Ceramic WWTP serves tile, sanitary ware, porcelain and refractory plants. Distinguished by closed-loop water reuse — most water returns to production.
Main feature is high suspended solids (5,000-30,000 mg/L). COD is low (200-800 mg/L) due to limited organics. Glaze line effluent may contain heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Zn) and colored pigments.
Arsistek ceramic solutions: lamella clarification, clay dewatering (filter press), closed-loop water return and heavy metal precipitation for glaze. Modern plants achieve 85-95% water recycle.
Ceramic Plant Effluent Sources
Five main streams:
- Body prep (slip/milling): High TSS, clay
- Forming (mold cleaning): Medium TSS, surfactants
- Glaze line: Low flow, high pigment and heavy metals
- Press/shop floor cleaning
- Water-cooled cutting/polishing: Fine silicates
Most streams (>80%) are reusable after physical treatment. Only glaze stream needs chemical treatment.
Lamella Clarifier
Lamella (inclined plate) clarifier is the most effective for ceramic effluent — 5-10x conventional surface area.
Polyelectrolyte flocculant aggregates clay into large flocs. Effluent TSS <50 mg/L returns directly to production.
Clay Sludge Dewatering
Lamella underflow is dewatered in filter press to 65-75% dryness.
Dewatered clay cake reuse: production body (5-15% blend), brick/ceramic feedstock, construction fill or cement industry.
Glaze Line Specialized Treatment
Glaze effluent is small in volume (<5%) but chemically most complex:
- Zn, Pb, Cd, Cr, Ba (colored pigments)
- Boron (glass former)
- Pigments and glass frit
Stream is segregated: settling → pH 9-10 → hydroxide precipitation → sulfide (stricter limits) → lamella → filter press.
Effluent joins main lamella stream. Sludge is hazardous waste — licensed disposal required.
Ceramic Sector Advantages
Ceramic Industry References
8 images coming soon — stay tuned for our reference projects and facility photos.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ceramic effluent is mainly inorganic (clay, silicate, oxide) with low COD (200-800 mg/L). Physico-chemical treatment suffices. Only floor wash has minor organic load.
Yes. Dewatered clay cake (60-75% dry) can be blended 5-15% into production body. Lower grade goes to brick, cement or construction fill.
Glaze has heavy metals and pigments. Mixing classifies all sludge as hazardous. Segregation keeps clay reusable, only glaze sludge is hazardous.
Lamella effluent (TSS <50 mg/L) returns to production tanks. ~5-15% freshwater makeup to compensate for evaporation, product moisture and sludge losses. Conductivity monitored — partial blowdown if salt builds up.
Belt filter (continuous, 50-60% dry), decanter centrifuge (compact, 55-65%), vacuum filter (small scale). Filter press gives highest dryness (65-75%).
Yes, both technically and economically. Closed-loop + small evaporator/crystallizer on glaze stream achieves 100% water recovery. ROI 5-10 years.