Using Of Local Materials In Mechanical Dewatering Of Wastewater Sludge

Sludge dewatering process is crucial step in the cost-effective management ofwastewater residuals treatment. The belt filter press is one of the dominantmechanical sludge-dewatering technologies available. The expense ofconditioning chemicals may in some instances be as high as 20% of the totaltreatment plant operation costs. Polymer is the most common conditioningchemical used for belt filter presses. Other chemicals, such as ferric chlorideand lime have been used also. Another belt filter press operating cost is beltfabric. The belt fabric characteristics are representing an important factoraffects belt filter press performance.The objective of the present study is to investigate the applicability of a cost-effective local material for sludge conditioning. Another objective is to studythe suitability of use local material textile as belt fabric.Cement dust consists of more than 50% by mass of lime; therefore cement dustas a low cost product was tested as sludge conditioner instead of the costlypolymers. Investigated belt fabric was weaved with polyester multifilamentyams, and with permeability value 0.04 cm/sec and ultimate tensile strengthvalue 117.21kN/m.A bench scale model simulating the two stages of the belt filter press namely,gravity drainage stage, and compression stage was constructed. The modelwas fed with secondary activated thickened sludge. The study examineddifferent cement dust adding forms, different cement dust doses, andconditioner preparation mixing time, speed, and cement dust percent. Inaddition, the effects of belt loading rate, sludge/conditioner contact time,