Topic
Sludge separation − centrifugation
The theory of centrifugation relates to sedimentation theory as it acts to enhance gravity through the centrifugal force
Centrifuges
Centrifugal thickening increases the sludge concentration by encouraging the particles to migrate to the walls of a rapidly rotating cylindrical vessel under the influence of a centrifugal force. Thickening centrifuges employ relatively low speeds, compared to dewatering centrifuges, such that the product sludge retains the free-flowing properties of the feed and can therefore still be pumped
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Sludge thickening
An overview of sludge thickening − an introduction to theory and related technologies
Topic
Introduction to sludge thickening
Processes which act to remove water from the sludge to reduce its volume are called thickening and dewatering
Topic
Sludge treatment − centrifugal thickening
Sludge concentration increases as particles are encouraged to migrate to the walls of a rapidly rotating cylindrical vessel
Centrifuges related videos
Solid bowl decanter centrifuge, GEA Group
A video to demonstrate the principles of the GEA Group's solid bowl decanter centrifuge.
Centrifuges features and blogs
Feature
Co-processing of sewage digestate by hydrothermal carbonisation
Hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC) can be used to co-process anaerobic digestion (AD) digestate and lignocellulosic (or plant-based) feedstocks to improve the the hydrochar product quality. This AD waste co-processing route has been studied at bench scale. Read article
More Centrifuges topics…
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Flotation thickeners
Dissolved air flotation thickens sludges by encouraging the solids to float to the surface where they can be skimmed off
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Gravity belt thickeners
Gravity belt thickening thickens sludge by allowing the water to drain from the sludge under gravity through a permeable belt
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Gravity thickeners
Gravity thickening increases the solids concentration by allowing the particles to settle to the base of a vessel
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Membrane thickeners
Membrane thickeners separate suspended solids from liquid by extracting the water through a selective permeable material
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Rotary drum thickeners
Rotary drum thickening increases sludge solids concentration by agitating the solids in a cylindrical drum with porous walls
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Conditioning
Conditioning is the pretreatment of sludge upstream of thickening and dewatering to promote solid-liquid separation
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Thickening
Thickening processes concentrate the sludge by removing part of the free water, such that the product can still be pumped
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Dewatering
Dewatering processes mechanically remove a significant proportion of the sludge water to produce a 15-45% cake product
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Drying
In sludge drying the sludge moisture is removed as water vapour by heating, generating a pelleted or powdered product
More process and operation topics…
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Sludge stabilisation
Sludge stabilisation − alkaline stabilisation, lime and solids dosing, plus anaerobic and aerobic digestion
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Thermochemical processes
Thermochemical methods are used to either significantly reduce the sludge solids content or pre-treat sludge upstream of AD
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Sludge quality
Sludge is the main waste stream from the treatment of wastewater