mixture of primary and waste activated sludge shows 2 positive change of 5 percent in its solids Concentration when the percentage of volatile solids in it decreases from 70 percent to 50 percent. However, since digestion ‘also produces ‘smaller Particles,’ the higher surface area results in moro ‘moisture. The above approximation of volatile content to cake solids must be cautiously employed and should be protested whenever possible. 3.3.8 Sludge pH Sludge pH affects the surface charge on sludge particles. Hence pH will influence the type of polymor to be used for conditioning. Generally anionic Polymers are most useful when the sludge is lime Conditioned and has a high pH, while cationic Polymers are most suitable at a pH slighty above or jelow neutral. In some cases, cationic polymers can bbe effective up to pH 12 and has been employed for lime stabilized sludge at New Haven, CT. Polymer technology is continuing to advance. 3.3.9 Septicity Septic sludge is more dificult to dewater and requires highor dosages of chemical conditioners than tresh sludge. This phenomenon has been experienced at many locations and is most likely due to a reduction in the size of sludge particles, to the generation of {gases that remain entrained in the sludge, and to the change in surface characteristics created by bio- conversion Welter cake and lower sludge production are common results from dewatering septic. sludge. For this reason raw sludge storage should be minimized as en operating practice, 3.4 Recirculation from Solids Processing Tho return flows emanating from sludge thickening, digestion, conditioning, and dewatering will recycle TSS and BODs. if the primary clarification is not hydraulically overloaded, the majority of these solids will resettle in the primary clarifier. Contrary to popular opinion, there will be no significant increase in primary ‘clarifier effluent TSS due to recycle loads of 28 percent or more of the influent TSS concentrations. ‘The treatment plants at York, PA, Dubuque, IA, and New Haven, CT all experience TSS recycles ‘up to and exceeding 100 percent of the influent TSS without impairing primary effiuent TSS. However, if the primary clarifiers were hydraulically overloaded and/or allowed to go septic, high recycle levels of BODs and TSS would be a serious problem. ‘Thus, the bulk of TSS in the recycle stream will resoitle and can be contained. This is not true for the soluble BODs fraction of the recycle. This recycle loading must be added to the anticipated primary effluent BODs. Return streams should always pass through the primary clarifiers (if present) and through pro- aeration if it exists. Pre-aeration will enhance the removal of solids while freshening the wastewater. 3.5 References 1. Vosilind, P.A. Treatment and Disposal of Wastewater Sludges, Revised Edition. Ann Arbor Science Publishers, Ann Arbor, Ml, 1980. Status of Oxygen/Activated Wastewater Treatment. EPA-625/4-77-003, U.S Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Environmental Research information, Cincinnati, OH, 1977. ' ‘Anderson, M.S. Comparative Analysis of Sewage Sludges. Sewage and industrial Waste 28(2), 1966. Dick, Rul. Sludge Treatinent. In: Physiochemical Processes for Water Quality Control, edited by W. J. Weber, Editor. Wiley Interscience, 1972. Goackley, P. and F. Wilson, Proceedings of the Filtration’ Society. Filtration Separation, Jan- Feb:61, 1971.