Sludge Dewatering Processes for Different Wastewater Treatment Applications2245668
Sludge dewatering is the procedure of removing water from sludge. After wastewater treatment, the remaining material usually has a high water content material. This final step in the treatment process reclaims much of the liquid.
The sludge handling and disposal process is a major cost for wastewater facilities. Improvements to older techniques as well as innovative alternatives are now available for treatment plants. Some of these options include:
Belt Filter Presses
This kind of gear has been about for many years and is still regarded as one of the industry standards. These systems are simple to operate and familiar to most facility employees but are not the very best alternative for containing odors.
Centrifuges
Centrifuges have been significantly improved over the long period of time that they have been used in the sludge dewatering procedure. They are recognized to be quick (about 3000 rpm), which indicates they need normal maintenance. Nonetheless, they are built to be very dependable and easy to operate. Centrifuges usually produce the driest cake, meaning the most water feasible has been removed. Simply because they are self-contained, the odor control is not a big problem. This versatile piece of equipment handles changing conditions and does nicely in all kinds of treatment applications.
Rotary Disc Press
This is a relatively new method that entails feeding flocculated material in between slowly rotating screens within every disc assembly. The equipment may include from one to six discs per unit. Users like the slow rotation (generally between one and 3 rpm) and how the entire system is self-contained.
Inclined Screw Press
Similar to the rotary disc press, this system feeds flocculated material into an inclined screw that rotates inside a stainless still wedge wire screen. It also operates at a very slow speed and is self-contained. It utilizes minimal horsepower compared to other methods, resulting in lower operation costs.
Horizontal Screw Press
This system is similar to the inclined screw press, but the flocculated material is fed into a horizontal rotating screen. It works nicely when higher quantities are anticipated. They have been used traditionally in the pulp and paper business, and more recently with wastewater treatment plants.
The right sludge dewatering equipment for a treatment facility depends on a variety of factors such as:
- Sludge quantity and composition - How much space is available for gear - How rapidly the sludge dewatering should take place - Operator encounter and preferences - Odor control preferences - How the sludge cake might be used, such as land applications, landfill disposal, alternative fuels, or additional processing for some other objective
A professional service should be consulted to help evaluate the facility's needs to make sure the best, most effective system is becoming used for its specific applications.
