Elsevier

Desalination

Volume 227, Issues 1–3, 30 July 2008, Pages 103-110
Desalination

Characterization of synthetic and activated sludge and conditioning with cationic polyelectrolytes

Presented at the First Oxford and Nottingham Water and Membranes Research Event, 2–4 July 2006, Oxford, UK.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2007.07.016Get rights and content

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of cationic polyelectrolytes on the final properties of synthetic and activated sludge. Synthetic sludge was prepared according to established procedures. Activated sludge was produced in a labscale, continuous-flow reactor which was fed with live activated sludge from a waste-water treatment plant. Capillary suction time (CST) was used to evaluate the sludge dewatering behaviour. The results from experiments indicated that the cationic polyelectrolytes had a critical effect on sludge dewatering, and made an improvement in the final properties of sludge. The two types of sludge have very similar dewatering characteristics after cationic polymer conditioning. The development of synthetic sludge is suggested also to be a possible surrogate for studying the final properties of activated sludge.

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