Headworks Screening Solutions: An Engineer’s Guide to Duperon® Technologies

Meeting Modern Headworks Challenges

Municipal and industrial wastewater plants are under growing pressure from aging infrastructure, climate-driven storm surges, wipes and rags, and variable debris loads. These conditions strain headworks systems and increase operational costs. For engineers, the question isn’t what is a bar screen? — it’s which screening solution best fits my site’s flow conditions, debris profile, and lifecycle budget?

Duperon® has built its reputation on simple, durable, operator-friendly equipment. Their portfolio of headworks screening solutions is designed to address today’s challenges with technologies that adapt in real time, reduce maintenance, and extend the life of existing assets.

FlexRake IQ® Platform: Adaptive Bar Screening

The FlexRake IQ® brings next-generation adaptability to the proven FlexRake® design. Built with Smart LogIQ™ controls, it automatically adjusts speed to changing flow and debris conditions — whether during first flush events, grit surges, or daily variability.

• 4× debris removal capacity compared to earlier designs.
• Responsive Resiliency™: scrapers re-engage quickly after passing large debris, minimizing blinding and bypass risk.
• Durability: re-engineered FlexLink™ and scraper geometry extend product life under high-speed conditions.

For plants facing diverse debris loads, FlexRake IQ® offers a reliable way to increase efficiency without overbuilding infrastructure.

FlexRake IQ²®: Maximum Resiliency for Peak Flow Events

When hydraulic capacity is the primary concern, FlexRake IQ²® adds a new dimension: the Smart Bar Screen™.

• Operates at the finest bar opening during normal flows for maximum capture.
• Automatically transitions to larger openings under peak events, increasing hydraulic capacity by up to 40%.
• Continuous cleaning in both open and closed positions maintains flow without process interruption.

This adaptability eliminates the need to compromise between screening efficiency and peak flow resilience, making FlexRake IQ²® ideal for sites with seasonal surges, stormwater inflow, or rapid I&I spikes.

FlexRake® Only (FRO IQ): Retrofit to Extend Screen Lifespan

For facilities with existing FlexRake® installations, the FRO IQ upgrade kit delivers the benefits of the IQ platform without replacing the entire screen.

• Installs directly onto existing racks — no civil construction.
• Provides 4× debris removal and automated responsiveness to changing debris/flow.
• Saves about 40% compared to full replacement.

This retrofit path allows utilities to extend the life of installed assets while gaining modern capabilities — a compelling option for budget-conscious municipalities. (For a real-world example, see Duperon’s Chelford case study. Vision Equipment’s was the sales rep for the Duperon products sold to City of Chelford MUD in this case study.)

Dual Auger System: Eliminating Pump Ragging

Flushable wipes and rags are a persistent challenge in pump stations and wet wells. The Dual Auger System was engineered to remove — not grind — these materials, protecting pumps and downstream equipment.

• Captures, conveys, compacts, and stores rags and wipes in one system.
• Reduces truck rolls, pump repairs, and overflow risks.
• Mitigates microplastic pollution by removing synthetic fibers before they fragment.

For utilities plagued by ragging incidents, the Dual Auger provides a long-term, low-maintenance solution.

Drum Screens & Pilot Program: Fine Screening for Sensitive Processes

When fine screening is required — for example, to protect membrane bioreactors (MBRs) or industrial treatment processes — the Duperon Drum Screen provides robust solids capture in high-flow, high-solids environments.

What sets it apart is the Pilot Program:

• A 2–6 week onsite trial with a portable, skid-mounted Drum Screen.
• Includes setup, operational training, sampling, and a final test report.
• Gives engineers data on debris type and volume at their site, reducing risk in capital planning.

This “try before you buy” approach reflects Duperon’s customer-first philosophy, ensuring the right solution before long-term investment.

Solids Handling: Conveyors, Compactors, and Washers

Duperon also offers complementary solids handling equipment — washer-compactors, conveyors, and related systems. These reduce hauling costs, improve disposal efficiency, and keep screenings management aligned with the same principles of simplicity and durability that define the screening line.

Lifecycle Support: The Duperon Partnership

Beyond equipment, Duperon is known for lifecycle partnership:

• Assistance with design and sizing.
• Onsite installation and training support.
• Around-the-clock service availability.
• Equipment designed for decades of operation, with long maintenance intervals and low O&M requirements.

For engineers, this means confidence not just in the equipment, but in the long-term relationship that supports it.

Choosing the Right Screening Technology for Your Plant

No two plants face the same mix of flows, debris, and budget constraints. That’s why Duperon’s portfolio spans adaptive bar screens (IQ, IQ²), retrofits (FRO IQ), pump protection (Dual Auger), and fine screening (Drum Screens). Each is designed to solve a specific problem, reduce lifecycle costs, and deliver operator-friendly reliability.

👉 Whether your priority is extending existing assets, handling peak flows, eliminating wipes, or protecting sensitive downstream processes, Duperon offers proven solutions to meet the challenge.