipes. The damage they are doing to our sewage pipelines in the long term is untenable. However, the flushable wipes industry grows more popular and shows no sign of decline. So, for now, shredding solutions are our best line of defense against the ever-growing fatbergs lurking in our sewers. If you are interested in upgrading your wastewater management and would like to find out more about our shredding solutions for pipelines, please take a look at our catalog.

Blog·July 7, 2021

Top 7 Benefits of Grinders for Wastewater Treatment

When we think of wastewater treatment, our first thoughts might be the need to get rid of chemicals and toxic pollutants identified by the EPA. But long before the water gets to that point, a lot of large debris has to be removed or cut down to size. Grinders go after those difficult large solids to cut them down to size and make them easier to remove from the water stream. The benefits of grinders are many, including saving time, water, and manpower. Let’s look at a few of the reasons to use grinders in wastewater treatment. 1. Disposal Alternative The early stage of wastewater treatment typically involves screening out large debris. However, if you only use screens, you have to have a plan for getting it out of the screen and disposing of it. It’s not always practical or cost-efficient to do this. Disposal at that stage adds an extra step and requires a location for putting debris. Using grinders to cut the debris into smaller pieces allows those pieces to continue through the treatment process and be dealt with at a later stage. This can be more efficient as there’s just one step for disposal rather than two. 2. Cut Through Anything You’d be amazed what ends up floating into a treatment plant - rags, flushable wipes, paper, and other stringy materials just for a start. Then there are the ubiquitous plastic bags, sticks, and bottles that wash through as well, along with food particles and wood. Even entire shirts, blankets, and uniforms end up downstream of correctional facilities and other institutions. A grinder uses several tons of cutting force at its peak levels to slash through difficult liquid-solid combinations to make the debris easier to deal with and ensure things keep flowing. 3. Reduce Pump Clogging Pump clogs slow everything down. The treatment line might have to stop to take time to clear them, and it often has to be done by hand. The smaller the pieces in the wastewater stream, the less likely it is they will clog pumps. They can just flow through with the water stream to be collected later in the sludge. Fewer clogs mean less downtime clearing them and less risk to workers having to do the clearing manually. 4. Improve Sludge Processing Part of the secondary stage of treatment is dealing with the sludge removed from the wastewater. If you chopped debris to let it travel downstream, this is where it gets removed by letting it settle into the sludge. However, that sludge still has to be removed from the system, which typically means going through a pump. A grinder can pre-condition sludge to cut solids down even further. This keeps them from clogging or damaging sludge pumps, centrifuges, or dewatering systems. The sludge is often added to composting woodpiles, which farmers then use to restore nitrogen and phosphorus levels in the soil rather than using chemical fertilizer. 5. Protect Your Downstream Equipment Whether you use a grinder for open channels or inline applications, a key benefit is to protect all your downstream equipment. Effective cutting into small pieces keeps debris from damaging equipment not meant to handle large solids. Smaller pieces can flow through filters and pumps unimpeded until you’re ready to remove them from the flow. They are less likely to cause abrasion or clogging. The big goal is to protect your pumps, including rotary lobe and progressive cavity types. 6. Reduce Manual Intervention by Workers Any factory, plant, or treatment facility wants to keep work as safe as possible for its employees. By using a grinder to cut up debris, you reduce the need for manual jobs and intervention. Not to mention you avoid the need for messy jobs and hands-on waste disposal. For example, there is usually less need for raking to remove debris caught in screens during the preliminary treatment stage. Your people also shouldn’t need to intervene to clear clogs down the line or move debris away from a filter to allow the flow to continue. Counter-rotating shafts can keep the cutters clean, so they don’t have to be cleared out by hand either. This is not only safer, but it saves time and causes less disruption to the process as well. 7. Faster BOD Removal In the later stages of wastewater treatment, steps are taken to degrade and break down any suspended solids and organic matter left in the liquid. How much can remain is dictated by the Clean Water Act at the federal level, along with state and local regulations. Sometimes this involves using chemicals and sometimes aeration. But one common way is using bacteria to eat up the remaining pollutants. Smaller pieces can be degraded faster as the bacteria has more surface area to work on, which speeds up the treatment process. Need More on the Benefits of Grinders? If you have to deal with disposing of wastewater, a grinder can be a great addition to the early stages of the process. Once you understand how grinders work, it’s easier to see the various benefits they offer, from cutting down on manpower costs and risks to reducing downtime due to clogging. If you want to learn more about the benefits of grinders, contact us for more information on our reliable grinder equipment and other wastewater treatment solutions.

Blog·June 10, 2021

The Problem With Flushable Wipes

Though disposable wipes have long been popular amongst parents, their use exploded at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic—sales of wipes surged by 75 percent over the past year to January 2021. What attracts people to wet wipes is their portability and convenience. We get it. They’re a quick solution for messy-faced-kid clean-ups that spill on aisle ten or the muddy hands you got while gardening. Read on to learn why flushable wipes are the bane of governments across the globe and what you can do to solve the problem. Why Do People Use Flushable Wipes? People use flushable wipes to: Remove cosmetics and face-washing Clean everything from kitchen counters to toilets Replace toilet paper Help with diaper changes Disinfect hands in public places And once you’re done with a wipe, you can just throw them in the trash or down the toilet, right? Problem solved! Or is it? City administrations all over America are now issuing alerts to advise citizens to keep these wipes away from the bathroom. Why Do They Pose Such a Problem? Unfortunately, there isn’t just a simple, single problem with wet wipes to solve. These seemingly innocuous pieces of damp tissues create numerous issues for both plumbing and the environment. They Clog Your Pipes Manufacturers design toilet paper to break down as soon as it hits the water. However, don’t be deceived into thinking that the “flushable” in flushable wipes means they’ll perform the same way. Despite the label on the packaging stating some wipes are flushable, most plumbers will tell you this is definitely not the case. In fact, some research suggests that so-called flushable wipes become even less “dispersible” than they already are the longer they’re stored. The more wipes you drop into your toilet, the more likely your pipes, septic tank, or even the city sewer system will become blocked. And no one wants to deal with sewage backing up into their home or shell out tons of money to get the plumber in. They’re Bad For the Environment The environmental effects of wet wipes are related to their production and disposal. Like other fiber-based products, the manufacturing process requires a lot of water. And, of course, there’s the same use of non-renewable resources like oil that comes with any plastic product. Disposable wipes are also among the other PPE products like masks and gloves ending up on beaches and in the ocean. Once in our waterways, they wreak havoc on marine life. Ocean creatures swallow them and they clog coral reefs. And if they end up in a landfill, they might stay there, intact, for as long as a century. They Might Cause Health Problems Flushable wipes are soaked in solutions designed to help them clean or disinfect your skin. Though you can get some wipes claiming to be hypo-allergenic, many others contain controversial chemicals such as parabens, preservatives like methylchloroisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone, and a variety of fragrances. These compounds may cause allergic reactions in some people, especially after repeated exposure. Always carefully check the ingredient list on the package of wipes and stop using them if you react. Wipes can also become contaminated with all manner of viruses and bacteria: E. Coli, hepatitis, cholera, just to name a few. By flushing them into the sewage system, you’re also inadvertently contributing to the contamination of coastal waterways. How to Safely Dispose of Wet Wipes So if a flushable wipe isn’t actually supposed to be flushed down the toilet, where do you put it? Thankfully, there are a few solutions to help you deal with this municipal menace. Throw Them in the Trash The EPA advises dropping wipes into a trash can, just as you would with cleaning items, paper towels, and rags. To ensure your garbage container stays hygienic, use a liner bag and clean it regularly with disinfectant. Consider keeping a bin in the bathroom if members of your household or your organization’s staff keep flushing wipes. Add a sign to remind people to trash them and not flush them. If you’re concerned that the wipes are contaminated, bag them up securely and take them to your local pharmacy or hospital, where they can be safely disposed of. Of course, this doesn’t solve the problem of these non-biodegradable wipes filling up the landfills or ending up in the belly of a turtle. But at least your plumbing is safe! Grind Them Up Wipes grinders are an affordable, efficient solution for commercial businesses, hospitals, or factories that go through large amounts of disposable or disinfectant wipes. They help ensure companies can keep wipes out of waterways and keep city sewers free of fatbergs, even if they have a lot to dispose of. By grinding wipes instead of just throwing them into the trash whole, you reduce the load on landfills–meaning lower, more compact volumes of trash. These industrial grinders are designed with treatment works in mind to handle even the most demanding waste materials. And if you have specific grinding needs, such as huge volumes or safety concerns, most manufacturers can provide custom solutions and configurations. Just ask! Don’t Buy Them in the First Place Another solution to your wipes problem is to simply, well, avoid purchasing them. There are a ton of alternatives for both home and commercial settings. (Though, of course, there are some industries where their use is unavoidable, such as medical facilities.) Some disposable wipe replacements include: Eco-friendly materials like bamboo Reusable fabric cloths and rounds Compostable and biodegradable wipes Toilet bidets and “family cloth” If you’re worried about staying sanitized, especially in the post-pandemic era, wash your hands regularly at a sink with soap and water. Research proves it protects you from common bacterial and viral disease transmission. Solutions at Your Fingertips If you’re ready to give up flushable wipes for good, municipal authorities and eco-warriors alike will thank you. Stop throwing your wipes in the toilet and look for better solutions to the landfill issue, like grinding large volumes of wipe waste into more manageable volumes. Hunt down alternatives like compostable wipes or try handwashing with soap and water. If you’re a large business looking for trash solutions, reach out to the team at Franklin Miller today. They have over 100 years of experience with waste size-reduction technology: from grinders, shredders, and crushers to wastewater treatment systems.

Wastewater Processing With a Grinder

A grinder is ideal for your wastewater processing and treatment applications. A grinder like the Dimminutor provides an effective and low-maintenance solution for reducing the solids in your wastewater. Find out more about grinders and their role in wastewater processing. You'll be ready to take the first step toward improving your wastewater processing. What Is a Wastewater Grinder? A grinder uses abrasion and often compression as well to reduce solid materials into small particles. Our grinders typically use cutters, in particular our Cutter Cartridge Technology, to pulverize material. They can handle solids like plastics, vegetable matter, and disposable wipes. A wastewater grinder protects downstream equipment from large debris. For example, solids can clog the pump impellers, digestors, and nozzles in the sewage treatment process. Grinders can easily pay for themselves by preventing damage and downtime. Open Channel vs. In-Line A wastewater grinder can either be an open channel or in-line. An open channel grinder fits into a straight-through channel, wet well, or water inlet. An in-line grinder fits directly into the pipeline. You'll need an in-line grinder if you have a dry pumping station. Dual Shaft Grinders A dual shaft grinder has two shafts of blades. They rotate toward one another at different speeds, which helps clear the blades of debris. Dual shaft grinders are very effective when it comes to wastewater processing. How Does a Grinder Help with Wastewater Processing? Cleaning and purifying the recaptured water is a critical part of wastewater processing. A grinder makes this process work more efficiently. First the grinder removes larger solids from the process water. This starts cleaning the water for reuse. Once the large solids are removed, it goes through a pumping station and into a fine screen that removes even smaller debris. Downstream processes remove particles and polluting materials from the wastewater, in addition to other remaining contaminants. Some processes have waste materials that you can reuse. After removing this material from the water, you can put it back into the production process. Benefits of Wastewater Processing Wastewater processing has benefits for the environment and your business. You spend less on effluent disposal because your waste volume is less. This leads to lower costs for storage, transportation, and disposal. You reduce your costs by handling some of the material yourself. Using processed wastewater and materials is naturally good for the environment too. You use fewer raw materials, which puts less strain on resources, and you use less energy because you don't need to pump in as much water. Why Choose a Dimminutor Grinder? A grinder like the Dimminutor has many advantages for your wastewater processing program. It's easy to use and maintain. The Dimminutor grinder has three interchangeable cutters, which you can remove or adjust independently. They work in both directions. You can also rotate the cutters to ensure that they wear evenly. The cutters are made from hardened stainless steel and the screens are made from stainless steel plates. Producing the screens with laser cutting technology makes them highly precise and durable. Ultimately, the design of the Dimminutor lets you avoid some of the issues you may find with other grinders. Unlike other grinders, the Dimminutor's cutters penetrate the individual slots of the screen. This lets the cutters clear the screen with each revolution. The Dimminutor is cantilevered, so it doesn't have seals or bearings near the gritty channel floor. The screen doesn't move, and it doesn't rub against the bottom grit either. This saves wear and tear on the unit. The seals and bearings are also immersed in an oil bath, which helps provide a longer life and less maintenance required. How Does the Dimminutor Work? You can install the Dimminutor in a straight-through channel, wet well, or water inlet. It will handle full or occasional submergence. The wastewater passes through the grinder with minimal pressure loss and the flow will remain unobstructed even during reversing cycles. Solid matter arrives with the fluid current and reaches the rotary blades. The cutters grab the foreign matter and draw it in with its smooth, continuously rotating design. The low speed and high torque provide good performance with low drive power as the blades rip and grind up solid, coarse, or brittle material. It cuts long-fibered material into pieces. The Dimminutor grinder doesn't have gaps or openings between the cutters and the screen. It gives you a controlled output and complete grinding of solid matter. Getting the Most from Your Grinder A Dimminutor will give you years of dependable service. It's designed for easy maintenance so you can keep it running trouble-free. At Franklin Miller, we pride ourselves on providing excellent customer support at every stage of the process. We'll help you choose the best equipment for your application and provide all the support you need through installation and startup. We're ready to answer any questions that may come up over the life of your grinder. Our personnel can also make field visits to make recommendations on maximizing the efficiency of your equipment. Contact us for more information. Let's start designing your solids reduction solution today.

Blog·March 10, 2021

What Is a Wastewater Bar Screen and Why Is It Important?

America has 14,778 wastewater treatment plants and they all work to purify the water that plants, animals, and humans drink every day. One of the most crucial pieces of equipment for these facilities is a wastewater bar screen. It's the first step in the process because it filters out large solids. Without it, hazardous materials would remain in public drinking water and clog up the rest of the plant’s equipment. Read our guide to learn about a bar screen’s place in the wastewater treatment process and how to find the best one for your needs. What Is Wastewater Treatment? Wastewater contains contaminants such as feces, urine, sticks, and debris. 35% of it contains solid objects. Wastewater treatment helps clean this water. It's also used to return it to the ecosystem without harming the environment. The entire process takes about 24 to 36 hours from start to finish. The stages of wastewater treatment include pre-treatment, primary treatment, secondary treatment, disinfection, and effluent release. Pre-Treatment Pre-treatment begins when wastewater arrives at a treatment plant. It flows through a bar screen, and any large solids get sent to landfills. The water then moves to a grit chamber that lowers its velocity and removes smaller particles. Primary Treatment Primary treatment begins when sediment settles in the grim chambers. The water moves to a primary clarifier. Heavier solids settle at the bottom and become sludge, while lighter material floats to the top and becomes scum. This makes the water effluent, meaning that it's slightly treated and free of solids and organic materials. Secondary Treatment Secondary treatment begins when the effluent water flows into an aeration basin. It artificially adds air in a process known as aerobic digestion that removes any leftover solids and organic matter. The water then goes to a secondary clarifier to remove the sludge. After that, it returns to the aeration basin. Disinfection When disinfection begins, 85% of organic matter has already been removed from the water. Water treatment plants use chlorine, ozone, or UV disinfection to remove the rest. Chlorine disinfection puts chemicals into the water and then removes them before discharging them into a stream or lake. Ozone disinfection pumps an electrical current through the effluent water to separate oxygen molecules. It removes 99.99% of bacteria. UV disinfection sterilizes water using ultraviolet light to kill any remaining microorganisms. Effluent Release Effluent release is the last step in the process. It involves sending the treated wastewater back into local waterways or discharging them into another treatment plant. What is a Wastewater Bar Screen? A wastewater bar screen is a coarse screen made of vertical steel bars spaced 1-3 inches apart. It filters out large solid objects such as rags, plastic, paper, and metal from flowing water. The most basic wastewater bar screen uses nothing but vertical bars that allow water to pass through but stop larger objects. They're effective but not as efficient as other types. Objects can build up on them, preventing flow and elevating backwater levels. Many plants use a conveyor system where bars or wires pick up solids that build up on the screen and take them to a separate container. This is a type of mechanical bar screen. Manual bar screens require little maintenance, but need frequent cleaning. The process is time-intensive and dangerous because it can cause overflows or flow surges. Only old plants use them as a primary screening system. They're best utilized as a backup option or for small facilities or bypass channels. Mechanical bar screens automate removing debris. They reduce labor costs and the risk of overflows, but are more expensive to purchase and maintain. There are 4 types of mechanical bar screens; chain-drive, reciprocating rake, catenary, and continuous belt screens. Chain-drive screens use a rake that can go up or down to help keep themselves clean. Reciprocating rake or climber screens use one rake that moves to the base and pulls waste to the top where it's disposed of. They're efficient, but not the best option for heavy screening. Catenary screens have a rake that goes against the bars and travels up to deposit waste into a chamber. A continuous belt screen uses a large number of rakes to maintain cleanliness. Why Do I Need a Bar Screen for Wastewater Treatment? Emptying improperly treated water into lakes and rivers can devastate local plants and wildlife. It can also negatively affect public health. As the first step in the wastewater treatment process, the importance of a wastewater bar screen cannot be overstated. A wastewater bar screen prevents damage and wear and tear, reducing the need for maintenance for the whole system. It minimizes interference during the treatment process while also preventing clogging and contamination of waterways. How Do I Choose the Best Wastewater Bar Screen? There are several factors to consider when choosing a wastewater screen. Consider the size and volume of the material that needs to be removed. You may need larger screens to filter out heavy material. You should also consider the minimum and maximum water levels in the area. You'll need a larger screen system to filter out more water, even if it's clean. Look into the screen's maintenance requirements and reliability. For example, manual bar screens require less maintenance, but aren't as reliable because they get covered in built-up material more often. Consider the characteristics of your plant. Ensure that the screen meets your needs. You must also determine who is the best supplier in your area to purchase the wastewater bar screen from. You must do your research to find the most reliable, highly-rated company possible. Where Can I Find a Wastewater Bar Screen? Wastewater treatment provides the world with healthy drinking water by removing large contaminants and those that are too small to see. There are thousands of plants dedicated to achieving this purpose. A wastewater bar screen stops and removes large solids. It purifies the rest of the water that moves on to other purification processes. Choosing the right wastewater bar screen begins with examining your needs. If you're aware of how much water needs to be processed, what it contains, and what equipment you already have, you can choose the right type and size of screen to manage it. Franklin Miller is a trusted provider of wastewater treatment equipment. Browse our wastewater screening equipment today.

What Is a Wastewater Bar Screen?

‍Wastewater treatment involves many comprehensive steps to remove debris, grits, grease, and other pollutants to produce clean water. It involves several screenings, biological degradation, the addition of chemicals, disinfection, and much more. The first step, though, is the removal of the largest objects in wastewater. For this purpose, we need bar screens. What is a wastewater bar screen and how does it work? Keep on reading to learn more. Wastewater Bar Screen A bar screen is a filter that removes big solid objects from the wastewater. It’s a type of coarse screen that takes out rags, plastics, papers, metals, etc. from any flowing water. As the name implies, it usually consists of vertical steel bars spaced 1 to 3 inches apart. It’s usually the first step in a wastewater system. What follows are other screens and treatments to remove other pollutants. By removing the large solids, we can prevent damage and unnecessary wear and tear. This reduces maintenance needs and potential issues for the whole system. The removal of large solids also minimizes interferences in the whole treatment process. It prevents clogging, for instance, and it prevents contamination of the waterways. How It Works The simplest bar screens only have vertical bars that let water pass through while stopping big objects. It’s a basic system that does the job, although it’s not as efficient. The objects can build up in the screen, which can stop the flow of water and elevate the backwater levels. Today, plants and facilities typically use a conveyor system. In this type, bars or wires pick up the solids trapped in the screen and then carry them somewhere else. The objects don’t accumulate on the screen because the filters move through and out of the water. This is a type of mechanical bar screen, which we’ll discuss later. This method keeps the flow of water steady as there’s a lower risk of clogging. Without this mechanism, the bar screens can get clogged within minutes. In cases of high volumes of coarse matter or high-speed water flow, this can happen a lot. The collected objects get deposited in another container of a given capacity. This would depend on a facility’s acceptable rate of disposal procedures. Other systems dump the waste into a compactor or conveyor. Manual Wastewater Bar Screen vs Mechanical Bar Screen For a smooth and continuous operation, it’s important to prevent clogging. The flow of water must remain steady at all times, which is why we have different types of bar screens today. They differ on the cleaning system. Manual Screening System Manual bar screens need frequent raking to remove the accumulated waste. As you would expect, this method is labor-extensive. As such, only older plants have manual screens as their primary screening system. It’s also useful in smaller facilities and bypass channels. The size of the openings range from 1 inch to 2 inches (30 mm to 50 mm). The bars incline at 30 to 45 degrees, which facilitates better cleaning. These types of bar screens have a much larger area submerged in water. This allows for less frequent rakings, but it’s still time-consuming. They shouldn’t be larger than 3 meters, though, for convenient raking. The cleaning process can be dangerous, as well, and the time it takes to clean might cause an overflow. While the mat is out for cleaning, flow surges may also occur. The use of manual bar screens is declining in favor of automated processes, even in smaller plants. However, this system is still surviving as it can serve as a back-up system, as recommended by EPA. It’s a safety measure that new plants practice in case the primary screening device is out of service. A small advantage is that the equipment requires little maintenance at all. Small plants with only a few screenings can also make manual bar screens work for them. Mechanical Bar Screen Mechanical bar screens are the opposite. They use an automated cleaning process to keep the screens free from debris. There are few concerns over overflowing backwater because the debris won't accumulate. They usually have a screening compactor nearby to convey the waste to a disposal area. Aside from the ease of cleaning, mechanical screens also improve the flow conditions. This system is not as labor-extensive, so it reduces labor costs. However, it has higher initial costs and it’s much more expensive to maintain. Mechanically-cleaned bar screens have smaller opening sizes of 0.25 to 1.5 inches (6 mm to 36 mm). The bars can be steeper at 0 to 30 degrees as employees don’t have to rake the debris. New facilities almost always have mechanical screen cleaning systems as their primary device. They have more advantages than disadvantages. For this reason, manual bar screens are disappearing from industrial settings. They have four principal types: chain-driven screens, reciprocating rake, catenary screen, and continuous belt screen. Chain-driven screens use screens for cleaning. The rake can go up or down, depending on if the flow of water is from upstream or downstream. In the reciprocating rake system (or climber screens), there is only one rake. The rake moves to the base and pulls the waste to the top, where they get disposed of. As this type only has one rake, it can have limitations in heavy screening applications. A catenary screen has a rake that’s positioned against the bars. The rakes travel upwards to deposit the waste in a chamber. Then, we have the continuous belt screen. It’s a continuous screen with a large number of rakes. Choose the Right Bar Screens As the preliminary or first step in the wastewater treatment process, bar screens serve a crucial role. The other equipment depends on them to do their job well. As such, you need the right wastewater bar screen for your facility. The volume of water and waste are only some of the factors you have to consider. Contact us today and let us help you decide.

Blog·January 20, 2021

How Wastewater Treatment Works & Why It’s Important

Do you ever wonder what happens to the waste that you flush down your toilet or the dirty dishwater that flows down your drain? Any water that has been used and requires cleaning before being placed back into a water system is considered wastewater. Before the water can be released back into the water system, it needs wastewater treatment. Without it, the polluted water enters the water system and contaminates not only the water, leading to dying plants and wildlife, but also could end up back in the water system requiring extensive treatment before going back into your home. Stage One of Wastewater Treatment Wastewater comes from many places, including rainwater. The water contains everything from feces and urine to sticks and other debris. It’s estimated that 35 percent of wastewater is made from solid objects. The first step is the removal of the objects. The water first goes through a coarse screen that traps all the larger debris. The coarse screen has openings about 10 millimeters in length. Once the larger pieces are removed, it goes through a pumping station and into a fine screen that removes even smaller debris. All the solids are taken from the treatment plant to the landfill. The last aspect of stage one is the placement of the water in settling tanks, where any residual scum floats to the top and sludge settles on the bottom. The scum is skimmed from the top and sludge removed from the bottom. This is treated separately from the wastewater. Stage Two of Wastewater Treatment The water is free from sludge and other solids, but it’s nowhere near clean. Other contaminants must be removed. The wastewater is mixed with oxygen and bacteria designed to eliminate the other polluting materials and the oxygen helps them work faster. Once the bacteria have broken down the materials, the water once again goes to settling tanks where the sludge settles and is removed. At this point, the water is 85 to 95 percent clear of contaminants and is almost ready to place back into the water system. Final Removal of Remaining Contaminants Wastewater treatment plants use several combinations of methods to remove the remaining contaminants in the water. The most common method is to run the water through a sand filtration system. There are two main types of sand filtration systems: surface and depth filters. With surface filters, contaminants become trapped within a permeable surface, but with depth filters, contaminants are trapped inside a porous material. Sand filters filter material through direct collision, surface charge attraction, diffusion, and small force attraction. Once the water goes through the filter, it’s treated with UV light or chlorine and discharged into the water system. Treating Sludge and Scum We talked earlier about the sludge and scum taken from the settlers and processed separately. The sludge is infused with bacteria and feeds on sludge for up to 20 days. The bacteria eat the organic matter and generate carbon dioxide and methane gas. This can be used to heat the treatment plant since it’s combustible, and much of the odor of the sludge is eliminated since there is little organic matter left. The sludge goes to a large centrifuge that spins quickly to separate the liquid from the solid. The liquid goes back through the treatment process and the remaining matter is used to fertilize fields. Advanced Methods of Treatment Wastewater also includes water from industrial and agricultural sites. These have contaminates not found in residential and commercial wastewater. For these types of wastewater, they go through additional purification steps. In biological nutrient removal, the water goes through three different tanks filled with varying amounts of oxygen. Each is filled with a bacterium that thrives in those conditions. The water goes through each tank where phosphorous is removed and ammonia breaks down to nitrate and nitrogen gas. The bioreactors house the water for about nine hours before it’s moved to a settling tank, and the sludge removed from the bottom. This method gets out contaminates the standard processes cannot. Small Community Wastewater Treatment As you can guess, a large scale wastewater treatment plant is expensive to maintain. There are regular inspections, upgrades, and maintenance, cost of employees and their certification. Most small communities cannot afford such an advanced system. Instead, they use wastewater lagoons. The lagoons are large reservoirs of water anywhere from five feet to over nine feet deep. Shallows lagoons are best for primary treatment. The water enters the reservoir where it sits for about six days and the sludge settles to the bottom. The problem with shallow lagoons is they are not effective in removing most of the contaminants. Larger lagoons can hold water for six months and up to a year, allowing for more sludge to be sent to the bottom. Most of these lagoons are only emptied once a year. If there is no river or lake to send the wastewater, some communities drain it onto land. The bacteria in the soil can naturally break down and remove any contaminants in the water. Improper Water Treatment The Environmental Protection Agency is in charge of making sure water treatment plants stay within compliance. If they empty untreated or improperly treated water into lakes and rivers, then it could have a devastating effect on plants and wildlife. Many small communities have a difficult time operating and maintaining water treatment systems, but less expensive and alternative methods are developed every day. Treated Water is Safe Water Many times, the water used in wastewater treatment makes its way back into the water system. You want to make sure the water that comes through your tap is clean and refreshing. It all starts when you flush your toilet or send water down your drain. If you want to learn more about wastewater and how it's treated, then please contact our experts today.

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