Vision Equipment Blog
Smarter Headworks Screening with Duperon FlexRake IQ® Series
Overview
When Wastewater Screening Gets Smarter:
Headworks screening has entered a new era. With the Duperon® FlexRake IQ® and FlexRake IQ2®, operators gain more than reliability—they gain automation, adaptability, and resilience built for Texas municipal utilities and wastewater treatment plants. From stormwater surges to everyday flow, these intelligent bar screens respond in real time to changing conditions, keeping systems clear, efficient, and protected.
Watch to see the FlexRake IQ® in action.
Why Headworks Screening Needs to Evolve
While Duperon’s FPFS bar screens are known for their reliability and low maintenance, facilities managing high variability in flow—such as during first flushes or storm surges—needed a more intelligent system that could:
- React instantly to changes in headloss and hydraulic conditions
- Prevent system bypass or damage from grit, rags, or debris
- Minimize headloss without compromising fine screening
- Maintain operations without constant operator intervention
Smarter Wastewater Process Technology: FlexRake IQ® and FlexRake IQ2®
The next-generation FlexRake® platforms are engineered for real-time response and maximum resiliency:
🧠 Smart Automation
- Built-in logic adjusts screen speed and cleaning frequency based on live headloss readings.
- Responds dynamically to flow changes—no operator input required.
⚙️ Faster, Cleaner Performance
- The new FlexLink™ design doubles the cleaning speed and clears the entire bar screen in just 7 seconds when needed.
- Redesigned scraper profiles deliver 6x greater grit and debris removal.
🌀 Adaptive Flow Management (FlexRake IQ2® only)
- The FlexRake IQ2® automatically adjusts bar spacing during peak flows, increasing hydraulic capacity by up to 40%.
- As conditions stabilize, the panels close to resume fine screening.
🧰 No-Fuss Maintenance
- Maintains Duperon’s industry-leading no in-channel maintenance standard.
- Reduces downtime, confined space entries, and overall cost of ownership.
Adaptive Performance in Texas Treatment Plants
At the Chelford City Municipal Utility District wastewater plant near Houston, operators needed a smarter way to handle heavy debris loads and unpredictable storm events. After years of reliable service with earlier FlexRake® screens—including surviving Hurricane Harvey’s 53 inches of rainfall—the plant upgraded to the new FlexRake® Only IQ (FRO IQ) system. The results were immediate: faster debris pickup, improved resilience during high-flow events, and significantly lower maintenance thanks to redesigned scraper profiles and more durable materials. By choosing an upgrade over full replacement, Chelford City MUD also cut costs by about 40%, all while boosting screening performance and operator safety.
👉 View the Chelford, TX Case Study to see how Duperon helped future-proof this Texas treatment plant.
FlexRake IQ Series Product Guide
| Duperon® FlexRake IQ® | Duperon® FlexRake IQ2® |
|---|---|
| Responsive Resiliency | Maximum Resiliency |
| This patent-pending system uses sequence technology to solve increasing inflow and infiltration problems, delivering four times greater debris removal than other screens. This model speeds up and slows down as needed to accommodate changing debris and flow conditions. | This screening system automatically transitions between fine screening and coarse screening to suit the conditions. With all the features of the original FlexRake® IQ™, this model also uses Smart Bar Screen™ technology for additional hydraulic capacity. |
| ⅛ in – 4 in bar openings | ¼ in – 4 in bar openings |
| → View FlexRake IQ® Product Info Sheet | → View FlexRake IQ2® Product Info Sheet |
| → Case Study: Crookston, MN – FlexRake IQ® Duperon’s FlexRake IQ® Screens Increase Safety, Decrease Costs and Minimize Risk. | → Case Study: Saginaw, MI – FlexRake IQ²® Duperon increases plant resilience with a bar screen that adapts to changing flow conditions. |
Key Outcomes of the FlexRake IQ® Series
- 7-second full screen cleaning at max speed
- 6x improvement in grit and debris removal
- Automatic flow adaptation during peak conditions
- Up to 40% increase in hydraulic capacity
- Continuous operation with minimal intervention
Conclusion
The FlexRake IQ Series® doesn’t just clean bar screens—it thinks ahead. With automation, adaptability, and proven mechanical reliability, the FlexRake IQ® and FlexRake IQ2® help municipalities and industrial facilities handle today’s unpredictable flow conditions with confidence.
Ready to future-proof your headworks?
👉 Contact Vision Equipment to learn how the Duperon FlexRake IQ Series™ can elevate your screening system.
