Figure 1 Hypothetical relationship between the food - to - microorganism ratio and the

coefficient k in Equation 1.

CHARACTERIZATION OF WATER TREATMENT SLUDGES

Water treatment plant wastes are suited to pressure filtration since they are often
difficult to dewater, particularly alum sludges and softening precipitates containing
magnesium hydroxide. Gravity-thickened alum wastes are conditioned by the addition
of lime slurry. A precoat of diatomaceous earth or fly ash is applied prior to each cycle,
and conditioned sludge is then fed continuously to the pressure filter until filtrate ceases
and the cake is consolidated under high pressure. A power pack holds the chambers as
the equalisation tank provides uniform pressure across the filter chambers as the cycle
begins. Prior to cake discharge, excess sludge in the inlet ports of the filter is removed
by air pressure to a core separation tank. Filtrate is measured through a weir tank and
recycled to the inlet of the water treatment plant. Cake is transported by truck to a
disposal site.

Alum sludges are conditioned using lime and/or fly ash. Lime dosage is in the range
10%-15% of the sludge solids. Ash from an incinerator, or fly ash from a power plant,
is applied at a much higher dosage, approximately 100% of dry sludge solids.
Polyelectrolytes may also be added to aid coagulation. Fly ash and diatomaceous earth
are used for precoating; the latter requires about 50.2 kg/m2 of filter area. Under
normal operation, cake density is 40%-50% solids and has a dense, dry, textured
appearance.

4 Module 9