Sludge Dewatering
With Tramfloc Polymers

A continuing challenge in your plant's total water or wastewater treatment scheme is better handling of waste sludges. Hauling and disposal costs have steadily increased and high capital costs for new equipment force plant operators to get the most out of existing dewatering systems.

Whether it's dewatering of influent clarifier and softening sludges, or primary or secondary wastewater sludges, the goal remains the same...Maximum Performance at Minimum Cost.

As dewatering energy is applied to an unconditioned sludge, compression of solids results in the blinding or plugging of the avenues of egress of the escaping water. Unconditioned fine solids will also plug these avenues increasing pressure drop across the unit and decreasing the efficiency of water removal (see Figure 2). In addition, fine particles can pass through the filter only to be returned to the system in the filtrate or centrate.

Polymer conditioning produces a rigid sludge structure with a porosity that allows for effective water drainage. Fine solids are agglomerated into this rigid structure increasing the efficiency of the unit in both solids recovered and the resulting clean filtrate.

Tramfloc incorporates sludge conditioning products into effective dewatering programs. Whether operating a belt press, vacuum filter or centrifuge, Tramfloc offers the most technically advanced dewatering products and programs for application in your sludge handling system. Benefits of a Tramfloc Dewatering System include:

• More production from existing equipment
• Production of drier cakes occupying less volume and reducing the weight of final sludge
• Improvement in solids capture producing a cleaner filtrate or centrate
• Elimination of the need for inorganic coagulants reducing difficulty in dewatering and lowering the weight of the cake produced
• Availability of cationic, nonionic and anionic products in liquid, powder and emulsion forms allowing the greatest flexibility in tailoring a program specific to your needs and compatible with your system.

An effective sludge dewatering program is more than the application of chemicals. An effective program relies on a firm understanding of the goals of your treatment system, optimization of your dewatering operations and a comprehensive data collection and monitoring program.

From influent to waste sludges, your Tramfloc Representative knows dewatering systems. Using tools such as the Buchner funnel, filter leaf, capillary suction or cylinder test kit, reliable dosages can be pinpointed (see Figure 3).

Engineering Specialists stay in constant touch with equipment manufacturers which allows for implementation of the most up-to-date operating techniques into our programs.

The computer-based Operational Statistical Summary (OSS) will track operating data and report trend analyses that assist in identifying possible operating problems, thereby assuring proper control.

These capabilities enable Tramfloc to develop a customized program that results in better operating efficiency, economy and treatment effectiveness.

The Buchner Funnel Test is one means of comparing filtration characteristics of treated and untreated sludges in dewatering applications. By gathering bench data on Buchner filtration time and filtrate volume, and combining these with actual filter pressure, filter area, sludge solids concentration and filtrate viscosity, the resistivity of the sludge can be calculated in accordance with the following equation:

Comparing the inverse of the sludge resistance (relative dewaterability) of the various treatment options, the most effective program may be selected. A typical comparison can be illustrated by the accompanying bar chart.

Last Updated January, 2012