Before sludge enters the press it is chemically conditioned for dewatering with an emulsion polymer flocculant that helps form stronger flocs. After chemical conditioning, a transfer pump drops the sludge onto a preliminary Polyester Dewatering Belt where free water molecules separate by gravity and fall into a collection trough.

As sludge is conveyed along the Polyester Dewatering Belt , ploughs roll it around to help water drain out. Before dropping down to the next stage, guide plates position the sludge towards the middle of the Polyester Dewatering Belt and ensure nothing is squeezed out the side of the filter. Before sludge is fed into a pressing zone, a second gravity thickener repeats the process. 

Upon entering the pressing zone, sludge is sandwiched and squeezed between two Polyester Dewatering Belt filters which slowly convey over and under rollers that force excess water out of the sludge and through the filter mesh.

Finally, the pressed sludge is scraped off the Polyester Dewatering Belt  and collected in a bin. All filtrate and wash water is captured and transferred back to the front of the wastewater system for re-processing.