Thinking ahead
Rotaria KWA in an SBR tank: oval stainless steel float with decanting chamber, rigid stainless steel outlet pipe with swivel joint to the tank wall, a mixer alongside.

90 to 800 m³/h, all stainless steel

Clear water out.No drive in the tank.Rotaria KWA: floating decanter for SBR plants

The Rotaria KWA decants clear supernatant from below the water surface of your SBR tank, with no drive in or on the tank. All stainless steel, designed to the German DWA‑M 210 guideline, with two self-acting flaps that stay sealed while the tank is aerated and mixed.

Get the tender specificationRequest a sizing

  • 90 to 800m³/h decant rate
  • 0drives in the tank
  • 316Tiall stainless steel (1.4571)
  • DWA‑M 210design basis
  • -20 °Cfrost-proof

How the SBR decanter works

  1. Fill and aerate

    The float rises with the water level. The flaps of the decanting chamber are closed, so no activated sludge gets in.

  2. Settle

    The sludge settles and a clear water zone forms above it. The KWA stays closed.

  3. Decant

    The valve in the outlet chamber opens or the decant pump starts. The pressure difference opens both flaps and clear water flows from below the surface through the inlet slot into the chamber and out through the outlet pipe.

  4. Follow the level

    The float keeps the chamber at a constant depth below the surface and goes down with the water level. When the valve closes, the flaps drop shut under their own weight.

Installation drawing of the KWA in an SBR tank: section on the left with floating decanter head and inclined outlet pipe to the tank wall, plan view on the right with oval float.
Installation example: section and plan view

Technical data

Design
Typefloating decanter with decanting chamber and two weighted closing flaps
Drive in/on the tanknone
Controlmotorised valve in the outlet chamber or decant pump
Design basisGerman DWA-M 210 guideline for SBR plants
Frost protectiondown to -20 °C (support structure below the bottom water level)
Outlet piperigid stainless steel pipe with swivel bearings at the tank wall
Fault protectionfloor stand limits the lowest position
Commissioningfilled and vented via ball valves while the tank is filled
Float, decanting chamber, outlet pipe, supportsstainless steel 1.4571 / AISI 316Ti (alternatively 1.4404 / 316L)
SealsEPDM
Floatwelded stainless steel
Supplied so far
Decant rate90, 100, 105, 387 m³/h (25 to 108 l/s)
OutletDN 100 to DN 300
Tank depth5 to 6 m
Water level variationapprox. 1.5 to 1.9 m

Options

  • Holder for an MLSS/TSS probe on the float, removable from the tank edge, adjustable immersion depth
  • Pressure sensor with protective tube
  • Guide rails
  • Flexible hose connection

Sizes

We build the Rotaria KWA for decant rates from 90 to 800 m³/h and size it precisely to your tank.

Dimensions, example 387 m³/h

Float (L × H)2,600 × 400 mm
Decanting chamber, length1,512 mm
Inlet slot (L × H)1,300 × 160 mm
Top of inlet slot158 mm below underside of float
Overall height of decanter head1,111 mm
OutletØ 323.9 mm (DN 300)
Dimension drawing of the 387 m³/h decanter head: float 2600 mm long and 400 mm high, decanting chamber 1512 mm with inlet slot 1300 by 160 mm, outlet diameter 323.9 mm, overall height 1111 mm.
Decanter head 387 m³/h, dimensions in mm

Where the KWA fits and where it does not

Suitable for

  • Municipal and industrial SBR plants
  • Retrofitting existing SBR tanks
  • Tanks from about 4 m deep
  • Water level variation up to approx. 1.9 m
  • Decant rates from 90 to 800 m³/h
  • Outdoor installation down to -20 °C

Not suitable or to be checked

  • Tanks without a motorised valve or decant pump for control
  • Water level variation above approx. 1.9 m
  • Very shallow tanks under about 4 m
  • Decant rates above 800 m³/h
  • Tanks with a very thick scum layer

References

Over 100 Rotaria KWA decanters built.

In municipal and industrial SBR plants, from 90 to 800 m³/h. Reference list on request.

Tender specification

Copy the text straight into your bill of quantities or specification. Fill in the dotted fields for your project. We are happy to help with the sizing.

Short description: Floating decanter for SBR tanks, stainless steel, no drive

Supply and install, ready for operation, a floating decanter for an SBR tank, designed in accordance with the German DWA-M 210 guideline.

All parts in stainless steel 1.4571 (AISI 316Ti), alternatively 1.4404 (AISI 316L). Seals in EPDM.

Welded stainless steel float keeping the decanting chamber at a constant depth below the water surface. Decanting chamber with inlet slot and two weighted closing flaps: the flaps open passively by pressure difference during decanting and close under their own weight. Sealed during aeration and mixing, no activated sludge enters the decanting chamber.

No drive in or on the tank. Decanting controlled by others via a motorised valve in the outlet chamber or via the decant pump.

Rigid stainless steel outlet pipe with swivel bearings at the tank wall. Floor stand limiting the lowest position in the event of a fault. Support structure below the bottom water level, frost-proof down to -20 °C. Filling and venting device with ball valves.

Hydraulic data:
Decant rate: ...... m³/h
Outlet pipe: DN ......
Water level variation (top to bottom water level): ...... m
Tank depth: ...... m

Options (to be specified as provisional items if required):
- Holder for MLSS/TSS probe on the float, removable from the tank edge, adjustable immersion depth
- Pressure sensor with protective tube
- Guide rails
- Flexible hose connection

Make: Rotaria KWA or approved equal
Make offered: ......
Type: ......

Download as text (.txt)Download as PDFRequest GAEB or Word file

Downloads

SBR decanter FAQ

How does a floating decanter work?

A stainless steel float carries the decanting chamber and keeps it at a constant depth below the water surface. When the valve in the outlet chamber opens or the decant pump starts, the pressure difference opens both closing flaps. Clear water flows from below the surface into the chamber and out through the outlet pipe, while the float goes down with the water level.

Does the decanter need a motor or power in the tank?

No. There is no motor, no actuator and no electrical equipment in or on the tank. Decanting is controlled by a motorised valve in the outlet chamber or by the decant pump.

How does the KWA keep activated sludge out of the effluent?

During aeration and mixing the two weighted closing flaps are shut and sealed, so no activated sludge collects in the decanting chamber. The flaps only open when the pressure difference builds up during decanting and close again under their own weight.

What decant rates are available?

We have supplied decanters for 90, 100, 105 and 387 m³/h with outlets from DN 100 to DN 300. Overall we build from 90 to 800 m³/h. We size the right unit for your plant.

Which design standard does the decanter follow?

The German DWA-M 210 guideline for activated sludge plants with sequencing batch operation (SBR).

What material is the decanter made of?

All stainless steel 1.4571 (AISI 316Ti), or 1.4404 (AISI 316L) on request. Seals are EPDM.

Is the decanter frost-proof?

Yes, down to -20 °C. The support structure sits below the bottom water level.

What happens if the tank drains in a fault?

A floor stand limits the lowest position. The float rests on it, and the decanting chamber and outlet pipe are protected from damage.

How is the decanter commissioned?

The system is always full of water. During commissioning it is filled and vented via ball valves while the tank is being filled.

Can the KWA be retrofitted into an existing SBR tank?

Yes. Rotaria also retrofits the KWA into existing SBR tanks.

Is there a ready-made tender specification?

Yes. Copy the full text from this page or download it as a file. Make: “Rotaria KWA or approved equal”.

Images have been optimised for better presentation.

Sizing for your SBR plant

Send us your tank dimensions, water levels and decant volume. We size the KWA and send you the tender specification and dimension drawing for your project.

Worldwide delivery. Advice in German and English.

Request a sizing+49 38296 748 0