- Title
- Influence of nanoparticles on the polymer aided dewatering of wastewater sludges
- Creator
- Boyle, N. J.; Evans, G. M.
- Relation
- 6th IWA International Conference for Young Water Professionals (IWA YWPC 2012). Conference Proceedings of 6th IWA International Conference for Young Water Professionals (Budapest, Hungary 10-13 July, 2012)
- Publisher
- International Water Association
- Resource Type
- conference paper
- Date
- 2012
- Description
- The effect of using small scale, high surface area, nanoparticles to supplement polymer conditioned wastewater sludge dewatering was investigated. Aerobically digested sludge from Belmont WWTW and waste activated sludge from Shortland WWTW were tested with titanium dioxide nanoparticles. The samples were dosed with the nanoparticles in an attempt to adsorb a component of the charged biopolymer surfactants present naturally in sludge. The sludge was then conditioned with a cationic polymer. The dewatering characteristics were assessed by measuring the specific resistance to filtration through a modified time to filter testing apparatus. The solids content of the dosed samples was determined by a mass balance around the system and compared to the original solids content in the activated sludge. Test results indicated that the use of nanoparticle addition did modify the structure of the sludge and provided benefits in terms of the dewatering rate. The samples dosed with nanoparticles exhibited faster water removal indicating a more permeable cake. The sludge was also tested with a larger particle powdered activated carbon as a comparison. It was found that the powdered activated carbon did provide some benefit to sludge dewatering but the nanoparticles performed better. The solids content of the final sludge was increased by a maximum of up to 0.6%. A concentration of 2-4% nanoparticles was required to achieve a noticeable benefit. The impact of the order sequence was also investigated. It was found that nanoparticles added before polymer addition provided the best dewatering performance. This outcome was consistent with current theories and previous research through literature. An economic analysis was undertaken to confirm the viability of the technology for implementation at a full scale plant. It was found that currently, this technology is unlikely to be favourable unless the nanoparticles can be sourced for a low cost.
- Subject
- dewatering; sludge; nanoparticles
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/1062954
- Identifier
- uon:17180
- Language
- eng
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