Sludge minimization by disintegration at different wastewater treatment plants
Luchien Luning1, Paul Roeleveld2 and Victor W.M. Claessen3
Corresponding author E-mail: luchien.luning@grontmij.nl; fax: ++31 30 695 63 66 Grontmij Nederland Consulting Engineers, P.O box 203, 3730 AE De Bilt, The Netherlands, www.grontmij.com. Waterboard Aa en Maas, P.O. Box 5049, 5201 GA's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands, E-mail: vclaessen@aaenmaas.nl
ABSTRACT
In recent years new technologies have been developed to improve the biological degradation of sewage sludge by anaerobic digestion. The paper describes the results of a demonstration of ultrasonic disintegration on the Dutch Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Land van Cuijk. The effect on the degradation of organic matter is presented, together with the effect on the dewatering characteristics. Recommendations are presented for establishing research conditions in which the effect of sludge disintegration can be determined in a more direct way that is less sensitive to changing conditions in the operation of the WWTP. These recommendations have been implemented in the ongoing research in the Netherlands supported by the National Institute for wastewater research (STOWA).
Keywords: Anaerobic digestion; active sludge; sludge disintegration; ultrasound; cost reduction
