Sludge Dewatering Processes for Various Wastewater Treatment Applications5607046
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 process reclaims much of the liquid.
The sludge handling and disposal process is a significant cost for wastewater facilities. Improvements to older techniques as well as revolutionary options 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 easy to operate and familiar to most facility staff 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 known to be quick (about 3000 rpm), which means they need normal maintenance. Nonetheless, they are constructed to be extremely reliable 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 well in all kinds of treatment applications.
Rotary Disc Press
This is a fairly new technique that entails feeding flocculated material in between gradually 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 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 uses minimal horsepower compared to other techniques, resulting in reduce 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 higher quantities are anticipated. They have been used traditionally in the pulp and paper business, and more lately with wastewater treatment plants.
The correct sludge dewatering equipment for a treatment facility depends on a variety of factors such as:
- Sludge quantity and composition - How a lot space is accessible for equipment - How quickly the sludge dewatering should take place - Operator encounter and preferences - Odor control preferences - How the sludge cake may be used, such as land applications, landfill disposal, alternative fuels, or extra processing for some other purpose
A professional service should be consulted to help evaluate the facility's needs to ensure the best, most efficient system is becoming used for its particular applications.
