Assessment of potential technologies for sludge filtration (LA23)

ISSUE

As part of a cost optimization process, the client seeks to identify methods to reduce the humidity of the sludge from its treatment plant to reduce the costs of disposing of solids. STS Canada was therefore contacted to identify potential technologies to achieve this objective. STS Canada also had to identify the modifications necessary to implement following the implementation of the proposed technology to optimize the subsequent flotation and filtration operations.

TECHNOLOGICAL CHALLENGE

The challenge linked to the realization of this project consisted in identifying the large number of possible solutions applied to the current treatment process to reduce the moistures content in the sludges. Also, with the multiple choices that can be implemented, it was necessary to identify their potential of interactions.

RECOMMENDED SOLUTION

STS Canada first established the characteristics of the mud using laboratory analysis. This step made it possible to better understand the characteristics of the cake obtained at the outlet of the band filters. This information also made it possible to anticipate and better predict the effect of the various possible process changes on the dryness of the cake. Subsequently, more than a dozen different options for reducing the moisture content of the sludge were considered. Finally, their feasibility, costs and respective gains were assessed to identify the most cost-effective solution.

RESULTS

Following the intervention of STS Canada, the implementation of three (3) optimizations provided a reduction of the humidity content in the sludge from the customer's treatment plant as recommended. These low-cost modifications made it possible, according to initial estimates, to reduce the sludge humidity content by almost 9%, which, for the station, represented savings of nearly $ 1 million / year in disposal costs.