Sludge Thickening

FS-FNG-001
TECHNOLOGY FACT SHEETS

FOR EFFLUENT TREATMENT PLANTS
IN TEXTILE INDUSTRY
SLUDGE THICKENING
SERIES: SLUDGE TREATMENTS

TÍTLE SLUDGE THICKENING (FS-FNG-001)
Last update September 2015
Last review

SLUDGE THICKENING FS-FNG-001
SLUDGE THICKENING (FS-FNG-001)

Date September 2015
Authors Joaquín Suárez López

Alfredo Jácome Burgos
Pablo Ures Rodríguez
Reviewed by
Amendments Date Amended by Modification objective

SLUDGE THICKENING FS-FNG-001 Page. 1 of 31

INDEX
1.- SLUDGE THICKENING

1.1.- Objective
1.2.- Thickening process types
2.- GRAVITY THICKENING

2.1.- General description of the unit
2.2.- Fundamentals of concentrated suspensions settling-thickening
2.3.- Utility and applicability
2.3.- Design
2.3.1.- Design parameters
2.3.2.- Design criteria
2.4.- Specific technical considerations
2.5.- Expected results
2.6.- Operating problems
3.- THICKENING BY CENTRIFUGATION/BY CENTRIFUGES

3.1.- Fundamentals of thickening by centrifuges
3.3.- Design
4.- THICKENING WITH BAND FILTERS BY GRAVITY BELT THICKENERS

4.1.- Fundamentals of thickening by thickening tables
4.3.- Design
5.- ROTATING DRUM THICKENERS

5.1.- Fundamentals of thickening by rotating drum
5.3.- Design
6.- SPECIFICATIONS IN THE TREATMENT OF SLUDGE OF TEXTILE INDUSTRY
BIBLIOGRAPHY
ANNEX 1 ESTIMATE OF REQUIRED AREAS
ANNEX 2 GRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION OF PROCESS UNITS

1.- SLUDGE THICKENING
1.1.- Objective
Fluids leaving the water line create the WWTP sludge line. Two basic operations are sludge pre-treatment and
thickening.
Thickeners aim at separating the two phases (solid and water) efficiently, increasing solids concentrations, so that
the volumes are lower a
nd handling and final disposal is easier.
The volume reduction is beneficial for subsequent processes such as hydrolysis, digestion, dehydration, drying and
combustion. Thickening reduces the volumes to be transported and therefore, the necessary equipment, the
reagent amount for its conditioning, the heat amount required by digesters, or fuel quantity to be used in any other
process; necessary equipment for dehydration are also reduced and their efficiency is enhanced.
Thickening is generally conducted through physical processes, including gravity thickening, flotation and
centrifugation, among others.
1.2.- Thickening process types
The sludge thickening unit typology is directly linked to the characteristics of sludge to be treated. Physical,
chemical and biological factors of sludge significantly influence one or another thickening process application, as
well as their operation conditions.
Major factors that influence:

 Solid particle size and shape.
 Viscosity and temperature.
 Septicity and dissolved oxygen.
 Natural or potential electric charge Z.
 Bioflocculation trends.
 Occluded water.
Many kids of sludge are non-Newtonian fluids, i.e., they show plastic or pseudoplastic properties.
Typical processes are as follow:

 Gravity thickener.
 Flotation thickener.
 Centrifuges.
 Band screen filter.
 Rotary drum screen filter.
Gravity thickening is usually used for primary and mixed sludge, as well as the ones derived from a physical-
chemical process. If the sludge treatment line includes their aerobic stabilization, the thickener is generally
positioned after this, as this process does not require very high sludge concentrations, not above 2-2.5%, for its
proper operation.
Flotation is unsuitable for concentrating biological sludge from secondary clarifier, also called excess or biological
sludge.
The use of centrifugation and screen filters based techniques has been extended its presence in wastewater
treatment plants in recent years.
Each of these will be further assessed below.


2.- GRAVITY THICKENING
2.1.- General description of the unit
The gravity thickening design is similar to a clarifier. Thickeners are usually circular-shaped; the feed is carried out
through a pipe to a central hood serving as distribution and still area, with a height that has no effect on compaction
or compression bottom area.
Except for small thickeners, static and with hopper floor, these units have a system of very strong bottom scrapers,
which carry the sludge to a central tank and on which pickets are installed. These vertical bars, that move smoothly,
enhance mass homogeneity and create preferential channels enabling the disposal of interstitial water and
occluded gases generated by fermentation phenomena and facilitating the thickening. The supernatant liquid is
collected by a perimeter weir and sent to the plant head or primary treatment.
Figure 1.- Gravity thickener plan and height.
The thickening effluent recirculates to the plant head although its SS concentration must be small.
The bridge supporting the scrapers is usually fixed with a central traction.
The thickened sludge is collected at the thickener bottom and is pumped to digesters or dehydration equipment,
depending on the sludge line configuration.
The rotating mechanism is commonly a central drive with double diametrical arm. This type of drive is convenient
for the necessary torque so as to ensure the system movement. A torque limiter is commonly installed in order to
avoid overvoltage events in the geared motor.

An appropriate gravity clarifier design involves taking account of the potential overloads and septic condition
development.
To avoid possible odors, the thickener is often covered with a sealed housing; this can be fixed, with masonry, or
removable, being more advisable because it facilitates maintenance.
Reagents are often not used in order to improve thickening.
2.2.- Fundamentals of concentrated suspensions settling-thickening
When high particle concentrations remain in the liquid, interferences among them start to arise and free settling
principles cannot be applied. Three settling types are, thus, differentiated:
a) Flocculent particle settling (Class or Type I): This kind of settling is present with low concentrations ((SS) below
300-500 mg/L). It is typical of primary clarifiers.
b) Zonal settling (Class or Type II): It occurs when intermediate solids concentrations are present ((SS) between
3000-5000 mg/L). It is typical of secondary clarifiers.
c) Compression settling (Class or Type III): This occurs with very high solids concentrations ([SS]>5000-10000 mg/L).
It is also called thickening.
Figure 2.- Relationship between settling types and concentration that are typical of suspension flocculation.
The zonal settling takes place in suspensions with solids concentrations higher than 3000-5000 mg/L. The particles
interfere with each other and settle together. Since the beginning the interaction is so strong that it affects the
finest particles.
If water with suspended solids concentration similar to the above is left in a test tube, a clean water area at the top
is observed in which the removal yield has been very high. This forms a kind of blanket that goes down and a
distinct interface between the settled sludge and the clarified water appears. This settling type is typical of
flocculated or coagulated suspensions.

Figure 3.- Zonal settling behavior of a sludge.
Initially, all suspension had a uniform concentration and the interface height was h0, as shown in the figure below.
During a first phase of the process A-B, the interface goes down at a constant velocity, there is a solid-liquid
interface restrained settling. A deceleration area appears over time, an area defined as B-C. In C-D area a sludge
compression occurs.
Figure 4.- Kynch test. Zonal settling.
In the clarified area the performance is in the order of 90%. The particles have been dragged and only a few remain
in suspension. Performance was considerably low in smaller concentrations.
The higher the concentration, the lower the interface descent velocity. The settling velocity will depend on the
particle concentration and characteristics. For such a clarifier design, the main parameter is the HYDRAULIC
LOADING RATE (HLR=Q/Sh), but the HRT is often limited as well.
In the settling bottom area, compression settling exists. Solids concentration is very high. The settling from
concentrations higher than 5000 o 10000 mg/L is of this nature. Particle weight is supported by the ones at the
bottom.
The design parameters from this type of settling are the HLR in order not to drag the SS, and the SOLIDS LOAD.
Solids load is understood as the ratio between the solid flow entering the clarifier (Kg SS/hour) and its horizontal
surface. Their units are Kg/(m2·h). This last parameter is central in obtaining high final concentrations.

Figure 5.- Scheme of thickener areas.
Three areas can be observed in the stationary operation of a thickener. At the top there is what might be called
"clarified area", which has a low solids concentration leaking with the supernatant liquid from the weir. The
following area, known as "feeding area", is characterized by presenting a significantly uniform solids concentration.
Finally, the "compaction area" is included, where there is an increased concentration to the purge point of these
ones.

Table 1.- Gravity thickening utility and applicability.
TYPE OF SLUDGE USE FREQUENCY
Primary Traditional use.
Very good results.
High concentrations, up to 10%.
Primary and biological Used in small plants.
(mixed sludge) Satisfactory outcomes.
Sludge concentrations between 4-6%.
It does not bring major benefits in large plants.
Biological Not recommended.
Low concentrations, about 2-3%.
2.3.- Design
Hydraulic loading rate and solids load are the main design parameters.
 Hydraulic loading rate: it is based on the real flow through the unit, that is, which goes by the perimetral
discharge weir(s) (outflow).
Where:
HLR = Hydraulic loading rate (m/h)
Q = sludge flow sent to the thickening unit (m3/h)
A = horizontal thickener surface (m2)
 Solids load: it defines the required surface for an appropriate sludge thickening in the unit bottom part
(compression area).
.

Where:
CS = solids load (kg SS/m2/h)
Q = sludge flow to the thickening unit (m3/h)
X = solids concentration (mg/L)
A = horizontal thickener surface (m2)

 Hydraulic retention time:

Where:
HRT = hydraulic retention time (hours)
h = water depth under weir (m)
V = net thickening volume (m3)
Factors determining the gravity thickening unit operation are as follow:

 Sludge origin and characteristics.
 Flocculation nature.
 Influence on the process of returned solids on the water effluent.
 Solids load on the thickener.
 Solids retention time in the thickening area.
 Sludge blanket depth.
 Hydraulic retention time.
 Thickener form and slope.
 Velocity induction originated by the purge.
 Purge flow.
 Feeding system.

Table 2.- Values for general design parameters.
TYPE OF SLUDGE
PARAMETERS PRIMARY SLUDGE ACTIVE SLUDGE MIXED SLUDGE EXTENDED STABILIZED SLUDGE
(low and half load) (1st and 2nd) AERATION SLUDGE OR
AEROBIC DIGESTION
SOLIDS LOAD < 130 < 35 < 70 < 35 < 35
(kg/m2.day)
HLR < 1.40 < 0.45 < 0.9 < 0.45 < 0.45
(m/hour)
SLUDGE HRT > 24 > 24 > 24 > 24 > 24
(hours)
THICKENED SLUDGE 8 - 10 2-3 4-7 2.5 – 3.5 2 – 3.5
CONCENTRATION (%)

Specific technical considerations:
 Overflow collection will ensure both its proper distribution along the trough and the elimination of
problems caused by the floaters.
 The central baffle height will be higher than 35% of central tank depth and its feeding will be carried
out through aerial pipeline.
 In thickeners with scrapers, the slab shall have a minimal slope of 10%.
 The material used for sludge scrapers will be defined, and special emphasis will be given to sizing of
the dragging geared motor, that will have to absorb the torque originated by the scrapers, for which
the uniform solids load per scraper lineal meter will be at least 40 kg/m.
 Gravity thickeners must be covered and leak free, but facilitating inspection operations, scrapers
maintenance and reparation, as well as the deodorization system, if applicable, will have to receive
special attention.
 Thickeners, with diameter under 5 meters and hopper floor (slope greater than 45º and lower than
60º) do not have scraper systems.
 The compaction cone is equipped with mixing blades that prevent excessive static sludge
compaction.
 The discharge pipelines must have large diameter so as to avoid clogging problems.
 A perimeter weir bringing water to the plant head is usually available for disposal of flows
incorporated to the thickener.
 The sludge extraction from the central tank can be performed through valves or by direct suction
with pumps. The extraction system should have the possibility to be timed. It may be even necessary
to carry out the collection at different levels.

Figure 6.- Basic sketch of flows in a gravity thickener.
Achievable sludge concentration depending on the sludge type to be thickened:

Table 3.- Typical sludge concentrations non-thickened and thickened by gravity.
SLUDGE CONCENTRATION, %
TYPE OF SLUDGE NON-THICKENED THICKENED
Separately:
Primary sludge 2 – 7 / 2.5 - 5.5 / 5 – 10 / 8 – 10 / 8 – 10
Sludge of trickling filter 1 – 4/ 4 -7 3–6/7–9
Biodiscs 1 – 3.5 2-5
Active sludge 0.5 - 1.5 / 0.5 - 1.2 2 – 3 / 2.5 - 3.3 / 2-3
Extended aeration sludge 0.2 - 1.0 2-3
F+Q Sludge with metallic salts 0.5 – 1.5 3-4
Aerobic stabilization sludge 2.2 – 3.5
Together:
Primary sludge and trickling filter 2–6/3-6 4–9/7-9
Primary sludge and biodiscs 2-6 5-8
Primary sludge and active sludge 2.5 – 4 / 2.6 - 4.8 4.6 - 9.0 / 4 - 7
2.6.- Operating problems

Table 4.- Summary of operating problems in sludge thickening system.
PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED CAUSES POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

Low and unusual purge Increase frequency and/or purge flow
Septic odors or rise of the sludge
Excessive hydraulic retention
bed Reduce the retention time
time
Reduce the volume extracted from the
High hydraulic load
system
Low thickening concentration
Frequent or high flow purge Reduce pumping inflow
Short circuits Baffle installation
Sludge losses in weir located
Height in weirs Maintenance
sections
Accumulation of very dense Sludge agitation near the collector with
sludge pressurized-water lances
Increased torque of scraper system Fallen objects, included from
Maintenance
the system itself
Sand cemented sludge Review grit removal operation
Review of full valve opening,
unclogging with pressurized water and
Sludge clogging in discharge pipes Very high concentration
decreased concentration due to a purge
increase
Irregularities and bulking in weirs Biofilms Pressurized-water cleaning
Continuous sludge loss all over the High hydraulic load Reduce the inflow
weir High solids load Reduce influent concentration

3.- THICKENING BY CENTRIFUGATION/BY CENTRIFUGES
3.1.- Fundamentals of thickening by centrifuges
The centrifuges are used to both thicken and to dehydrate sludge. Their application for the thickening is generally
limited to the activated sludge thickening.
The separation process of sludge solid-liquid phase using thickening centrifuges is very similar to the one that takes
place in the gravity thickening; the difference is that with the centrifuges, a centrifugal force being 500 to 3000
times greater than the gravity force is applied to the sludge, and it causes the suspended solids separation and
concentration. The centrifugal force application on the sludge leads to the movement of the suspended solids,
moving away from the centrifuge rotation axis.
The most commonly used centrifuges in the sludge thickening are the horizontal axis ones. Their main elements
are a cylindrical drum with truncated cone shape on an end and a spiral conveyor screw. They are equipped with a
motor to produce the drum and screw rotation, and the devices for the sludge and clarified liquid disposal.
The screw and drum rotate at a different velocity. The sludge is fed into the unit continuously and the solids
concentrate in the periphery. The spiral screw that rotates at a slightly different velocity moves the accumulated
sludge to the truncated cone end, where an additional solids concentration is carried out prior to discharge.
Depending on the progress of thickened sludge and clarified liquid within the centrifuge, two types of centrifuges
can be distinguished:
 Centrifuges working via a current flow: the sludge and clarified liquid move in the same direction.
 Centrifuges working via a counter-current flow: the sludge and clarified liquid move in opposite directions
(more common).
At present, there is a wide range of models in the market, whose characteristics vary according to the manufacturer,
and the one that best suits the sludge conditions must be elected.
Figure 7.- Sketch of a centrifuge working via a counter-current flow (Alfa-Laval).
Generally, the centrifuges are used for the biological sludge thickening and occasionally to reduce the volume of
the sludge already stabilized.
The use of this equipment for the primary sludge thickening is not recommended due to its high settling capacity
and because they contain materials that might be abrasive for the centrifuge equipment. It should be noted that
such equipment is expensive, so extra care and maintenance should be taken.
Under normal conditions, the centrifugation thickening can be performed without polymer addition. However, the
energy and maintenance costs of the process may be considerable. This process is interesting for medium and large
plants, with limited space and where skilled labor force is available, or in plants with sludge difficult to thicken with
other techniques.

3.3.- Design
The factors affecting the process are as follow:
A) Centrifuge design parameters:

 Flow factors.
 Co-current flow operation.
 Counter-current flow operation.
 Drum and screw geometry.
 Diameter.
 Length.
 Angle of the conical section, etc.
 Factors related to the sludge and polymer.
 Situation of the feeding points.
 Maximum rotational velocity.
B) Operating parameters:
 Drum velocity.
 Differential velocity between the drum and the screw.
 Sludge feed factors.
o Hydraulic load.
o Solids load.
 Flocculant usage.
C) Sludge characteristics
 Particle and floc size.
 Particle density.
 Viscosity.
 Temperature.
 SVI.
 Sludge age.
Of all these, the basic parameters for the process control would be:
 Feeding sludge concentration and flow (hydraulic and solids load).
 Polymer concentration.
 Differential velocity between the drum and the screw.
 Thickened sludge concentration and flow.
 Clarified liquid concentration and flow.
The most important variables in the centrifuge operation are the hydraulic load and the solids load that feeds it.
The former concerns the clarified liquid quality and the latter is related to the sludge dragging capacity within the
centrifuge. An increase in the feeding flow will prejudice the solids recovery in the process and/or will involve
greater polymer consumption. Any change in the solids load shall be accompanied by a change in the differential
velocity between the drum and the screw. The highest thickened sludge concentration is achieved with the
minimum differential velocity and a flow being in line with the sludge transport capacity.
Although it is not entirely necessary, the use of polymers is recommended for the optimization of the process. The
use of polymers allows for increased hydraulic load in the centrifuge, as well as for higher yields in the thickened
sludge concentration and in solids recovery. If the thickened sludge concentration normally obtained is between
3% and 6%, the polymer addition provides concentrations of 8%. The solids recovery increases from 85-90% to 90-
95%.
The type of polymer to be used and its concentration will be dependent on the characteristics of the sludge to be
thickened. It is advisable to test with different types before deciding on a specific one.

[This epigraph has been intentionally left blank)
It is common the centrifuge yields to be quantified by the capture percentage, defined as follows:
 Cr  Cc  Cs  
Capture _ percent  1  
 Cs  Cc  Cr  
Where:
Cr = solids concentration in the clarified water resulting from the process (rejection or centered), mg/L, in %.
Cc = solids concentration in the cake, from the thickened sludge, mg/L, in %.
Cs = solids concentration in the fed sludge, mg/L, in %
Table 5.- Concentration ranges and polymer use.
PARAMETER VALUES
Inlet sludge concentration (%) 0.3 – 1.5
Thickened concentration (%) 3 - 10
Capture efficiency (%) 50 - 97
Polymer consumption (kg P/ t MS) 0-5
4.- THICKENING WITH BAND FILTERS BY GRAVITY BELT THICKENERS
4.1.- Fundamentals of thickening by thickening tables
This system is rooted in dehydration band filters. The equipment consists of a band moving on rollers driven by a
variable-velocity motor. The sludge conditioned by polymer is conducted into a distribution-feeding chamber
located at the end of the unit. This chamber is used to distribute the sludge uniformly over the full mobile band
width, while water drains through it and the sludge is guided to the discharge end. Along the way over the band,
a series of blades/wedges cut and form furrows in the sludge, allowing the released water to pass through the band.
Once the thickened sludge is removed, the band goes through a washing cycle. The belt should be washed with
pressurized water at a certain frequency to prevent the blockage of its pores. Such frequency will depend on the
used polymer quantity and type.
In thickening tables, the sludge concentration takes place via drainage of the free water present in it when this is
deposited on the porous horizontal belt that is in motion.
This system consists of the following equipments:

 Sludge pumping.
 Polyelectrolyte preparation equipment.
 Thickening belt.
 Belt cleaning system.
 Sludge collection equipment.
 Filtering collection equipment.

Figure 8.- Basic scheme of a thickening table.
Such equipment is specially indicated for gross activated sludge and digested sludge, and requires polymer
addition. Occasionally, it can be used to thicken primary sludge and is not successful in physical-chemical sludge.
4.3.- Design
Design parameters:
 Hydraulic load: Main design parameter of a thickening table. The feeding hydraulic load is expressed in
terms of flow per belt width.
 Solids load.
Design criteria:
Hydraulic load:
Table 6.- Typical values for an active sludge in a concentration of 0,5-1% are the following ones.
BELT WIDTH (m) HYDRAULIC LOAD (L/s.m)

1.0 6.3 – 15.5
1.5 9.5 – 23.5
2.0 12.5 – 31.5
3.0 19 - 47
Solids load:
Table 7.- Solids load depending on the sludge type.
TYPE OF SLUDGE SOLIDS LOAD FINAL CONCENTRATION

(kg MS/m.h.) (%)
Primary and biological mix 30 -40 6–8
Extended aeration 20 – 30 3–5
Sludge coagul+floccul. with metallic salts 5 - 15 2-5
The polymer amount to be used ranges between 1.5 and 4.5 kg/t MS.
Flocculation time is estimated between 20 and 40 seconds.


The main variables the operator has in order to achieve optimum process yield are the following ones:
 Amount of polymer to be used.
 Sludge density.
 Belt velocity.
The following table lists the influence of different variables on the results to be achieved:
Table 8.- Influence of the different parameters on the results to be achieved.
VARIABLES THICKENED SLUDGE SOLIDS RECOVERY USED POLYMER

CONCENTRATION QUANTITY
Increase in the sludge D D A
feed flow
Increase in the feeding A A/N D
sludge concentration
Long sludge age D D A
Decline in the belt A A N
velocity
Belt blockage D A A
Low pressure washing D D A
Low volume of wash D D A
water
A: It increases D: It decreases N: It does not vary.
[Este apartado está en blanco de forma intencionada]
Table 9.- Expected final concentrations.
TYPE OF SLUDGE FINAL CONCENTRATION (%)

Active sludges 4-8
Primary and biological mix 6–8
Extended aeration 3–5
Sludge coagul+floccul. with metallic salts 2-5
Digested sludge up to 10
The solids recovery is usually around 90-98%.
5.- ROTATING DRUM THICKENERS
5.1.- Fundamentals of thickening by rotating drum
Thickening by rotating drum consists of a biological sludge conditioning system (including the polymer feeding)
and cylindrical rotary sieves. The sludge is mixed with the polymer inside the mixing and conditioning drum, and
then the sludge passes through a series of rotary sieves (baskets) that separate flocculated solids from water. The
thickened sludge exits at the end of the drums, while the water is filtered through the sieves.
The solid-liquid phases present in the sludge are separated by filtration by passing sludge, flocculated with a
reagent, through a rotating drum that is the filter element capable of retaining this sludge and separating it from
water. The system requires the use of a coagulant-flocculant agent, usually organic, of cationic polymer type.
The main elements of the system are:

 Sludge feeding pumps
 Polyelectrolyte dosing and preparation equipment

 Drum
 Filtrate or draining output
 Sludge output
Before feeding the drum with the sludge to be thickened, polymer addition is performed (directly in the conduction
or through an in-line mixing system). Once the flocculation has taken place, the conditioned sludge is introduced
into the drum, along which it advances. As the drum itself is a filter medium, because it is equipped with a mesh or
sieve, the flocs are retained and the released water drains outwards. The sludge output already concentrated is
found at the end of the drum. On the other hand,, filtered water is collected and sent for processing.
The cleaning of the drum filter mesh is a key factor in order to avoid its blockage and is performed with pressurized
water, fed through a number of nozzles.
Rotating drums are used for the thickening of biological sludge, usually derived from processes of active sludge
and extended aerations.
They can also be used in a thickening prior to some dehydration systems, such as filter presses.
Not very high investment cost, little space requirement and no odor emission in the process are their advantages
over the other thickening systems. However, they have the disadvantage of the high polymer concentration
needed and the degree of attention required.
These systems are commercialized in different sizes depending on the sludge flow and its concentration. The
system often has certain variables which may be modified in order to optimize the operation in response to
changes in the type, concentration or even in the sludge flow to be treated, although it is advisable to work within
certain limits that should be specified by the equipment supplier.
5.3.- Design
 Solids load.
 Hydraulic load.
The variables on which action can be carried out for optimizing the process are as follow:
 Sludge feed flow.
 Type of reagent.
 Reagent concentration.
 Reagent feed dosage.
 Agitator velocity in the flocculation reactor.
 Sludge transport velocity along the drum.
Polymer dose will be dependent on the sludge flow to be thickened, on its concentration and settling capacity. In
general, the necessary polymer dose will be increased with the VS amount and SVI.
The polymer amounts needed vary depending on the sludge type, but they are usually high, around 6 kg/t MS. In
any case, it should be taken into consideration that the non-formation of flocs may be due to both a low amount
of added polymer and an excess of this, though in the latter case, the sludge concentration results can be improved
by increasing the sludge transport velocity.
The drum velocity will be determined by the sludge feed flow so as to maintain a specified output concentration.
When the sludge transport velocity along the drum is high, some turbulences may occur inside, resulting in low
quality filtering.

The drum inclination is another element to be taken into account. Very high inclination angles may lead to a
product with higher concentration, but reduce drum capacity. The inclination degree should be determined on the
spot in each case.
The drum rotational velocity is usually in the range of 5-20 rpm.
Biological sludge thickenings about 3-4% are obtained with polymer addition.
6.- SPECIFICATIONS IN THE TREATMENT OF SLUDGE OF TEXTILE INDUSTRY


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VERNICK, A.S:; WALKER, E.C.; (1981); "Handsbook of wastewater treatment process"; Marcel Dekker Inc.; Nueva York.
VESILIND, P.A.; (1974); "Treatment and disposal of wastewater sludges"; Ann Arbor Science Publishers, INc.;
Michigan.
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291-7522-9.
WEF; (1980); "Sludge thinkening"; MOP FD-1; Water Environmental Federation; Alexandria, Virginia; 159 págs.
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Alexandria, Virginia; 1342 págs.
WEF - ASCE; (1992); "Desing of municipal wastewater treatment"; MOP 8; Water Environmental Federation; 2 vol.;
American Society of Civil Engineering; Alexandria, Virginia; 1592 págs.

WEF; (1993); "Guidance manual for polymer selection in wastewater treatment plans"; Water Environmental
Federation; Alexandria, Virginia; 212 págs.
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ANNEX 1
ESTIMATE OF REQUIRED AREAS
ESTIMATE OF REQUIRED AREA FOR GRAVITY THICKENING
SOLIDS LOAD (kg/m2.day)
Adopted value 35 130
Approximate
FLOW Concentration Solid flow 2
REQUIRED AREA (m ) diameters
(m3/h) (g/m3) (kg/h)
(m)
1.00 2000 2 1.4 0.3 1.3
2.00 2000 4 2.7 0.5 1.9
3.00 2000 6 4.1 0.8 2.3
4.00 2000 8 5.5 1.0 2.6
5.00 2000 10 6.9 1.3 3.0
6.00 2000 12 8.2 1.5 3.2
7.00 2000 14 9.6 1.8 3.5
8.00 2000 16 11.0 2.0 3.7
9.00 2000 18 12.3 2.3 4.0
10.00 2000 20 13.7 2.5 4.2
20.00 2000 40 27.4 5.1 5.9

Estimate of gravity thickening table sizes (AquaBelt trademark is used as a reference).


Estimate of required area for centrifuges (PIERALISI trademark is used as a reference).


ANNEX 2
GRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION OF PROCESS UNITS
Figure 1
General view of a gravity thickener with scraper bridge
Figure 2
General view of a gravity thickener with scraper bridge.

Figure 3
Detail of bottom scrapers and mixing pickets.
Figure 4
Detail of the central baffle at the sludge feeding inlet.

Figure 5
General view of a thickener with a concrete coverture.
Figure 6
General view of a thickener with plastic covering.

Figure 7
Gravity thickener with floating sludge problems.
Figure 8
Gravity thickener with floating sludge problems.

Figure 9
Metallic sludge thickener with hopper bottom.
Figure 10
General view of a thickening centrifuge.

Figure 11
Thickening centrifuge scheme.
https://www.flottweg.com/es/la-gama-de-productos/centrifugas/
Figure 12
General appearance of a centrifuge (Alfa-Laval).
http://local.alfalaval.com/es-es/key-industries/wastewater-treatment/carteraproductos/pages/default.aspx
Figure 13
Rotating conveyor detail in a centrifuge (Alfa-Laval).
http://local.alfalaval.com/es-es/key-industries/wastewater-treatment/carteraproductos/pages/default.aspx

Figure 14
Gravity belt thickener.
Figure 15
Gravity belt thickener operation scheme
Figure 16
Final appearance of a thickened sludge

Figure 17
Gravity belt thickener view. (OMEGA 30 THC).
Figure 18
Gravity belt thickener elements detail. (EMO-Environment by tecnology).

Figure 19
Rotating drum sludge thickener (ROTAMAT-HUBER, RoS 2).
Figure 20
Rotating drum thickener operation scheme (ROTAMAT-HUBER).

Figure 21
Basket thickener for biological sludge (Alfa–Laval).
Figure 22
Basket centrifuge (Alfa-Laval).

Figure 23
Basket detail in a thickener
Figure 24.
General view of a discscreen thickener (HUBER - ROTAMAT® RoS 2S sized for 35 m3/h).

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FS-FNG-001

TECHNOLOGY FACT SHEETS

SLUDGE THICKENING (FS-FNG-001)

Authors Joaquín Suárez López

Amendments Date Amended by Modification objective

1.- SLUDGE THICKENING

2.- GRAVITY THICKENING

3.- THICKENING BY CENTRIFUGATION/BY CENTRIFUGES

4.- THICKENING WITH BAND FILTERS BY GRAVITY BELT THICKENERS

5.- ROTATING DRUM THICKENERS

6.- SPECIFICATIONS IN THE TREATMENT OF SLUDGE OF TEXTILE INDUSTRY

1.- SLUDGE THICKENING

1.2.- Thickening process types

Major factors that influence:

Typical processes are as follow:

Each of these will be further assessed below.

2.- GRAVITY THICKENING

2.1.- General description of the unit

Figure 1.- Gravity thickener plan and height.

Reagents are often not used in order to improve thickening.

2.2.- Fundamentals of concentrated suspensions settling-thickening

Figure 3.- Zonal settling behavior of a sludge.

Figure 4.- Kynch test. Zonal settling.

Figure 5.- Scheme of thickener areas.

2.3.- Utility and applicability

2.3.1.- Design parameters

 Hydraulic retention time:

Factors determining the gravity thickening unit operation are as follow:

2.3.2.- Design criteria

2.4.- Specific technical considerations

Figure 6.- Basic sketch of flows in a gravity thickener.

2.5.- Expected results

Achievable sludge concentration depending on the sludge type to be thickened:

2.6.- Operating problems

PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED CAUSES POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

3.- THICKENING BY CENTRIFUGATION/BY CENTRIFUGES

3.1.- Fundamentals of thickening by centrifuges

Figure 7.- Sketch of a centrifuge working via a counter-current flow (Alfa-Laval).

3.2.- Utility and applicability

A) Centrifuge design parameters:

3.3.2.- Design criteria

3.4.- Specific technical considerations

[This epigraph has been intentionally left blank)

3.5.- Expected results

Table 5.- Concentration ranges and polymer use.

4.- THICKENING WITH BAND FILTERS BY GRAVITY BELT THICKENERS

4.1.- Fundamentals of thickening by thickening tables

This system consists of the following equipments:

Figure 8.- Basic scheme of a thickening table.

4.2.- Utility and applicability

4.3.1.- Design parameters

4.3.2.- Design criteria

BELT WIDTH (m) HYDRAULIC LOAD (L/s.m)

TYPE OF SLUDGE SOLIDS LOAD FINAL CONCENTRATION

Flocculation time is estimated between 20 and 40 seconds.

Table 8.- Influence of the different parameters on the results to be achieved.

VARIABLES THICKENED SLUDGE SOLIDS RECOVERY USED POLYMER

4.4.- Specific technical considerations

[Este apartado está en blanco de forma intencionada]

4.5.- Expected results

Table 9.- Expected final concentrations.

TYPE OF SLUDGE FINAL CONCENTRATION (%)

The solids recovery is usually around 90-98%.

5.- ROTATING DRUM THICKENERS