Sludge Treatment and Disposal

Sludge disposal facilities usually represent 40 to 60% of the construction cost of

waste water treatment plants.

Sludge characteristics

Primary settling removes the settle able fraction of the raw wastewater solids ,
usually 40 to 60% of the influent solids.

The quantity of these solids , on a dry mass basis , can be determined by the
following equation :-

Mp = Ӻ × ss × Q

Where Mp = mass of primary solids Kg/d

Ӻ = efficiency of primary clarifier

ss = total suspended solids in Kg/m 3

Q = flow rate m3/d

Secondary sludge is composed primarily of biological solids , the quantity of

which can be estimated by the equation:-

Ms = Y’ × BOD5 × Q

Where Ms = mass of secondary solids , Kg/d

Y’ = Biomass conversion factor : fraction of food (BOD 5)

incorporated into biomass , Kg/KG

BOD5 = BOD5 removed by secondary treatment , Kg/m3

Q = flow rate , m3/d

The value of Y’ is a function of both the biomass conversion factor and the
phase of the growth curve at which the particular system operates. The
consistency of wastewater sludge varies with source . Primary sludge is more
granular in nature than the secondary sludge is generally more concentrated. It is
sometimes advantageous to mix primary and secondary sludge to facilitate
further processing.

The organic content of both primary & secondary sludge is about 70% . Since
specific gravity of these organic is only slightly greater than 1, the unit mass of
sludge containing less than about 10 percent solids can be assumed equal to that
of water without introducing significant error . The value of wet sludge can be
approximated by the following equation :-

V = M/1000 S

Where V = volume of sludge produced

M = mass of dry solids , Kg/d

S = solids content expressed as a decimal fraction

1000 = density of water , Kg/m3

Mps = Mp + Ms

Mps = total sludge solids from primary sedimentation & secondary biological
aeration .

Design & operation of sludge disposal systems are based on volume of wet sludge
as well as the dry solids content. Once the dry weight of the solids has been
determined , the volume of wet sludge can be determined by knowing the %age
of solids or water contents . Thus formula assumes a specific gravity for wet
sludge of 1.0 , ᵨ /ᵨ
s w =1

V = M/ (S/100) = M/( (100-p)/100)

Where V = volume of wet sludge in litres

M= weight of dry solids in Kilograms.

Classification of Sludge

The simplest classification of wastewater sludges is based on the process from

which they are produced :-

1) Raw or primary sludge

2) Humus sludge
3) Excess activated sludge
4) Chemical sludge
5) Digested sludge :- This is the product of either aerobic or anaerobic
digestion & is a well –stabilized material capable of being de-watered on
open drying beds without severe odour problems . Well- stabilized ,
anaerobically –digested sludge has a black appearance with a tarry odour ,
it is non-putrescible & is no longer attractive to flies & other insects.

Objectives & methods in sludge treatment & disposal

Objectives

The main objectives of sludge treatment are

1) Stabilization of organic matter contained

2) Reduction in the volume of sludge for disposal by removing some of water.
3) Destruction of pathogenic organisms
4) Collection of by- products (methane gas for heating)
5) Disposal of the sludge in a safe & aesthetically acceptable manner

Methods

Sludge treatment & disposal at any particular location may comprise any or all
of the following steps:

a) Concentration : reduction in the volume of sludge to be treated

b) Treatment : to stabilize organic matters , destroy pathogens &/or yield by-
products.
c) De-watering & drying –removal of water
d) Disposal: in air, land or water
The most commonly –used method of sludge stabilization is anaerobic
digestion. The main use of anaerobic digestion is for the stabilization of
primary & secondary sludge which have solids contents of 20000 ---60000mg/l
( 2—6 %) about 70 % of which are volatile.

Conventional anaerobic digestion is carried out in a two-stage process , the

first stage heated to the desired temperature produces most of the gas & the
second stage is one of quiescent settlement & solids separation. The
supernatant liquor which is high in soluble organics ( up to 10000 mg/l BOD ) is
drawn off for aerobic treatment in the plant , & the settled solids are
withdrawn as sludge for dewatering and ultimate disposal .