MODULE-3 Notes:

1 Notes on sludge treatment methods and disposal?

Sludge treatment and disposal generally include several unit processes and

operations, which fall under the following classifications: thickening,

stabilization, disinfection, conditioning, dewatering, drying, thermal

reduction, miscellaneous processes, ultimate disposal, or reuse .

Sludge treatment and disposal:

The residue that accumulates in sewage treatment plants is called sludge (or

biosolids). Sewage sludge is the solid, semisolid, or slurry residual material

that is produced as a by-product of wastewater treatment processes. This

residue is commonly classified as primary and secondary sludge. Primary

sludge is generated from chemical precipitation, sedimentation, and other

primary processes, whereas secondary sludge is the activated waste biomass

resulting from biological treatments. Some sewage plants also receive

septage or septic tank solids from household on-site wastewater treatment

systems. Quite often the sludges are combined together for further treatment

and disposal.

Treatment methods:

Treatment of sewage sludge may include a combination of thickening,

digestion, and dewatering processes.

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Thickening

Thickening is usually the first step in sludge treatment because it is

impractical to handle thin sludge, a slurry of solids suspended in water.

Thickening is usually accomplished in a tank called a gravity thickener. A

thickener can reduce the total volume of sludge to less than half the original

volume. An alternative to gravity thickening is dissolved-air flotation. In

this method, air bubbles carry the solids to the surface, where a layer of

thickened sludge forms.

Methods of thickening of sludge?
Thickened sludge may be of two kinds: primary sludge generated in the

primary settling tank and excess sludge generated in the secondary settling

tank. Sludge thickening may be broadly classified into four types, gravity

thickening, centrifugal thickening, floatation thickening and belt-type

thickening.

Digestion

Sludge digestion is a biological process in which organic solids are

decomposed into stable substances. Digestion reduces the total mass of

solids, destroys pathogens, and makes it easier to dewater or dry the sludge.

Digested sludge is inoffensive, having the appearance and characteristics of

a rich potting soil.

Most large sewage treatment plants use a two-stage digestion system in

which organics are metabolized by bacteria anaerobically (in the absence of

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oxygen). In the first stage, the sludge, thickened to a dry solids (DS) content

of about 5 percent, is heated and mixed in a closed tank for several days.

Acid-forming bacteria hydrolyze large molecules such

as proteins and lipids, breaking them into smaller water-soluble molecules,

and then ferment those smaller molecules into various fatty acids. The

sludge then flows into a second tank, where the dissolved matter is

converted by other bacteria into biogas, a mixture of carbon

dioxide and methane. Methane is combustible and is used as a fuel to heat

the first digestion tank as well as to generate electricity for the plant.

Dewatering

Digested sewage sludge is usually dewatered before disposal. Dewatered

sludge still contains a significant amount of water often as much as 70

percent but, even with that moisture content, sludge no longer behaves as a

liquid and can be handled as a solid material. Sludge-drying beds provide

the simplest method of dewatering. A digested sludge slurry is spread on an

open bed of sand and allowed to remain until dry. Drying takes place by a

combination of evaporation and gravity drainage through the sand. A

piping network built under the sand collects the water, which is pumped

back to the head of the plant. After about six weeks of drying, the sludge

cake, as it is called, may have a solids content of about 40 percent. It can then

be removed from the sand with a pitchfork or a front-end loader. In order to

reduce drying time in wet or cold weather, a glass enclosure may be built

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 over the sand beds. Since a good deal of land area is needed for drying beds,

this method of dewatering is commonly used in rural or suburban towns

rather than in densely populated cities.

Disposal

The final destination of treated sewage sludge usually is the land. Dewatered

sludge can be buried underground in a sanitary landfill. It also may be

spread on agricultural land in order to make use of its value as

a soil conditioner and fertilizer. Since sludge may contain toxic industrial

chemicals, it is not spread on land where crops are grown for

human consumption.

Where a suitable site for land disposal is not available, as in urban areas,

sludge may be incinerated. Incineration completely evaporates the moisture

and converts the organic solids into inert ash. The ash must be disposed of,

but the reduced volume makes disposal more economical. Air pollution

control is a very important consideration when sewage sludge is incinerated.

Appropriate air-cleaning devices such as scrubbers and filters must be used.

2 What is sludge conditioning?

Sludge conditioning is a process whereby sludge solids are treated with

chemicals or various other means to prepare the sludge for dewatering

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processes, in other words, to improve dewatering characteristics of the

sludge.

For sludge conditioning, two procedures are typically used: (i) chemical

addition and (ii) heat treatment.

Chemical conditioning causes the particles to coagulate and the absorbed

water to be released. Prior to vacuum filtering and centrifugation,

conditioning is utilized. Ferric chloride, lime, alum, and organic polymers

are among the chemicals employed. The appropriate chemical dose is

established by a laboratory test. A higher dose is required for sludge that is

difficult to dewater.

Heat Sludge treatment involves both stabilization and conditioning. Sludge

is heated for a brief time (30 minutes) under pressure (1.0 to 1.4 MN/m2). The

temperature is regulated between 140 and 200 degrees Celsius. The

treatment causes solids to coagulate, the gel structure to break down, and

the water affinity of sludge solids to decrease. As a consequence, the sludge

is sterilized, deodorized, and dewatered easily without the use of chemicals

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 using vacuum filters or filter presses. Heat treatment is best for biological

sludge’s that are difficult to stabilize or condition by other methods.

Equipment's high capital costs often limit its application in large facilities.

3 What is Sludge Dewatering?

The digestion of primary or mixed sludge reduces the water content to

around 90%; nevertheless, treatment is required to further lower the water

content. When digested sludge is applied to sludge drying beds, the sludge's

water content can be reduced by up to 70%. This process will be hampered

if there is too much oil or grease present. Because sludge drying beds require

a large amount of land (nearly 40% of the total area required for a sewage

treatment plant), other options such as mechanical dewatering on vacuum

filters, filter presses, or centrifuges, followed by heat drying or incineration,

could be used in places where land is scarce.

Because the environment in most areas of India is conducive to open sludge

drying, sludge drying beds are favored as a cost-effective and easy-to-

manage option.

4 What are the factors affecting sludge digestion?

Some parameters affecting the aerobic digestion process are: (1) rate of sludge
oxidation, (2) sludge temperature, (3) system oxygen requirements, (4) sludge
loading rate, (5) sludge age, and (6) sludge solids characteristics.
5 Figure of Anaerobic digestion process?

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7 Explain the notes of sludge composting?

Composting is a controlled, aerobic (oxygen-required) process that converts

organic materials into a nutrient-rich soil amendment or mulch through

natural decomposition. The end product is compost – a dark, crumbly,

earthy-smelling material.

Sludge composting is an indirect use of municipal sludge in agriculture,

which is a widely used method in the treatment of municipal sludge. After

composting, the pathogens are killed and the structure of sludge is loose.

When it reaches the degree of maturity, there were is no mosquitoes.

Composting is a preferred method of sewage sludge treatment, mainly in

small and medium-sized wastewater treatment plants. Due to its high

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 moisture, low porosity, and low C/N ratio, sewage sludge cannot be

composted alone and must be mixed with other materials that are rich in

carbon, contain low nitrogen concentration, and are characterized by low

moisture.

Principle of composting

Composting is a managed process which utilizes microorganisms naturally

present in organic matter and soil to decompose organic material. These

microorganisms require basic nutrients, oxygen and water in order for

decomposition to occur at an accelerated pace

Indian method of composting

The pit is completely filled and a final soil layer is laid to prevent fly

breeding, entry of rain water into the pit and for conservation of the

released energy. The material is allowed to decompose for 4 to 6 months

after which the stabilised material is taken out and used as compost.

8 What are the sources of solid waste

The waste type-based classification consider the physical, chemical, and

biological characteristics of wastes. This included garbage, ashes/residues,

combustible/non- combustible, bulky wastes, street wastes and

biodegradable/non-biodegradable wastes. In addition, product packaging,

grass clippings, furniture, clothing, bottles, kitchen refuse, paper, appliances,

paint cans, batteries, etc., produced in a society, which do not generally carry

any value to the first users.

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 6 classification of solid waste:

Solid Waste can be classified into 6 types of waste which are all commonly

found around the house. These include liquid, solid, organic, recyclable,

hazardous, and industrial waste.

9 CLASSIFICATION OF SOLID WASTES

(i) Domestic/Residential Waste:

This category of waste comprises the solid wastes that originate from single

and multi-family household units. These wastes are generated as a

consequence of household activities such as cooking, cleaning, repairs,

hobbies, redecoration, empty containers, packaging, clothing, old books,

writing/new paper, and old furnishings.

(ii) Municipal Waste:

Municipal waste include wastes resulting from municipal activities and

services such as street waste, dead animals, market waste and abandoned

vehicles.

(iii) Commercial Waste:

Included in this category are solid wastes that originate in offices,

wholesale and retail stores, restaurants, hotels, markets, warehouses and

other commercial establishments.

(iv) Institutional Waste:

Institutional wastes are those arising from institutions such as schools,

universities, hospitals and research institutes. It includes wastes which are

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classified as garbage and rubbish as well as wastes which are considered to

be hazardous to public health and to the environment.

(v) Garbage:

Garbage is the term applied to animal and vegetable wastes resulting from

the handling, storage, sale, preparation, cooking and serving of food. Such

wastes contain putrescible organic matter, which produces strong odours

and therefore attracts rats, flies and other vermin. It requires immediate

attention in its storage, handling and disposal.

(vi) Rubbish:

Rubbish is a general term applied to solid wastes originating in

households, commercial establishments and institutions, excluding garbage

and ashes.

(vii) Ashes:

Ashes are the residues from the burning of wood, coal, charcoal, coke and

other combustible materials, for cooking and heating in houses, institutions

and small industrial establishments. When produced in large quantities at

power generating plants and factories these wastes are classified as

industrial wastes.

(viii) Bulky Wastes:

In this category are bulky household wastes which cannot be

accommodated in the normal storage containers of households. For this

reason they require special collection. In developed countries bulky wastes

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are large household appliances such as cookers, refrigerators and washing

machines as well as furniture, crates, vehicle parts, tyres, wood, trees and

branches.

(ix) Street Sweeping:

This term applies to wastes that are collected from streets, walkways,

alleys, parks and vacant lots. Mechanised street sweeping is the dominant

practice in the developed countries. Street wastes include paper,

cardboard, plastic, dirt, dust, leaves and other vegetable matter.

(x) Dead Animals:

This is a term applied to dead animals that die naturally or accidentally

killed. This category does not include carcass and animal parts from

slaughterhouses which are regarded as industrial wastes. Dead animals are

divided into two groups, large and small. Among the large animals are

horses, cows, goats, sheep, hogs and the like. Small animals include dogs,

cats, rabbits and rats.

(xi) Construction and Demolition Wastes:

Construction and demolition wastes are the waste materials generated by

the construction, refurbishment, repair and demolition of houses,

commercial buildings and other structures. It mainly consists of earth,

stones, concrete, bricks, lumber, roofing materials, plumbing materials,

heating systems and electrical wires and parts of the general municipal

waste stream, but when generated in large amounts at building and

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demolition sites.

(xii) Industrial Wastes:

In the category are the discarded solid material of manufacturing processes

and industrial operations. They cover a vast range of substances which are

unique to each industry. For this reason they are considered separately

from municipal wastes.

(xiii) Hazardous Wastes:

Hazardous wastes may be defined as wastes of industrial, institutional or

consumer origin which, because of their physical, chemical or biological

characteristics are potentially dangerous to human and the environment. In

some cases although the active agents may be liquid or gaseous, they are

classified as solid wastes because they are confined in solid containers.

Typical examples are: solvents, paints and pesticides whose spent

containers are frequently mixed with municipal wastes and become part of

the urban waste stream. Certain hazardous wastes cause explosions in

incinerators and fires at landfill sites. Others, such as pathological wastes

from hospitals and radioactive wastes, require special handling at all time.

Good management practice should ensure that hazardous wastes are

stored, collected, transported and disposed off separately, preferably after

suitable treatment to render them innocuous.

(xiv) Sewage Wastes:

The solid by-products of sewage treatment are classified as sewage wastes.

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 They are mostly organic and derive from the treatment of organic sludge

from both the raw and treated sewage. The solid sludge therefore enters

the stream of municipal wastes unless special arrangements are made for

its disposal.

10 Notes on open dumping of solid wastes

Disposal of solid wastes by dumping in low-lying areas has been practised

since early times. Such sites often do not have any proper system of

operation and are found to attract a large number of ragpickers, who during

their search for reclaimable materials spread the waste around spoiling the

appearance of the site.

Further, the decomposition causes a lot of nuisance and the site cannot be

put to suitable use early. Such sites are often located in low-lying areas where

they tend to pollute surface and ground waters.

Hence, such kind of open dumping is prohibited because it poses greater

risk to the environment

11 Notes on sanitary landfill of solid wastes

Components of A Modern Solid Waste Landfill's Environmental

Containment System
 Final Cover System. ...

 Waste Mass. ...

 Double Composite Liner System.

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