WATER NEWS
Flocell XFM 40 at Appleby trial site
Phosphorus reduction technology successfully trialled by United Utilities
A water-efficient, low-energy, phosphorus reduction technology from wastewater treatment specialist WCS Environmental Engineering (WCSEE) and sustainable filtration specialist Flocell has been trialled and purchased by United Utilities to help deliver tightened phosphorus removal consents at one of its wastewater treatment works.
Water companies in England and Wales are experiencing ongoing challenges in meeting new and expected phosphorus permits, some as low as 0.25mg/l. To help meet tightening permit limits, United Utilities has recently purchased one Flocell
XFM 40 modular filtration system unit comprising eight modular filters, capable of flows of up to 40l/s.
The decision follows a successful 12-week trial at one of the company’s rural wastewater treatment works (WwTW) in Appleby, Western England, which demonstrated the capability to meet phosphorus concentrations less than 0.25 mg/l when combined with chemical dosing. During the trial, the team undertook in-depth particle size distribution analysis and total suspended solids (TSS) analysis on over 1,000 individual samples.
Callum Grundy, principal innovation engineer at United Utilities, said, “Following the trial, we have established the Flocell system as one of a range of treatment options United Utilities have available for use on appropriate wastewater treatment works.
“We were looking for a filtration technology that could be deployed to help meet low phosphorus concentrations without the impacts of backwash returns. This was found in the Flocell XFM 40 system, which was trialled successfully over a 12-week period. The engagement and collaboration we had with WCSEE and Flocell were fundamental to the success of the trial. We are now looking forward to exploring its potential further and are really pleased to be supporting the local economy here in the Northwest, with the technology being manufactured in Wigan.”
Precedent setting
Flocell is a business division of Evolution Aqua Group that partnered with WCSEE to modify the Flocell XFM technology for wastewater treatment.
Originally developed for application in koi carp pond filtration, the Flocell XFM modular filtration system has been a proven technology in the aquatic sector for over two decades. Flocell is building on that expertise in collaboration with WCSEE to expand into the wastewater treatment market.
Engineer working with Flocell XFM filtration system 44 | May 2025 |
draintraderltd.com
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