Sludge Dewatering Processes for Various Wastewater Treatment Applications4630545
Sludge dewatering is the procedure of removing water from sludge. Following wastewater treatment, the remaining material generally has a high water content material. This final step in the treatment procedure reclaims much of the liquid.
The sludge handling and disposal process is a major price for wastewater facilities. Improvements to older techniques as well as innovative options 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 still considered one of the business requirements. These systems are simple to operate and familiar to most facility employees but are not the 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 normal maintenance. Still, they are built to be extremely reliable and easy to operate. Centrifuges typically 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 issue. This versatile piece of equipment handles altering conditions and does well in all kinds of treatment applications.
Rotary Disc Press
This is a fairly new method that entails feeding flocculated material in between slowly rotating screens inside each disc assembly. The equipment might include from one to six discs per unit. Customers like the slow rotation (usually between one and 3 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 very slow speed and is self-contained. It utilizes minimal horsepower compared to other techniques, resulting in lower operation expenses.
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 well when higher quantities are anticipated. They have been used traditionally in the pulp and paper industry, and much 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 accessible for equipment - How rapidly the sludge dewatering must take place - Operator experience and preferences - Odor control preferences - How the sludge cake may 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 very best, most effective system is becoming used for its particular applications.
