Sludge processing technology / Technology

What is to be gained by dehydrating sludge from a treatment plant?

By dehydrating sludge, you retain water in your own area, that is, where you need it!
The burdensome costs of analyses, which have to be executed before the movement of liquid sludge, are therefore unnecessary.

The owner of the treatment plant consequently doesn't require the otherwise mandatory permits to move liquid sludge onto treated surfaces. You reduce the possibility of the population in the municipality becoming infected with pathogenic bacteria and illnesses that spread through ground water. 

Currently, we pay the most attention to preserving water, as this is also the most critical problem after a few years of drought. Due to reduced levels of rainfall, it itself is also exposed to pollution, caused by various sources. This is why we are taking steps to reduce water contamination, while at the same time, keeping it in the same area as where we source it, since this is becoming ever more important to the inhabitants with each passing year.

How much waste sludge is there for dehydration?

The amount of waste sludge depends on the size and capabilities of the treatment plant. The average amount of liquid sludge per treatment plant for 800 inhabitants is approximately 160 cubic metres per annum. This means, that three times per year, the sludge needs to be emptied (dehydrated). The dehydrated sludge, which contains 22 - 24% of dry substances is disposed of at a protected landfill, however upon agreement, we can take it over as well.

Mobile plant for the dehydration of sludge from the treatment plant and industrial objects



Sludge treatment

- Dehydration with a centrifuge;
- Dehydration with a KS 20 pressurized press;
- Transport;
- Hygenization and solidification and;
- Composting.

The treatment of sludge is a mandatory process in all treatment plants. Through the processing of sludge, we prepare the sludge for disposal at a landfill or for further processing (drying, incineration...)

By treating the sludge in such a high quality manner, its volume is reduced. With supplements, we stabilize and hygenitize it in such a way, that the sludge consequently doesn’t begin to decompose or leach out at the landfill.

Dehydration with centrifuge

The dehydration of sludge with a decanter centrifuge has its advantages:
- Completely closed system of sludge treatment;
- Better wringing with fresh (untreated) sludge;
- Better wringing of organic materials – greater supervision of the wrung out sludge (supervision of dry substances in the wrung out sludge);
- Simple supervision of the entire system;
- Total automatization, from start up to wash out.

Dehydration with KS 20 pressurized press

Dehydration with a pressurized press with the width of 2330 mm treats the sludge by pressing it between a line and cylinders. This process is more stationary and continuous, however at the end we do not end up with as much dry matter.



Composting

Composting is at its core, a natural process of biological decomposition. The combination of the right environmental conditions, time and microorganisms converts the organic substances, subjected to rotting into a stable product. Heat is also created in this process. The crucial parameters in the production of compost are: carbon/nitrogen, moisture, oxygen and temperature.

Hygenization and solidification

The hygenization and solidification of sludge is essentially the stabilisation of sludge with additives. Usually, lime is added to sludge. However, other additives, such as cement and ash can also be added. After dehydration, lime is added to the sludge and is mixed with the sludge inside a machine. After the sludge is mixed, it is transported into a container or other form of storage with the aid of a single pump. The sludge is solidified by the addition of lime (containing approx. 30% dry substances) and hygenizated (pH > 12). Consequently, microorganisms and bacteria can develop in the sludge treated by this process at the landfill.