Breakthrough Technology
What Makes Gryphon Different
Gryphon Environmental's proven, patented process is capable of removing more water from sludge than any other system. How? By combining the force of vacuum pressure with heat.
First, we harness vacuum pressure to create enormous force on the sludge. Vacuum force drawn from below pulls on the pliable membrane above the sludge container, pressing water through the filter.
Second, the applied vacuum creates a vacuum chamber, helping interstitial water to evaporate at lower temperatures.
Third, heat is added to the sludge in the form of radiant and/or microwave heat to bring the effluent above the vaporization point (146 degrees F at 23"Hg).
Fourth, compressed heated air is introduced. The compressed, heated air expands to the vacuum conditions and assists in heating and vaporization of the sludge, and removal of water vapor. The result is reduction or elimination of both latent and interstitial water from the effluent.
Gryphon Environmental is currently working in combination with the Institute for Combustion Sciences and Environmental Technologies (ICSET) to determine which dried wastes can be sold as a value-added coal substitute or used for onsite power generation. This offers a promising means of using waste as fuel rather than the current costly and hazardous methods of disposal in landfills.
The water yield resulting from Gryphon Environmental processing can be phased and treated with polymers to polish and remove impurities. To date, Gryphon Environmental has demonstrated that we can utilize 40-60 micron filtration. Current industrial practices utilize 120-160. The significance of this breakthrough is that we have improved capture rates of solid particles, thus reducing the particles that are released into the environment. Research at Western Kentucky University's WATERS Laboratory have analyzed filtrates from the Gryphon system in both MSD and Paper effluents and have determined that capture rates range from 96-99%, well above the current industry standard of excellence (92%).
Why Sludge Matters
With landfills reaching capacity, sludge management has become a major concern for businesses and municipalities worldwide. Currently, the available technology can dewater the sludge to 15% to 35% dry content (85% to 65% water remains). The more water that remains in the sludge, the more expensive it is to transport and landfill or incinerate. Rising fuel costs add to the problem.
Dumping sludge in landfills is more than just a financial problem. It is also harmful to the environment. Improperly disposed of sludge can contaminate groundwater, rivers, streams and oceans with dangerous mercury and other VOCs. Removing water from sludge not only makes it less expensive to transport, it turns sludge into a valuable commodity that can be used for fuel, building materials, fertilizer and more. This keeps sludge out of landfills, and away from our precious water.
Who can use Gryphon
Municipal Sewage Departments, Paper manufacturers, food processing plants, coal processing sites, power plants, dairy complexes, poultry farms and more.