Belt press
Alfa Laval ASH belt presses are ideal for efficient dewatering of sludge from municipal and industrial wastewater treatment as well as fresh water production at waterworks. There are several models and multiple configurations of the belt filter press that can be customized for your specific needs.
How does a belt filter press work?
A belt filter press is a proven solid–liquid separation technology widely used across industries and in municipal water treatment for the effective dewatering of sludge. Its working principle relies on filtration cloths and belts that guide the sludge through a system of rollers. As pressure increases along the roller sequence, water is steadily removed, producing a clarified filtrate and a consistent, high‑dry‑solids press cake.
The feed – typically sludge, effluent, or slurry – is often pretreated with flocculant to enhance separation performance. The resulting cake can also be repurposed in applications such as agricultural fertilizer, depending on local regulations and sludge quality.
Watch the working principle of the belt press dewatering process
Explore success stories showing how to unlock more value from existing sludge dewatering presses
Many plants extend the life of their equipment through targeted rebuilds and upgrades, significantly boosting performance and reliability, and reducing operating costs in their belt press dewatering processes — all at a fraction of the cost of new technology.
With Alfa Laval’s retrofit solutions, utilities and industries get more from their belt presses, gravity belt thickeners and other separation technologies, ensuring their equipment continues to deliver the capacity, cake dryness, and efficiency required to meet today's demands.
Related products for sludge thickening and dewatering installations
Whether you are looking for gravity belt thickening or belt press dewatering solutions before final disposal, our portfolio provides a reliable, efficient way to reduce sludge volume and improve operational performance across both municipal and industrial applications.
How can we support you?
With roots dating back to the early 20th century, we have decades of experience in developing, manufacturing, installing and servicing belt press technologies. Our experts are here to help you get the most from your equipment and keep your operations running reliably and efficiently.