Continuous sand and grit removal for manure digesters, without shutdowns.

Similar to the Paques BIOCYCLONE^™ Hydrocyclones use centrifugal force, however they typically lack control of the high and low solids discharge flows. As a result, they can discharge thinner solids and higher reject flow rates. Paques BIOCYCLONE^™ uses proprietary internals plus a discharge valve to control separation, reduce grit accumulation, and prevent costly downtime.

Let’s connect for a short farm assessment to estimate set-up time and retrofit scope.

Sand and inert buildup reduces effective manure digester volume. Therefore, performance and gas output can suffer over time. This buildup also accelerates wear on pumps and downstream equipment, which usually increases unplanned maintenance.

Further, manure digester cleanouts are messy, highly disruptive and expensive. Manure digester sand challenges could add-up to a cost of $90,000–$150,000 for a cleanout and up to two weeks of downtime to complete, before considering ramp-up impacts and lost production. Even after primary separation, a meaningful share of sand can remain and still accumulate.

Both technologies rely on centrifugal separation. The difference with Paques BIOCYCLONE^™ is control.

Stop paying for sand cleanouts as “normal”.

• Map where grit enters, and where it settles
• Estimate set-up scope and installation approach for your layout Quantify cleanout avoidance, downtime reduction, and wear-related savings
• Compare Paques BIOCYCLONE^™ vs generic hydrocyclones and larger grit packages

Case Study, Paques field data
(installed Fall 2024, operating 12+ months):

• 15,000 milking cows
• 9M gal CSTR manure digesters, ~15-day HRT
• Feed at 8.1–8.5% TS
• Prior third-party de-sanding cost: $1.2M/year
• Installed as a sidestream “tank dialysis” unit
• Simple payback: <5 months (capital + installation, with minimal operating cost)

• Sand removal: ~1 ton/day
• Flow rate: 400 GPM
• Average feed: 8.1% TS, clarified output 7.9% TS
  Only a 0.2% TS drop. Grit out, organics stay.
• Waste grit: 40–60% TS, with minimal VS loss
• Estimated 95–98% removal of incoming inerts in the sidestream

Before vs after (pilot)

Paques BIOCYCLONE^™ is designed for fast retrofits and low operational burden

Paques BIOCYCLONE^™ is typically installed externally, on a sidestream “dialysis” loop. Therefore, you avoid rebuilding headworks or re-routing the full influent stream.

It’s built for operational simplicity:

• Low instrumentation and control complexity
• Minimal moving parts, fewer wear points
• Adjustable settings for seasonal and feed variability
• Fully skidded equipment, including controls

Paques has long been recognized for pioneering advanced environmental technologies and introducing innovative solutions to complex industrial challenges. Paques Biocyclone™ continues this tradition.

In working closely with customers across North America, we heard a clear need for an easy-to-implement, scalable, and reliable solution to address grit challenges in manure digesters.

Beyond animal waste bioenergy production applications, Paques BIOCYCLONE^™ is well suited for corn-to-ethanol plants, food waste digesters, and other anaerobic treatment systems where grit accumulation reduces efficiency and lifecycle value.