Pressure-Geotube® Dewatering Test

The Pressure-Geotube® Dewatering Test (P-GTD) is a critical step in evaluating and optimizing Geotube® dewatering performance.

Using a 55-gallon sample of your project’s actual slurry, the Pressure-Geotube® Dewatering test replicates full-scale operational conditions at your site, including pressure, flow rate, and polymer dosing, to accurately predict real-world performance. By simulating actual site conditions, the P-GDT establishes the baseline dosing rates, polymer requirements, and Geotube® sizing needed to maximize dewatering efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure regulatory compliance.

Starting with the chemical program established by the Rapid Dewatering Test (RDT), the P-DGT applies operational pressures and simulates the expected pumping rate of your project’s slurry during actual dewatering.

Through the P-GDT, baseline measurements can be established as to the proper dosing rates for your chemical conditioning program. Additionally, baseline data is collected which will be used in the Geotube® Estimators to predict the amount of polymer you will need; the proper size, weave and positioning of the Geotube® containers to be used in your project; and projections of the overall efficiency of your chemical program.

Purpose of the Pressure-Geotube® Dewatering Test

The Pressure-Geotube® Dewatering Test assesses how efficiently the Geotube containers separate water from solids under pressure. Unlike small-scale or hanging bag tests, P-GDT provides actionable engineering data to guide system design and operational planning. Our P-GDT:

  • Visualizes the dewatering process

  • Simulates physical force interaction between permeability of filter fabric selection and polymer performance under full-scale application pressure

  • Confirms chemical program (polymer) dosage is representative of full-scale application

  • Creates samples of filtrate and filter cake

  • Confirms application mass-balance of Geotube® filtration area required for the project

You can learn more about the steps involved in the P-GDT test by downloading our P-GDT brochure.

P-GDT vs Hanging Bag Tests

The application of Geotube® engineered textiles for water-solids separation has rapidly expanded to various types of mineral slurry and sludge (non-mineral applications). Testing a Geotube® dewatering application via a hanging-bag test is suitable for slurry or sludge that dewatered readily without chemical conditioning.

While a hanging-bag test can provide a basic understanding of dewatering potential, it lacks the precision needed for complex or chemically conditioned slurries.

P-GDT offers a superior approach of projects that:

  • Require polymer-assisted dewatering for fine or colloidal particles
  • Operate under high flow or pressure conditions
  • Demand precise mass balance data for Geotube® system design
  • Must comply with strict environmental or operational standards

The result is a data-backed Geotube® dewatering strategy that minimizes trial and error during deployment. Read more from our experts about why the P-GDT test is a better choice over traditional hanging-bag dewatering tests.

Applications for Geotube® Dewatering

The P-GDT can be applied to a wide range of industries and site conditions, including:

  • Municipal and industrial wastewater lagoons
  • Dredging and sediment removal projects
  • Mining and mineral processing operations
  • Power plant and cooling water treatment basins
  • Emergency response or temporary dewatering solutions

Smartfeed™ Steps to Project Success

1. Customer Application

Sludge or Slurry Dewatering Project that Requires Chemical Conditioning

2. RDT Testing

Confirms Chemical Selection Program for Geotube® Application

3. P-GDT Testing

Simulation of Full-Scale Geotube® Application

4. Geotube® Estimators

Provide Project Parameters Resulting from RDT / P-GDT Testing

5. SmartFeed™ And Geotube®

SmartFeed™ System Maintains Parameters Throughout Project; Geotube® ISO-Compliant Textile Manufactured to Test Specs

6. Project Success

Full Reporting of Individual Geotube® Container Performance Provides Risk Management Benefits

FAQs About GeoTube® Dewatering

Geotube® dewatering uses specialized engineered textiles to separate water from slurry or sludge, leaving behind a solid filter cake. It’s used for wastewater treatment, dredging, and industrial applications.

P-GDT replicates full-scale operational conditions, helping determine accurate polymer dosing, Geotube® sizing, and performance expectations before field deployment.

By collecting performance data upfront, it minimizes costly trial-and-error, ensures proper polymer selection, and improves dewatering rates.

P-GDT is effective for municipal sludge, dredged sediments, mining tailings, industrial wastewater, and other fine-grained slurries that require chemical conditioning.

It enables precise control over filtrate quality and solids capture, helping facilities meet local and federal discharge standards.

Connect with Our Pressure-Geotube® Dewatering Test Experts

As a leading manufacturer of supporting technologies for Geotube®, our application specialists are ready to help you with your slurry and sludge dewatering needs. Contact us to schedule a P-GDT for your site and receive a data-driven plan for polymer selection, system sizing, and performance optimization.

Questions?
Contact James E. Meagher
207-741-2955
207-751-4416 (cell)
860-767-8256 x. 136 (office)
[email protected]