Optimizing Polymer Consumption in Sludge Dewatering Applications

As we move into the 1990's, upgrading of existing wastewater treatment plants is becoming a very important consideration. Although upgrading can take many forms, one of the most economic is to optimize the performance of the existing equipment and structures. In the realm of sludge dewatering, also an increasingly important topic, an area which has received little attention in the past is the control of the sludge conditioning process prior to dewatering. In conjunction with the Wastewater Technology Centre in Burlington, Canada, ZENON Water Systems Inc. has developed the Sludge Conditioning Controller (SCC) to fulfill this need in the wastewater marketplace. A description of both the hardware and software aspects of the SCC are presented. In addition, typical operating performance of the microprocessor-based system is shown. Experience with full scale systems has revealed that the benefits associated with the SCC far exceed the original objective of saving polymer. The others include automation of the dewatering device operation, increased capacity, and more uniform performance of the dewatering machine.