CLAV technology is an indirect thermal low-speed drying system designed for the continuous thermal dewatering of wet sludge. Its purpose is to reduce the final mass sent to landfill by minimising —and when necessary eliminating— leachate generation, thereby cutting residue disposal costs.
The system was originally developed for physico-chemical, biological and mixed wastewater treatment sludge, with initial installations in textile, paper, chemical, metallurgical, food, pharmaceutical, tannery, slaughterhouse, waste recovery and municipal WWTP facilities. Over time, the versatility of the system has been proven: it can dry any material susceptible to dewatering, from wet sludge to compact paste, which after treatment becomes gravel or powder.
The CLAV thermal dryer reduces initial moisture from 90–65% to below 25%, reaching 2–3% when required by the process. The pressure vessel is certified by the Industrial Safety authorities and calculated according to the AD-MERKBLATTER code for carbon steel St37.2. CAISA is a certified pressure equipment manufacturer; welding procedures and welders are equally certified.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|
| Initial moisture | 90–65% |
| Final moisture | < 25% (down to 2–3%) |
| Product temperature | 95–105°C |
| Thermal medium | Steam, thermal oil or superheated water |
| Medium temperature | Max. 170°C |
| Rotation speed | ~1 r.p.m. |
| Standard | AD-MERKBLATTER, St37.2 |
Transport System
The thermal medium —pressurised steam, thermal oil or superheated water— never contacts the product being dried. The medium temperature does not exceed 170°C, keeping the product at 95–105°C. This low operating temperature eliminates atmospheric emissions compared to higher-temperature processes and maximises the use of the medium’s latent enthalpy, resulting in a bounded and predictable energy consumption.
Inside the dryer, a conveyor specially designed for pasty-product transport advances the material through the vessel. The conveyor is dimensioned to guarantee correct product flow as moisture content and rheological properties change along the length of the dryer. The thermal medium circulates through the interior of the transport elements, turning their surfaces into heat-exchange zones; the outer casing also acts as a heat-transfer surface. Low-speed motors (~1 r.p.m., high torque) provide longer thermal exchange time, effective transport force, and low electrical consumption.
A vapour extraction unit captures the moisture vapours generated during dewatering and routes them to a carbon filter or scrubber before atmospheric release, ensuring minimal environmental impact in the dryer area. The entire system is managed by an electrical control cabinet located adjacent to the dryer.


Applications
CAISA has installed CLAV systems across multiple industrial sectors:
- Wastewater treatment: physico-chemical, biological and mixed WWTP sludge; municipal treatment plants
- Textile and paper industry: process sludge with high organic load
- Chemical and pharmaceutical: pasty residues requiring controlled low-temperature treatment
- Food industry: sludge from slaughterhouses, canneries and processing plants
- Waste management: waste recovery facilities, leachate treatment plants
Standards and Certifications
CLAV drying systems manufactured by CAISA comply with the most demanding standards:
- AD-MERKBLATTER: German pressure equipment standard used for vessel design (carbon steel St37.2)
- Certified manufacturer: CAISA holds certification as a Pressure Equipment manufacturer
- Welding procedures: all welding procedures and welders are duly certified