WesTech SuperSettler™ typically consist of a steel tank fitted with inclined plates made from either carbon steel, 304 stainless steel, or smooth surfaced fiberglass.  These plates are usually slanted at an angle (typically 55 or 65°) and spaced 1–2.5 inches apart.  With chemical addition, the correct detention time, and inlet flow, inclined plates allow water to become clarified in a much smaller structural footprint than standard clarifying equipment.   By the use of parallel plates, a large settling area can be incorporated into a relatively small space.  Plate settlers often require only a quarter of the floor space of conventional clarifiers (EPA, 1987).  In buildings where ceiling height is limited, the use of plate settlers can become a major benefit.  Because of its overall smaller size, the unit can be manufactured elsewhere and delivered to the construction site for installation.

 After the flocculation process is complete, the water flows upward through the plates.  Floc particles settle onto the plates and slide into the sludge-holding area of the unit.  The sludge compartment typically has pitched sides, access hatches, and three sludge sampling valves.  Through the use of inclined plates, floc particles have a shorter distance over which to settle, and an effective laminar flow condition is easier to attain, thereby facilitating the settling process.

SuperSettler™ Advantages
• Uses 75% less foot print space to clarify the same amount of water, (vs. a basin clarifier)
• Uses 50% less foot print space vs. a basin with tube settler.

• Costs less to build. 
  1. Only a concrete pad is needed.
  2.  Field erection cost. (The tanks are delivered assembled)  
  3.  Fewer parts  to wear, replace, and adjust.

• Easy to maintain.
• Many different design options.
• No moving parts.
• Less of a chance of short circuiting, erratic flow patters caused by wind, freezing, and fluid temperature changes.
• Easy retrofitted to adapt to process changes.

• Ability to produce dense easily de-watered sludge underflows, typically four to six times
  conventional sedimentation or tube settler systems.

• Effluent quality unaffected by hydraulic shock loads.