Often the best solution to a wastewater management problem is to employ a combination of mechanical dewatering and chemical separation technologies. The variety of these processes meets expansion demands cost-effectively and exceeds current permitting discharge requirements.
These combined systems provide supplemental water benefits, reduced sludge disposal costs, and smaller reaction vessels. This results in blended wastewater treatment cost competitive with conventional treatment costs.
Environmentally Friendly
Aside from the obvious benefits of reducing water use, mechanical dewatering can also help to reduce energy costs as it reduces the need for a gas-powered pump and filter. In addition, it lowers disposal fees as clean water can be released safely and legally, such as into a storm drain. Another advantage of mechanical dewatering is that it helps to remove contaminates from the waste stream. This can be done with different technologies, including belt presses, centrifuges, and geomembranes.
Cost Efficiency
One of the main reasons mechanical dewatering is considered the best wastewater management solution is its cost efficiency. This significantly impacts whether or not to spend money on technology.
This is because the sludge produced by mechanical dewatering is often dry and high in solids, making it easier to transport. This also means there is less risk of spilling sludge onto roads, which can be an expensive problem.
Dewatering with chemicals has another advantage: it can lessen the amount of sludge that must be transferred to a landfill. This can result in significant transportation cost savings.
A lot of money can be saved on disposal costs by using the chemical dewatering process to lower the amount of sulfur dioxide utilized. This can reduce the size of the ponds and the amount of land required to operate them, which can be especially helpful in cases where sludge is disposed of in lagoons or open settling ponds.
Increased Productivity
Dewatering equipment can increase the productivity of a wastewater plant and reduce the amount of sludge produced by the treatment process. This can save the plant money on transportation, storage, and disposal costs.
The most common mechanical dewatering methods are centrifuges, filter presses, and geotextile bags. These devices use a polymer to separate the solids from the liquid waste stream.
A standard mechanical sludge dewatering method employs gravity drainage and pressure to squeeze the sludge between opposing belts held in place by rollers. The system is usually high-tech and requires expert design.
These systems can achieve an 18-30% sludge concentration and produce dry solids cake for land application or burning. However, they often have sludge with a high water content. Consequently, only a tiny percentage of the sludge can be disposed of using conventional fuels for burning or gasification.
Flexibility
Removing extra water from the sludge during dewatering is an important stage in wastewater treatment. It has several advantages and can be done in a variety of ways.
For instance, it can help control the sludge’s nutrient load and remove heavy metals and other nonbiodegradable pollutants. It can also improve the sludge quality to make it more environmentally friendly for disposal.
This can significantly benefit plant owners, especially if they want to minimize the disposal cost. This will save them money and reduce their environmental impact.
It is essential to consider various factors when choosing a dewatering method for your facility, such as the size of the site and the regulations in place. Considering these factors will ensure you get the best results and value for your investment.