Off-line particle size analysis of digested sludge

Particle size analysis was carried out on six samples of digested sludge using laser diffraction. The digested sludge was produced in laboratory-scale reactors under different feed regimes based on a mixture of primary and waste activated sludge (WAS). Laser diffraction proved capable of providing rapid, reproducible results of the particle size distribution of each sample, and highlighted differences between the different treatments. An increase in the level of WAS in the digester feed sludge led to a shift in the size distribution, with a decrease in the number of smaller sized particles.