Traveling Raw Water Intake Screens

Traveling Water Screen Overview

Traveling water screens are one of the most cost-effective means for fine screening of raw water. They are used in all types of applications where continuous raw water intake screening is required and protection of downstream equipment is critical.

Debris in the flow can overwhelm and damage rotating screens or cause serious condenser issues. Leaves, trash, marine organisms, and aquatic vegetation can blind various systems. Review of the source water is critical to the proper selection of the flow pattern, screen panel (basket or tray) design, mesh apertures, rotation speeds, and materials of construction.

WTR® Traveling Water Screens are designed to automatically and reliably filter incoming water and discharge recovered debris or marine life into the appropriate handling trough. Screens can be designed to handle typical water-borne debris as well as unusual grasses, seaweed, jellyfish and many different types of debris.The screens are available in various flow patterns including thru flow (TF), dual flow conversion (DFC), dual flow (DF), and center flow (CF).

The dual or center flow pattern is recommended to eliminate debris carry-over. Filtration is through two faces simultaneously, with total separation of influent from effluent. Screens can be provided as a dual flow for new civil works or as a dual flow conversion to convert existing thru flow sites to a dual flow pattern, typically with no civil modifications. Duty types include standard debris handling, jellyfish handling, or fish screens.

All flow patterns are available as fish recovery and return to meet the EPA’s 316(b) environmental requirements. Specialized water tight, hydraulically stabilized fish recovery buckets allow for the quick recovery of juvenile marine life. Organisms are elevated to the head section where gentle sluice sprays aid in discharging them into a return trough for reinsertion to their indigenous environment. After the fish sprays, the screen continues rotation past higher pressure debris sprays, washing the captured screenings into a separate debris trough for discharge or further disposal.

WTR Engineering, LLC, is a wholly owned subsidiary of WesTech Engineering, as of April 1, 2017. WTR designs and supplies mechanical water filtration equipment, such as raw water and wastewater screening for large flows, for both the municipal and industrial markets, including the power industry.

Benefits and Features

  • Screens built to site specifics for flow, mesh aperture, panel style, debris, or marine handling
  • Materials of carbon steel or stainless steel (304L, 316L, Duplex or other)
  • Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) motors incorporate multiple speeds
  • Shaft-mounted drive reduces maintenance and eliminates sprockets, chains, and guards
  • Oversized carrier chain rollers, pins, and bushings are non-lubricated and extend chain life
  • Full rim sprockets drive the carrier chain via the sidebars extending chain life
  • Dual spray headers provide positive overlapping coverage and reduce required pressure
  • Reduced height head section allows for easy internal viewing and routine maintenance
  • Chain tensioning from deck level gives instant access for adjustment
  • Framed freestanding design eliminates costly civil requirements
  • Roll around boot section delivers positive tracking while eliminating submerged sprockets
  • Dual flow, dual flow conversion, or thru flow patterns
  • Fish recovery and return to meet 316(b) for all flow patterns
  • Anti-friction take up bearings for continuous duty
  • Panel-to-panel and frame-to-panel seals for fine mesh applications
  • Manual or automatic self-flushing debris headers
  • Replaceable track and wear bars for future overhauling
  • Emergency bypass doors on dual flow for debris surges
  • Control systems with ultrasonic or radar differential control
  • HMI touchscreen control or DCS monitoring
  • Complete elimination of carry over with dual flow pattern
  • Adaptable to existing sites
  • Variable speeds for dynamic site conditions
  • No drive sprockets, driven sprockets, or drive chains to maintain
  • Reduced horsepower from oversized chain components
  • Extended chain life for continuous (24/7/365) operation
  • High impact spray nozzles for debris removal
  • Chain tensioning and drive gear accessible from deck level
  • No complex tracks to embed for framed design
  • No foot sprockets to maintain deep below the surface
  • Positive tracking roll around boot is virtually jam free
  • Power plant raw water (fossil and nuclear)
  • Industrial raw water (petrochemical plants, pulp and paper, steel mills, etc.)
  • Pumping stations
  • Irrigation for water distribution
  • Potable water intakes
  • Water parks

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