Optimization of sewage sludge conditioning and pressure dewatering by statistical modelling

By using a quadratic model, an assessment was made of the relative importance of different sludge and polyelectrolyte variables with respect to sludge pressure dewatering. It was seen that the polyelectrolyte characteristics and dose dominated the cake dry matter content and that sludge properties were less important, especially the electrophoretic mobility of the sludge, which showed a restricted natural variability over the 10-month sampling period. The developed quadratic model in this study appeared very well suited to quantitatively predict the pressure dewatering properties of sludge, allowing the selection of the dose and polyelectrolyte type that yield the best dewatering result. It was further shown that relatively small deviations from the optimal polyelectrolyte dose caused only small changes in cake dry matter values. The model appeared to be applicable on a long-term basis, as it was able to predict the dewaterability of several sludge samples from the studied wastewater treatment plant after more than 3 years. Finally, the model also allowed an (simplified) economic evaluation, indicating that for high cake disposal costs, the polyelectrolyte should be taken that guarantees the best dewatering results, even if it has to be applied in high doses.