Processing and Costs

Abstract

It is just about two years since the previous COST 68 Symposium was held, in Brighton. During this interval, research and development on the many aspects of sewage sludge and animal manure processing have continued at a steady pace and progress has been made. But we must not expect too much in the way of dramatic new discoveries, new developments or marked reductions in costs in the relatively short space of two years. It has been said that distinct developments and trends in the field of sludge and slurry processing are really only discernible over ten year periods or longer. Thus, it is not surprising that we do not have much really ‘new’ to discuss in this session but, rather, some useful reviews, some important surveys and some interesting pointers for future research. All this should help to concentrate our research resources, and our minds, on the most important areas for future research and the most likely fruitful areas for costs reductions and improved plant performance.