Smith & Loveless recently announced the launch of the CST Screening Systems Model FS In-Channel Horizontal Drum Fine Screen to North and South America.

Developed with affiliated company Smith & Loveless Australia Pty. Ltd. and proven in demanding municipal and industrial applications across Australasia, the fully horizontal fine-screening technology is now supported for Western Hemisphere projects, serving as a smart alternative to traditional band screens and inclined drum screens.

Unlike conventional inclined drum screens, the CST screen operates in a fully horizontal configuration with no submerged chains or sprockets in the wastewater channel. Operators can inspect and service the unit from the screen platform rather than accessing submerged wear parts, supporting a safer, simpler maintenance routine and less frequent service intervals than alternative screen technologies.

The semi-submerged drum is positioned in line with incoming wastewater. A plate at the back of the drum redirects flow radially through the mesh, supporting solids separation and self-cleaning action. Moderate-pressure spray nozzles wash the drum, while the horizontal configuration lowers operating depth. This reduces average screen velocities and can lower fluid head loss at peak flows while supporting effective solids capture and cleaning in higher-flow applications.

An internal hopper collects captured material and flumes it to an integral shaftless lifting and dewatering screw. The screw is designed to help prevent blockage by fibrous material while washing, dewatering and reducing the volume of collected solids. Where site conditions warrant, lifting and handling can be located outside the channel, providing additional washing and dewatering options.

Engineers can specify the drum in self-cleaning wedge wire for primary screening or perforated plate for fine pre-membrane bioreactor (MBR) screening. Wedge-wire apertures range from 0.25 to 10mm, while perforated-plate openings range from 2 to 10mm, enabling sizing for each installation’s flow and solids characteristics. Units are available in 304 or 316 stainless steel and can be installed in concrete or stainless-steel channels and tanks. Screen diameters span 600 to 2,500mm across the model range, with integrated conveyance and compaction available as part of the system configuration.

The technology is well suited for pre-MBR fine screening, where removal of hair, fiber, sharp particles and abrasive material helps protect downstream membranes from clogging and damage. Applications include municipal wastewater treatment plant and water resource recovery facility headworks for raw sewage screening and pre-MBR fine screening after the grit chamber, as well as industrial process streams in food and beverage, slaughterhouse, tannery, and pulp-and-paper operations.

Effective fine screening at the headworks helps protect downstream treatment and recycling processes while reducing the operational risks associated with poor solids separation, including downtime, cleanup costs, environmental risk and operator safety hazards.

CST Screening Systems are available now for municipal and industrial projects across North and South America. For technical data, model sizing and application support, visit smithandloveless.com.