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Surplus activated sludge dewatering in pilot-scale sludge drying reed beds.

A I Stefanakis¹, C S Akratos, P Melidis

¹Laboratory of Ecological Engineering and Technology, Department of Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Democritus University of Thrace, 67100 Xanthi, Greece.

Journal of Hazardous Materials

|September 2, 2009

Summary

Sludge drying reed beds effectively dewater surplus activated sludge (SAS), achieving up to 90% volume reduction and high dry weight content. Treated sludge offers comparable fertilizer value without chemicals.

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Area of Science:

Environmental Engineering
Water Treatment Technologies
Bioremediation

Background:

Surplus activated sludge (SAS) dewatering is a critical challenge in wastewater treatment.
Conventional dewatering methods can be costly and energy-intensive.
Phytoremediation offers a sustainable alternative for sludge management.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the efficacy of pilot-scale vertical flow sludge drying reed beds (SDRBs) for dewatering SAS.
To assess the impact of different loading rates on dewatering performance.
To determine the characteristics of the treated sludge and its potential as fertilizer.

Main Methods:

Utilized two pilot-scale SDRBs planted with Phragmites australis.
Operated beds on a cycle of one week feeding with SAS and three weeks of rest.
Applied SAS at loading rates of 30 kg/m(2)/year and 75 kg/m(2)/year.
Incorporated atmospheric oxygen diffusion via perforated PVC tubes for enhanced aerobic conditions.

Main Results:

Achieved effective dewatering of SAS, resulting in high dry weight content.
Demonstrated significant volume reduction, up to 90%, dependent on initial SAS concentration.
Observed decomposition of organic matter and high levels of mineralization.
Confirmed that percolating water was not septic.
Treated SAS exhibited comparable fertilizer value to conventionally treated sludge, without chemical additives.

Conclusions:

Planted SDRBs are a viable and effective technology for dewatering SAS from domestic sewage.
SDRBs promote significant sludge volume reduction and mineralization.
The treated sludge possesses valuable fertilizer properties, presenting an eco-friendly disposal option.