Sludge Dewatering Processes for Different Wastewater Treatment Applications2410536
Sludge dewatering is the process of removing water from sludge. After wastewater treatment, the remaining material usually has a high water content. This final step in the treatment process reclaims much of the liquid.
The sludge handling and disposal process is a major price for wastewater facilities. Improvements to older methods as nicely as innovative alternatives are now accessible for treatment plants. Some of these options consist of:
Belt Filter Presses
This type of gear has been about for many years and is nonetheless considered one of the industry standards. These systems are simple to operate and familiar to most facility staff but are not the very best alternative for containing odors.
Centrifuges
Centrifuges have been greatly enhanced over the lengthy period of time that they have been used in the sludge dewatering process. They are known to be fast (about 3000 rpm), which means they require regular maintenance. Still, they are constructed to be extremely reliable and easy to operate. Centrifuges usually create the driest cake, meaning the most water possible has been removed. Because they are self-contained, the odor control is not a big issue. This versatile piece of equipment handles changing conditions and does nicely in all kinds of treatment applications.
Rotary Disc Press
This is a fairly new technique that involves feeding flocculated material in between slowly rotating screens within every disc assembly. The gear might include from one to six discs per unit. Users like the slow rotation (usually between one and three rpm) and how the whole 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 nonetheless wedge wire screen. It also operates at a extremely slow speed and is self-contained. It uses 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 functions nicely when greater quantities are anticipated. They have been used traditionally in the pulp and paper industry, and more recently with wastewater treatment plants.
The correct sludge dewatering gear for a treatment facility depends on a variety of elements such as:
- Sludge quantity and composition - How much space is accessible for equipment - How quickly the sludge dewatering must take location - Operator experience 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 ensure the best, most efficient system is being used for its specific applications.
