Cloth Disc Filter for Advanced Sewage Treatment: Complete Guide to Turntable Filtration Technology 2026
The cloth disc filter — also known as the filter cloth turntable filter or cloth rotary disc filter — is one of the most advanced filtration technologies available for wastewater advanced treatment and water reuse. With over 700 sewage treatment plants worldwide adopting this technology, the cloth disc filter has earned the only globally recognized reclaimed water reuse certificate — the Title22 certificate. This guide covers the working principle, design specifications, key advantages over conventional sand filters, and application scenarios for cloth disc filtration technology. CHIWATEC provides integrated wastewater treatment solutions incorporating advanced filtration technologies for industrial and municipal applications.
Cloth Disc Filter: Working Principle and Overview
The filter cloth turntable filter uses a filter disc covered with fine filter cloth to replace the granular media (sand) used in traditional filters. The filter cloth has a small pore size capable of intercepting fine particles down to several micrometers (μm). The filter discs are mounted vertically on a hollow central tube, and wastewater flows through the cloth from outside to inside, with solids retained on the cloth surface.
The cloth disc filter is primarily used for:
- Cooling circulating water treatment
- Wastewater advanced treatment and reuse (as reclaimed water for cooling and circulation)
- Post-treatment after conventional activated sludge, extended aeration, SBR, oxidation ditch, trickling filter, and oxidation pond systems
- Suspended solids (SS) removal, phosphorus removal (with chemical addition), and heavy metal removal
Effluent Quality and Design Specifications
The cloth disc filter delivers excellent and stable effluent quality. When used for advanced treatment of sewage effluent from the activated sludge final settling tank, the design specifications are:
| Parameter | Design Value | Actual Performance |
| Influent SS | ≤30 mg/L | ≤30 mg/L |
| Effluent SS | ≤10 mg/L | Better than ≤10 mg/L |
| Filtration speed | — | 50% faster than sand filter |
| Head loss | ~0.3 m | vs >1.5 m for sand filter |
| Backwash water consumption | — | ~1/2 of sand filter |
| Footprint (10,000 tons/day) | ≤15 m² | Height: 3.3 m |
| Operating cost | <0.005 yuan/ton | Extremely low |
The filter cloth pores are finer than sand media, enabling the interception of micron-sized particles. Unlike conventional sand filters — which suffer from water quality deterioration due to penetration before backwashing and residual wash water after cleaning — the cloth disc filter maintains consistently high effluent quality. The filter design also provides excellent resistance to hydraulic and solids load fluctuations.
Cloth Disc Filter vs Conventional Sand Filter: Key Advantages
The cloth disc filter offers numerous advantages over conventional granular media filters in advanced sewage treatment applications:
| Feature | Cloth Disc Filter | Conventional Sand Filter |
| Effluent stability | Consistently high | Poor before/after backwash |
| SS load capacity | 1.5× sand filter | Baseline |
| Filtration speed | 50% faster | Baseline |
| Continuous filtration | Yes (during cleaning) | No (stops for backwash) |
| Head loss | ~0.3 m | >1.5 m (up to 5 m) |
| Backwash water use | ~1/2 of sand filter | Baseline |
| Installed power | 1/10–1/15 of sand filter | Baseline |
| Footprint (10,000 ton/day) | ≤15 m² | Much larger |
| Cleaning mechanism | Negative pressure suction (1% disc area at a time) | Air-water backwash (whole bed) |
| Operating cost | <0.005 yuan/ton | Higher |
| Filter media replacement | Easy — replace cloth only | Difficult — replace entire media bed |
| Installation | Integrated unit, quick setup | Complex, on-site construction |
Applications and Operating Cost Analysis
The cloth disc filter is suitable for a wide range of advanced sewage treatment applications. Its small footprint — a 10,000 ton/day plant requires only 15 m² of filter area at 3.3 m height — makes it ideal for both new installations and retrofit projects where space is limited.
Key application scenarios include:
- Advanced treatment after biological processes (activated sludge, MBBR, BAF, SBR, oxidation ditch, MBR)
- Cooling water circulation systems in industrial plants
- Reclaimed water reuse projects requiring Title22 certification
- Phosphorus removal when combined with chemical dosing
- Heavy metal removal from industrial wastewater
The integrated design of the cloth disc filter enables factory assembly and whole-unit shipment, significantly reducing design and construction periods. The system also recovers quickly from upstream process upsets — accidental pollution affects only the outside of the filter disc, with no impact on the internal mechanism. Accumulated sludge is rapidly removed through the dedicated mud discharge pipe.
For aeration system recommendations in wastewater treatment, see our blower control mode for sewage treatment guide. For general BAF technology, refer to our biological aerated filter guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a cloth disc filter in sewage treatment?
A cloth disc filter (also called filter cloth turntable filter or cloth rotary disc filter) is an advanced filtration device that uses fine filter cloth mounted on rotating discs to remove suspended solids from wastewater. It offers superior effluent quality, lower head loss, and smaller footprint compared with conventional sand filters.
What is the Title22 certificate for cloth disc filters?
The Title22 certificate is the only globally recognized certification for reclaimed water reuse equipment. The filter cloth turntable filter has earned this certification, confirming its ability to produce water quality suitable for unrestricted reuse applications.
How does a cloth disc filter compare with a sand filter?
Compared with sand filters, the cloth disc filter offers higher filtration speed (50% faster), lower head loss (0.3 m vs >1.5 m), smaller footprint (≤15 m² for 10,000 ton/day), lower installed power (1/10–1/15), easier media replacement, continuous filtration during cleaning, and operating costs below 0.005 yuan per ton of water.
What is the typical effluent quality from a cloth disc filter?
With influent SS ≤30 mg/L, the cloth disc filter consistently produces effluent SS ≤10 mg/L. The actual performance is often better than the design specification due to the fine pore size of the filter cloth.
How is the filter cloth cleaned in a disc filter?
The cloth disc filter uses a negative pressure suction cleaning system. A small pump creates suction through the filter disc, drawing water backward through the cloth to remove retained solids. Only about 1% of the total filter disc area is cleaned at a time. Cleaning occurs frequently (every 60–120 minutes) but lasts only about 1 minute per cycle, allowing continuous filtration without interruption.
Conclusion & Call to Action
The cloth disc filter represents a significant advancement in wastewater filtration technology, delivering superior effluent quality, lower energy consumption, smaller footprint, and simpler operation compared with conventional sand filters. With over 700 installations worldwide and the exclusive Title22 reuse certification, this technology is the preferred choice for advanced sewage treatment and water reuse projects.
For expert guidance on integrating cloth disc filter technology into your wastewater treatment system, contact CHIWATEC today. Email us at [email protected] or [email protected] for customized solutions.
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