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Investigation of sludge disintegration using vortex cavitation circulating fluidised grinding technology
Liang Dong1, Tong Zhao1, Yahui Cui1
1Xi'an University of Technology, School of Mechanical and Precision Instrument Engineering, Xi'an, Shanxi, 710000, China.
Journal of Environmental Management
|January 15, 2023
Summary
Vortex cavitation circulating fluidised grinding technology (VCCFGT) effectively disintegrates waste-activated sludge (WAS), significantly increasing soluble chemical oxygen demand and reducing particle size. This novel circulating fluidisation technology (CFT) shows promise for efficient sludge treatment.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Engineering
- Waste Management
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Waste-activated sludge (WAS) poses a significant pollution challenge from sewage treatment plants.
- Effective sludge disintegration is crucial for improving treatment efficiency and resource recovery.
- Existing methods may have limitations in efficiency or economic feasibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and evaluate vortex cavitation circulating fluidised grinding technology (VCCFGT) for waste-activated sludge disintegration.
- To investigate the influence of operational parameters such as disintegration duration, pressure, and mill ball filling ratio.
- To compare VCCFGT performance against conventional methods like ball-milling and vortex cavitation.
Main Methods:
- VCCFGT was employed to treat waste-activated sludge.
- Key parameters including disintegration time (60 min), pressure (0.30 MPa), and mill ball filling ratio (1.6%) were optimized.
- Sludge disintegration was assessed through chemical analyses (SCOD, DNA, protein, carbohydrate, NH4+-N) and physical evaluations (particle size, morphology).
Main Results:
- VCCFGT significantly increased SCOD, DDSCOD, DNA, protein, carbohydrate, and NH4+-N by 218-371% compared to treatments without mill balls.
- Sludge particle size was reduced by up to 83.25%, with smaller floc morphology observed.
- VCCFGT demonstrated a 93.60-98.12% reduction in mill ball filling ratio compared to ball-milling and showed superior disintegration (229% increase) and economic feasibility over vortex cavitation.
Conclusions:
- Circulating fluidisation technology (CFT), specifically VCCFGT, is highly effective for sludge disintegration and bacterial cell wall disruption.
- Grinding, alongside centrifugal force, shear force, cavitation, and cyclic fatigue, plays a primary role in sludge disintegration and organic release.
- VCCFGT presents a promising and economically viable technology for waste-activated sludge treatment.
