Diatomaceous Earth (D.E.) for Wastewater Treatment
As one of the country’s leading suppliers of Diatomaceous Earth, OVIVO ALAR provides reliable access to filtration media engineered for industrial separation processes. Diatomaceous earth wastewater treatment plays a critical role in removing fine suspended solids from process water through mechanical filtration. In wastewater systems, ALAR diatomaceous earth creates a porous filtration layer capable of producing clear effluent while maintaining stable flow rates.
What is Diatomaceous Earth?
Diatomaceous Earth is a naturally occurring mineral composed of the fossilized skeletal remains of microscopic aquatic organisms known as diatoms. Its rigid, honeycomb structure creates a high surface area with interconnected pores that make it highly effective for filtration. OVIVO ALAR supplies filtration grade diatomaceous earth engineered for industrial filtration applications; this material is not intended for use as fillers, animal feed, pool filtration, or consumer uses.
OVIVO ALAR’s filter grade diatomaceous earth is most commonly used as a precoat material on rotary vacuum drum filters, including the Auto-Vac®, as well as plate and frame filter presses such as the Micro-Klean™.
ALAR Diatomaceous Earth Options
OVIVO ALAR supplies filtration-grade diatomaceous earth sourced directly from mills and stocked nationwide to support consistent availability. Multiple grades are offered to balance filtrate clarity and throughput based on system requirements.
Available grades targeted to achieve:
- maximum clarity applications
- fine solids control
- higher flow rate operations
Finer grades improve effluent quality while reducing flow rates. Coarser grades support higher throughput with reduced clarity. OVIVO ALAR works closely with our customers to identify the optimal filter grade diatomaceous earth based on filtrate goals, flow requirements, and discharge limits for Total Suspended Solids, Oil and Grease (FOG), and Heavy Metal pollutants.
Shipments are available from a single pallet through truckload quantities, packaged in 25 lb bags, 50lb bags, or 1000lb super sacks.
How Diatomaceous Earth Is Used for Wastewater
Once the chemical treatment separation takes place, the Diatomaceous Earth is used as a filtration aid to remove fine precipitates and flocs formed during treatment. Its structure creates a stable filtration layer that captures contaminants while allowing treated water to pass through, improving the effluent clarity.
1. Pre-Coating
Pre-coating is the initial step where a thin, uniform layer of diatomaceous earth filter aid is applied to the filter surface before wastewater enters the system. In rotary vacuum drum filters, this precoat forms the primary filtration media.
The precoat protects the filtration equipment, prevents premature blinding, and establishes a consistent pore structure. This step is essential for achieving predictable filtration performance and maintaining filter efficiency throughout the run cycle.
2. Filtration
Once precoated, wastewater flows through the diatomaceous earth layer. Suspended solids, fine particulates, oil-bound solids, and other contaminants are physically separated from the filtrate.
As filtration continues, captured solids accumulate on the surface of the filter media while effluent passes through. This mechanical separation process supports high clarity results without altering water chemistry.
Benefits of Diatomaceous Earth for Wastewater Treatment
Diatomaceous earth provides several performance advantages when used as a filter aid in wastewater systems.
Fine Particle Removal
The microscopic structure of diatomaceous earth allows for the removal of extremely fine particles, with some grades capable of capturing particles down to sub-micron levels. This performance often exceeds traditional granular filtration media.
Enhanced Dewatering and Sludge Management
In industrial wastewater systems, diatomaceous earth improves dewatering efficiency, creating a drier sludge cake, facilitating easier handling and reduced disposal costs.
High Flow Rates and Operational Efficiency
Diatomaceous earth filter aid supports longer filtration cycles, stable flow rates, and reduced downtime for cleaning or media replacement.
Filtration of Raw or Chemically Treated Wastewater
Because diatomaceous earth is an inert mineral, it achieves separation through physical capture. It can be used on raw wastewater streams or downstream of chemical pretreatment without interfering with system chemistry or producing secondary byproducts.
Diatomaceous Earth Wastewater Treatment Applications
Following a chemical pre-treatment, Diatomaceous earth filter aid is used across a wide range of industrial wastewater environments where fine solids removal and effluent clarity are critical:
- Concrete and Aggregate Processing: Capture cement fines and suspended solids from wash water prior to reuse or discharge.
- Metal Finishing and Surface Treatment: Removal of metal hydroxides and particulate matter.
- Food and Beverage Processing: Remove organic solids, fats, and residual particulates from process wastewater.
- Chemical Manufacturing: Filter fine byproducts and reaction residues from complex wastewater streams.
- Oil and Gas Operations: Clarify wastewater containing oil-bound solids and fine particulates.
- General Industrial Manufacturing: Provide consistent filtration performance in facilities with variable wastewater composition and solids loading.
Frequently Asked Questions About Diatomaceous Earth for Wastewater Treatment
Diatomaceous earth filter aid creates a permeable media layer on a filter surface. As wastewater passes through, fine solids are mechanically trapped on the surface of the media while effluent water flows through the filter.
Yes. Diatomaceous earth can be used on raw wastewater streams or after chemical pretreatment. Because it is an inert material, it does not chemically react with coagulants, flocculants, or pH adjustment chemicals introduced during pretreatment.
Selecting the proper grade of Diatomaceous Earth depends on target effluent clarity, flow rate requirements, and discharge limits for contaminants, such as suspended solids, oil and grease, metals, etc. OVIVO ALAR provides technical support to match the appropriate filter grade with your application. Get in touch with our team if you need assistance!
