19.2. Dewatering of Sludge by Filtration

Chap.
19: Sludge treatment
2. DEWATERING OF SLUDGE BY FILTRATION
2.1.
MATHEMATICAL
REPRESENTATION OF
FILTERABILITY
(See page 178 and page 372)
Filtration is by far the most widely used
method in the treatment of sludge produced
by wastewater treatment. Filtration can
consist solely of drainage through sand
beds or it may be "mechanical" under
vacuum, mid- or high-pressure conditions
which
require
more
sophisticated
equipment.
Despite the diversity and highly complex
mixture making up sludge suspensions,
their filterability can be represented by a set
of mathematical laws.
2.1.1. Specific resistance to filtration r
Specific resistance r is defined as the
resistance to filtration (or passage of the
filtrate) of a quantity of cake deposited on 1
m2 of filtering surface area and containing
1 kg of dry product.
Based on general laws covering surface
filtration, several assumptions can be made:
- resistance of the filtering material (Rm) is
negligible as compared to the specific
resistance r of the cake (except in the event
of clogging up or very tightly meshed
material),
- replacement of W, weight of suspended
solids deposited per unit of filtrate volume,
by C, concentration of suspended solids of
sludge-laden liquid (except for very dense
suspensions).
The simplified formula of r gives:
where:
P: filtration pressure
?: absolute viscosity of filtrate
S: filtering surface area
a: slope of the straight line obtained in the
filterability test
It is general practice to establish
comparisons between sludges using r0.5 as a
baseline (coefficient of filtration under
differential pressure of 0.5 bar or 49 kPa).
For mixed digested IWW sludge, r0.5 values
are usually in the region of 1014 to 1015
m.kg -1 . These values are incompatible with
a direct passage on the mechanical filter,
hence the obligation to use conditioning
agents to improve filterability. For
carbonate sludges which are much more
hydrophobic, initial r0,5 values are very low
(about 1 to 5 x 1011 m.kg -1 ), and no aid is
required.
2.1.2. Sludge compressibility coefficient
When the differential pressure is
increased, the pores of the cake close up,
thus increasing resistance to filtration:
r = 2S r0,5 PS = r'PS
The value of s, defined graphically by the
slope of the straight line:
(see
figure 618), intervenes on filtration rate:
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2. Dewatering of sludge by Mtration
s< 1:
filtration rate increases with

increasing P,
s > 1: filtration rate decreases with
increasing P.
Insoluble crystalline substances or those
morphologically related (ferrous oxide
sludge, gas scrubbing or carbonate sludge,
for example) do not compress easily
(s<0.6); application of high pressures
assists in compression. For sludge with
high compression capacities (s between 0.6
and 1), such as that conditioned by
inorganic reagents or thermal procedures,
high pressures (10-15 bar) may still be
worth applying. When s approaches the unit
(limed hydroxide sludge, or organic
municipal sludge which is insufficiently
conditioned by ferrous salt and lime), it is
sometimes possible to simply apply average
pressures (7-10 bar) as higher pressure
means longer filtration times for a
minimum gain in DS content.
When s is greater than 1 (highly protidic
organic sludge with polyelectrolytes, for
example), the application of high pressures
is sometimes unnecessary (see figure 619)
as it may have little influence on the final
DS content of the dewatered cake.
The gradual increase in pressure (slow

consolidation of the filtration cake),
presents a certain advantage as it slows
down settlement of the cake and facilitates
the drainage of highly compressible sludge.
2.1.3. Dryness limit
When sludge is filtered at a high
differential pressure (from 5 to 15 bar), the
filtration curve
presents
characteristics shown in figure 620.
the
Chap. 19: Sludge treatment
The curve presents two main sections:

- a straight section AB over which the
general law of filtration applies as in the
case of a lower differential pressure (0.5
to1 bar for example),
- an asymptotic section CD, over which
an increase in filtration time yields no
further increase in the volume of filtrate.
This "blockage" is the result of complex
phenomena
such
as
differential
settlement of the cake and deformation
of agglomerate matter under pressure.
"Dryness limit" SL is defined as cake
dryness obtained after "infinite"
filtration time (in practical terms, when
there is no further filtrate run-off. The
filtrate volume VL is a logarithmic
function of pressure P. Carman's curve is
supplemented by an asymptotic section

defined by:
Plotting curves for SL = f(P) for highpressure

filtration,
facilitates
approximate determination of the
pressure to be applied to obtain the
required degree of dryness. The selected
pressure must be such that the operating
point is below point C in order to
maintain acceptable operating conditions
(satisfactory filtration rate).
The value of SL is an essential indication
for forecasting performance of different
mechanical filtration devices and for
defining the sludge treatment procedure.
This is important since the choice of
2.Dewatering of sludge by filtration
conditioning technique may have an

influence on dryness limit or choice of
applied pressure.
The table below gives a sample of
dryness limit values SL at 15 bar:
Type of sludge (and conditioning)
SL
(% DS)
Extended aeration with polyelectrolyte 22-26
Extended aeration with FeCl3 + lime
33-38
Mixed digested with thermal conditioning 60-68
Mixed digested with FeCl3 + lime
42-48
Mixed' digested with polyelectrolyte 26-32
Carbonate (without magnesium oxide) 75-85
Activated sludge with polyelectrolyte 15-18
Paper pulp with 80% fibre content
32-36
* 50% of low fibre primary sludge and 50% of
biological sludge.
2.2.
DRYING BEDS
2.2. 1. Sand ,ids
The drying of sludge on drained sand
beds was, for a long time, the most
frequently used method. This technique
is no longer so widespread due to:
- the large surface areas needed, - high
labour costs involved,
- performance which is very dependent
on climatic conditions and does not
allow, in a large number of regions,
regular disposal of produced sludge. In
temperate climates, natural drying may
take up to one hundred days per year.
Large size drying beds are feasible if
they are equipped with travelling bridges
allowing mechanical recovery of dried
sludge as well as spreading of liquid
sludge across the whole surface area
(figure 623).
SL can only be overridden by using heat

energy. For a given conditioning
procedure, dryness levels achieved
industrially can more or less approach
this SL value depending on the rate and
application mode of the mechanical
energy used.
On highly protidic organic sludge
(aerobic stabilised sludge, for example),
conditioned with polyelectrolytes and
presenting low SL levels, it serves little
purpose to use devices for applying high
pressures: dryness yield obtained at
under one bar is very close to dryness
limit levels anyway.
Natural dewatering should only be

used with well stabilised sludge
(digested anaerobic or after extended
aeration).
Depending on climatic conditions,
drying times vary from three weeks to
one month and a half for 30 to 40 cm of
liquid sludge.
Drying areas generally include (see
figure 622):
- a first layer comprising a 20-cm layer
of gravel (15-30 mm). Drains are
installed at the bottom of this support,
- a second filtering layer comprising a
10 to 15-cm layer of sand (0.5 to 2 mm).
For obvious reasons, the draining
system must be situated above the water
table.
Dewatering comprises a first drainage
phase followed by atmospheric drying.
DS content can reach 40 or even 60% in
the event of optimally sunny weather
conditions.
If beds are fed at a single point, it is

difficult to extend their width beyond 8 m
for a length of 20 m. Mechanical collecting
of dried sludge enables beds to be 20 m
wide and one kilometre long (figure 624).
Investment costs are, however, high.
Drying bed yield can be improved by

conditioning sludge with polyelectrolyte;
its implementation is easy and becoming
more widespread. Draining velocities are
thus considerably enhanced. Nevertheless,
drying times remain dependent on climatic
conditions. When they are very
Figure 621, Non-mechanised 8 x 20-m drying beds.
2. Dewatering of sludge by filtration
favourable, drying can be carried out in

two weeks. In damp climates, it is advis able to cover beds. The process, however,
is not as efficient as mechanical dewatering filters.
If the treatment plant is sufficiently

large, the best solution is to install a me
chanical filtration system for the periods
during the year when beds are no longer
operational.
Figure 623. Installation at Acheres, Paris area, France, for the S.I.A.A.P. Travelling bridge for
sludge spreading and collection.
2.2.2. Dehydro drying beds

The overall configuration is similar to
that of conventional beds except that the
sand layer is replaced by a rigid,
permeable floor. With this technique,
however, achieving high dry solids
levels is not the main objective. Priority
is given to fast rotation of beds (24- to
48-hour cycles) rather than the actual
drying phase. Sludge is preflocculated
with polyelectrolyte before being sent to
the bed floor comprising porous plates
for obtaining a well-clarified filtrate.
After a first draining phase, the zone
under the floor is slightly depressurised
to enhance the run-off of
2.3.
VACUUM
FILTRATION
This is the oldest continuous
mechanical dewatering technique and
currently has limited applications. The
vacuum filters most commonly used to
drain waste sludge are of the rotary
drum (surface area reaching up to 80
m2 ) and open-tank type. Other filter
configurations (disc filter) have very
few applications.
2.3.1. Description and operation
The rotary drum filter (see figure
625) consists of a revolving cylinder
which is partially submerged in a tank
containing the sludge for filtering. This
cylinder is formed by the juxtaposition
of a number of compartments which are
sealed off from one another and covered
with a single filtering cloth. The
the
interstitial
water
freed
by
flocculation. The cake is quickly
drained and then consolidated by fast
atmospheric drying. It is collected
manually, or more frequently by a small
mechanical shovel. The surface of the
bed is spray washed between each cycle
to prevent clogging.
These beds are suitable for small- and
mid-size purification plants. Very short
cycles allow dewatering of about 300 to
600 kg of SS per day and per 72 m2 (6 x
12 m) bed, while producing manageable
sediment with low dryness levels (12 to
16% DS for extended aeration sludge
and 11 to 17% for drinking water
sludge).
compartments in turn enter a vacuum or

the atmosphere by means of a "valve
mechanism".
The filtration cycle is as follows:
a - Submerged part of the drum: with
the vacuum effect, sludge accumulates
on the cloth and forms the cake which
gradually thickens (1 to 3 cm). Filtration
time is 1 to 2 minutes.
b - Upper part of the drum: the moist
cake layer leaves the tank, and under
vacuum conditions, is drained for a few
minutes to form a cake of sufficient
cohesion (or even cracked).
c - Discharge of cake: after an almost
complete
rotation
cycle,
the
compartments leave vacuum conditions.
Up until then the filter cloth has been
applied to the drum. At this stage, the
cloth detaches to enable separation and
discharge of the cake (5 to 15 mm). The
filtration support is then washed with
pressurised water.
With continuous washing of the cloth,

the vacuum filter offers consistent
performance and can also function with
thin cakes.
Sludge is filtered under industrial
vacuum conditions of 300 to 600 mm of
mercury. Rotation speed of the drum varies
from 8 to 15 revolutions per hour. Filtering
cloths are made of synthetic fibres with
mesh spaces varying from 30 to 100 gm

(SS of filtrates are generally less than 300
mg.l-1 ).
In the case of sludge that is liable to clog
the system (oily sludge, for example), the
addition of a precoat (sawdust) is often
used as a filtering support. A micrometer
advancing scraper removes a precoat film
together with the cake.
This precoat process is rarely used as

centrifuging is the treatment of choice for
oily sludge.
2.3.3. Calculating the rate of chemical

conditioning
To
obtain
acceptable
operating
conditions, the specific resistance to
filtration r must be very low; between 1 and
2.3.2. Production capacity
3x1011 m.kg -1 . This imposes:
Production capacity is expressed in kg of
- reserving the filter under vacuum
dry solids retained per m2 of drum surface
conditions for dense inorganic sludge with
per hour. Usable filtration capacity should
2
high natural filterability (carbonate sludge,
be more than 15 kg/m .h.
for example),
The production capacity L of a vacuum
- or using large quantities of reagents on
filter may be calculated by integration of
more difficult, colloidal sludge.
Carman's equation for the effective filtration
Plotting curves giving the L filtration
time to = nT (where T represents total drum
capacity in relation to the different reagent
rotation time and n the immersion fraction):
dosages (ferrous salt and lime for organic
sludge), highlights the realistic area of
operation for each type of sludge. A
production capacity of 20 kg /m2.h should
be overstepped if satisfactory dis charge of
where
the filtration cake is to be achieved
k = correction factor depending on the fil-ter medium's
own resistance
(k taken be-tween
0.75 0.6
and 0.85),
(filtration
cake thickness
greater than
2
P =effective vacuum in kg.cm (gener-ally
0.7 mm) (see figure 626).
0.5),
C = concentration of sludge in kg, dm-3,
Inorganic
reagents
(or
thermal
SF=dry solids content of filtered cake in %,
conditioning) are adapted for sludge
treatment prior to vacuum filtration.
? = viscosity of the filtrate in centipoises
Satisfactory dewatered cake consistency and
(1.1 at 20C),
low adherence to the filtration cloth are
r = specific resistance of sludge under 0.5
11
-1
required.
bar in 10 m.kg
n = drum immersion factor taken between
The use of polyelectrolyte is not,
0.3 and 0.4,
however,
suitable (except for a few
T = rotation time in minutes.
inorganic or fibrous sludges). In this case,
This relation shows the value of high
the drop in specific resistance is
sludge concentration (L = kand of
considerably higher, thereby provoking the
keeping the filter medium clean (factor k).
formation of a soft, thick cake with low
cohesion properties. It is thus difficult to
maintain the cake on the drum, dewater it
and then scrape it efficiently.
The table below gives a sample of the

results obtained for sludge that can
Origin of sludge
Primary municipal
Municipal mixed
digested (% primary
sludge>75% on SS)
Steel works Converter
gas scrubbing
Lime softening
(Fe<1% on SS)
(Mg<0.5% on SS)
Clarified oily
(Refinery)
Coal washing
be vacuum filtered on an industrial scale:
Conditioning
Filter
capacity
DS content
of cake
kg DS/m2.h
25-30
20-25
% DS
26-32
22-26
FeCl3/SS
%
3-5
6-g
Ca(OH)2/SS
70
15-20
30-35
Thermal
conditioning
18-25
26-33
50-70
55-65
40-60
40-50
25-30
-
Vacuum filtration is being used less and

less due to:
-high energy consumption for achieving
vacuum conditions (from 80 to 150 kWh
per tonne of SS for mixed municipal
sludge),
- high dosages of reagents for most
organic or hydroxide sludges. Even with a
Others
7-13
with precoat
Polyelectroly
25-30
te
0.3 kg. -1SS
30-35
35
very high rate of conditioning

(inorganic addition greater than 50% on
SS), filterability of certain highly
colloidal sludge remains insufficient and
vacuum filtration is to be precluded,
- maintenance constraints (scaling of
vacuum circuits, liquid ring pump and
filter cloth).
2. Dewatering of sludge by Fltration
2.4.
PRESSURE FILTRATION IN
WATERTIGHT CHAMBERS
Filtration is carried out by filter
presses allowing very high pressures to
be applied to the cake (5 to 15 bar and
sometimes more).
This enables cake DS content to
achieve levels of more than 30% on
most properly conditioned organic or
hydroxide sludges.
2.4.1. Conventional recessed plate filter
presses
This pressing technique is the most
widespread despite its intermittent
operation. Investment is relatively high
in comparison with other processes such

as belt filters (see page .
2.4.1.1. Description
A filter comprises a set of vertical,
juxtaposed recessed plates (1), pressed
hard against each other by (a) hydraulic
jack(s) (2) at one end of the set (see
figure 628).
This vertical plate layout forms
watertight (3) filtration chambers
allowing easy mechanisation for the
discharge of cakes ("filter opening).
Finely or tightly meshed (10 to 300
m) filter cloths (4) are applied to the
two grooved surfaces of these plates
The sludge to be filtered arrives (5) under

pressure in the filtration chambers through
orifices (6) generally in the centre of the
plates. The alignment of these orifices
serves as a feed passage for the sludge.
Central feed allows even distribution of
flow, pressure and better drainage of sludge
within the chamber.
Solid sludge matter gradually accumu lates in the filtration chamber until the final
compacted cake is formed.
The filtrate is collected in the grooves at
the rear of the filtration support and carried
away by internal ducts (7). This form of
evacuation reduces odours and is preferred
to the "plate-by-plate" method (for organic
sludge at least).
The pressure applied to the joint face of
each filtering plate must withstand the
chamber's internal pressure developed by
the sludge pumping system. The pressure
generated by plate jacks) is evenly spread

due to an intermediary moving head. This
head is usually assembled on rods or bearings so that the thrust always operates
according to a horizontal axis even when
dried sludge has accumulated on the lower
joint faces after a certain operating time.
Figure 629. Discharge of a filter press cake.
2.4.1.2. Operation technologies

These are usually distinguished by:
- the filter plate support system: either
lateral on two longitudinal bars (see figure
631) or by suspension to one or two upper
rails (see figure 632),
- individual plate separation system
(electromechanical or hydromechanical),
- closing system: one or several jacks
(generally hydraulic),
- cloth washing system,
- and safety coefficients for frame-support
calculations.
The largest filter press units comprise up
to 150 plates 2 m square. The
total filtration surface is about 1,000 m2

and volume of chambers 15,000 1 (with 3cm thick cakes) for a ground surface area
of less than 40 m2
Small units are also available. They
comprise twenty or so plates 0.4 m square
(less than 5 m2 of filtration surface).
Filtering pressures generally applied are
in the region of 13 to 15 bar. On some
sludges where DS content achieved at 5 to
7 bar is close to maximum limits, filter
presses engineered for these specific
pressure rates are used.
The depth of filtration chambers (and
therefore, the final cake thickness), must be
selected in relation to the sludge. For low
concentration sludge that is difficult to
filter, low thicknesses should be adopted
(about 25 mm). For dense sludge with
good filterability, greater thicknesses (40 to
50 mm) avoid cycles that are too short and
penalizing to operating personnel. The
most commonly used thickness is around
30 mm which has the advantage of yielding
heavy cakes that are easy to discharge.
This thickness is generally adopted for the
majority of municipal sludge with a cycle
time of 2 to 4 hours.
Plates are made of different materials:
polypropylene is the most common in midsize units. Cast iron is still used for large
units. Steel coated with moulded rubber is
also sometimes used.
Each plate comprises several evenly spaced
bosses (see figure 630). These avoid
deformation or breaking of the central part
of the filtering plates in the event of
incomplete filling of the filter press.
If a filtration chamber remains empty

or only partially filled, the effort from
the juxtaposed chambers is sustained by
the bosses which are placed opposite
each other. When filling is complete,
this effort is usually sustained by the
cake itself.
In most cases, filter cloths are of a
synthetic
monofilament
weave
(polypropylene or polyamide-Rilsan, in
general). The cloth is most commonly
assembled on a coarser sub-cloth for
better discharge of filtrate, more
efficient washing and reduced tension
on the finer filtration cloth, especially at
the end of the pressing process. With
highly colloidal hydroxide sludges,
closer, multifilament weave cloths are
used to prevent fines entering the
filtrate.
2.4.1.3. Filtration cycle

The filter press is an intermittent
dewatering process.
Each pressing operation comprises
the following phases:
Closing of the press
As the filter is completely empty, the
moving head activated by the jack(s)
clamps the plates. Closing pressure is
selfregulated throughout filtration.
Filling
During this short phase (5 to 10
minutes), chambers are filled with
sludge for filtration. Filling time
depends on the flow of the feed pump.
For sludge having good filterability r0.5
< 1011 m.kg -1 ), it is best to fill the filter
very quickly so as to avoid the
formation of a cake in the first
chambers before the last ones have been

filled.
Filtration
Once the chambers have been filled,
continuous arrival of sludge to be dewatered
provokes a rise in pressure due to the
formation of an increasingly thick layer of

filtered sludge on the cloths. Maximum
filtration pressure is usually achieved in half
an hour. The filtering process can last
anything from 1 to 6 hours depending on the
depth of chambers and filterability of the
sludge.
Figure 632. Barueri facility (Brazil) for the town of Sao Paulo. Three filter presses consisting of
150, rail suspended 2 m x 2 m plates.
Figure 633. Small 600 x 600 mm plate-and-frame filter press.
The filtration phase can be stopped:

- either manually,
- by a timer,
- or more conveniently, by a filtrate flow
indicator which issues a stop alarm when
the end-of-filtration rate has been reached.
This is usually about 10 to 20 1 per m2 of
filtering surface and per hour.
When the filtration pump has stopped,
the filtrate circuits and central duct, which
is still filled with liquid sludge, are purged
by compressed air.
Figure 635. Barueri facility, Brazil, for the

town ofSao Paulo.
Figure 636. Moulle facility, Northern France,

for LE-Dumez. Capacity: 2,000 m3 .h -1 .
Production ofdrinking water.
Filter opening
The moving head is drawn back to
disengage the first filtration chamber. The
cake falls as a result of its own weight. A
mechanised system pulls out the plates one
by one. Plate separation speed can be
modified to account for the more or less
sticky texture of the cake.
Under normal operating conditions, filter
opening procedures last from 20 to 30
minutes for large units.
This phase requires the presence of an
operator as minimal conditioning rates,
clogged cloths or grooves often require
manual intervention for complete ejection of
the cake.
In comparison with other dewatering
devices, the filter press requires more
manual labour because of filter opening
monitoring. Other procedures, however, can
be automated.
Another vital operation must be added to
these four phases - washing especially the
filtration support and filtrate drain grooves.
Washing of cloths should be carried out
every 15 or 30 pressing operations. For midor large-size units, this takes place on-press
using water sprayers at very high pressures
(80 - 100 bar) (figures 634, 635 and 636).
Washing is synchronised with separation of
plates. Washing a filter cloth lasts 2 to 4
hours. Some manufacturers now propose
fully automated washers that no longer
require operator surveillance.
directly in the closed filter by circulation of

an HCl solution.
When the high-pressure washer fails to
wash filter grooves thoroughly (highly
compacted sludge and lime), sand blasting
can be carried out on the cast iron plates
(every 3,000 to 6,000 cycles).
2.4.1.4. Filtration capacity
The production capacity of a filter press
is somewhere between 1.5 and 10 kg of dry
solids per m2 of filtering surface (for a
pressing time of 6 to 1 hours).
In practical terms, selected pressing times
are less than 4 hours. One of the advantages
of the filter press is that it can accept sludge
with average filterability. A resistance r0.5 of
50 x 1011 m.kg -1 is still acceptable, whereas
sludge with concentration rates of about 40
g.l-1 requires a resistance r0.5 of 15 to 20 x
1011 m.kg -1 . To keep pressing times
reasonable (2 to 3 hours with 3-cm cakes),
resistances of 5 to 10 x 1011 m.kg -1 should
be obtained.
These figures assume a compressibility
coefficient of less than 1 and preferably less
than 0.8.
Depending on the specific resistance r
and compressibility s (factors determined
under laboratory conditions, see pages 372
and 374), an approximate calculation of
filtration time can be deduced from filtration
laws (see page 178) with the introduction of
a correction factor k to allow for clogging of
cloths:
Carbonation of cloths can be overcome

either by disassembly and soaking them in
an appropriate solution, or
where:
tf = filtration time in minutes,
C = concentration of conditioned sludge (SS)

in kg.l-1
dg = density of final cake in kg.l-1
? = filtrate viscosity in centipoises (1.1 at
20C
r or r0.5 = specific resistance under P =0.5 bar
of the conditioned sludge in 1011 m.kg -1
s = compressibility coefficient
P = maximum filtering pressure in kg.cm-2
e = filtration chamber thickness in cm
SF = final DS content of cakes as a fraction of
their mass
k = clogging coefficient of cloths
(k = 1.2 to 1.3 up to about 500 pressing
operations, k = 1.5 thereafter).
The production capacity L of filter production
in SS of conditioned sludge, is given by:
with:
tcy = time (h) of total cycle = tf + td + tr
where:
td = filter opening and closing time
and:
tr = filter filling time (5 to 15 minutes).
In practice, filter production capacity is
deduced from cake drying at 105C, and is
therefore expressed in kg DS/m2 .h (see
chapter 5, paragraph 6.2.1).
Filtration time depends on:
- cake thickness (e2),
- sludge concentration (1 /c),
- specific resistance r0.5
- compressibility coefficient
It is always advantageous to optimally

thicken sludge before filter press operations.
Although sludge presenting a high filterability
enables better production capacities, a filter
press still accepts sludge with low
conditioning precision. This tolerance means
that the device offers greater overall
operational safety.
After the first few minutes, the collected
filtrates generally have a low SS load as
filtration takes place through a precoat layer
of a forming cake. Filter presses, therefore,
ensure the highest separation rates (more than
95% in many cases).
2.4.1.5. Performance
Table 81 shows that the filter press is suitable
for almost all sludge types. The following
comments apply to the different groups of
sludge:
hydrophilic organic sludge: inorganic
conditioning is often recommended as lime
conditioning enables satisfactory cake release
due to minimal adherence to the filter cloth.
The use of polyelectrolyte is possible (see
paragraph 1.1.2) but spongy cakes are often
longer and more difficult to detach; fouling of
cloth is also quicker: washing may be
necessary every 5 to 10 pressing operations.
The use of polyelectrolytes instead of lime
should be decided once industrial tests have
been carried out, as the success of the method
is not infallible and users tend to abandon
cake discharge if cakes are too sticky. Fibrous
sludge is best adapted to conditioning by
polyelectrolyte;
.hydrophilic inorganic sludge: the filter
press generally requires the addition of lime
only;
hydrophobic inorganic sludge:

this dense sludge is ideal for the filter press
and is dewatered without any preliminary
conditioning. This is mainly due to the low
compressibility coefficient (less than 0.6)
and crystalline nature of particles. In this
case, size of particles is a determining
factor in production capacities. DS levels
are often greater than 50%;
and diaphragm pumps should be used with

automatic flow adjustment in relation to the
head loss in the filter.
It is also possible to use either piston or
eccentric rotor pumps. They do, however,
have lower flow rates and are more liable to
wear and tear.
On sludge with good filterability and in

oily sludge: oils are usually present in large units, preliminary filling with a highemulsion form or are adsorbed on particles. rate centrifugal pump allows faster
The filter press can be used to treat sludge chamber feed and shorter pressing times.
containing light oils (with frequent
recovery in the filtrate). The presence of
grease can sometimes impair the smooth
running of the filter; cloths have to be
degreased at frequent intervals. Lime
treatment is the most suitable treatment for
oily sludge.
2.4.1.6. Operation
The feed rate of a filter press is more or less
constant at the start of filtration, but
steadily decreases in time. It is, therefore,
virtually impossible to slave inorganic
conditioning to the filter feed rate. This
requires the installation of an intermediary
buffer tank to store conditioned sludge
during the filtration cycle. Conditioning is
thus totally independent of the filtration
rate (figure 607).
With polyelectrolyte conditioning and
where sludge quality is appropriate, almost
instantaneous flocculation can be carried
out in pipes. Flocculation rates must be
proportional to sludge rates.
Close attention must be paid to the method
of feeding filter presses. Piston

Table 81. Filter press performance.
Cloth service life is highly variable, but

1,500 to 2,000 cycles are frequently
achieved in well maintained facilities.
Cakes are collected beneath the filter. They
are first broken on steel cables, then they
are continuously discharged by a conveyor
system (belt or chain configuration in an
enclosed area).
Filter presses need to be installed in a twostorey building.
2.4.2. Conventional plate-diaphragm Filter
presses
From the outside these filter presses look
similar to conventional plate-and-frame
filters. One of the internal sides of each
plate is lined with a plastic diaphragm (such
as the polypropylene plate with a built-in
diaphragm, see figure
637) or a rubber diaphragm (where fastened

to the plate, this diaphragm can be
disassembled and replaced, see figure 638).
The other side of the filtration chamber has
a conventional aspect: grooving on the
plate and a filtration cloth.
To
ease
filter
opening,
certain
manufacturers
(polypropylene-plate
diaphragm suppliers in particular), suggest
fitting diaphragms on both sides of the
filtration chamber. Filtration takes place on
just one side of the chamber or on both
sides: the diaphragm is therefore grooved
and lined with a filtering medium.
Production capacities are obviously
increased with dual-side filtration. This
process is now commonly used for filter
presses with diaphragm plates.
This type of filter offers the following
advantages:
- by inflation (air and sometimes water) of

the diaphragm, pressure is evenly spread
across the whole surface of the cake.
Uniform distribution is impossible on
conventional filter-presses as pressurisation
pump systems provoke pressure gradients
within the filtration chamber. With inflation,
DS content is therefore improved and cakes
are easier to discharge as they are more
homogeneous (elimination of moist areas
that are difficult to avoid with conventional
filter presses),
- feeding of sludge into the filter takes place
at a rate of up to 3 or 4 bar, with eccentric
rotor pumps where possible. Pumping times
depend on the filterability and concentration
of sludge. When the quantity of sludge is
sufficient, pumping is stopped and
pressurisation of diaphragms (7-10 bar)
continues dewatering,
- these filters are better adapted to
polyelectrolyte conditioning and offer
slightly easier filter opening. Nevertheless, as
for the conventional filter, industrial tests are
highly recommended as some types of sludge
(especially biological colloidal sludge)
cannot be properly filtered with this form of
conditioning,
- production capacities are enhanced: around
20 to 40% in relation to a conventional filter.
Cycles are shorter but cake discharge times
still take between 15 and 20 minutes. The
gain in filtration capacity is not always
guaranteed with sludge having average
filterability
and
high
compressibility
coefficients (s>0.7). This is the case for
organic sludge which has undergone
minimum conditioning.
Installations are sometimes more complex

(independent pressure fluid inlet for
diaphragms on each plate) and often more
costly. These filters require greater
maintenance (periodic replacement of
diaphragms) and all chambers must be
regularly and sufficiently filled at each cycle.
Sludge should not contain heterogeneous
matter as it may clog the chamber feed ducts.
These plate-diaphragm filters, although
widespread
in
industrial
process
environments, are less used with wastewater
sludge as monitoring of filter opening is
always necessary.
In spite of greater complexity, certain
manufacturers propose other mechanical
enhancements such as suspension of cloths to
a vibrating or moving system. Discharge of
sticky cakes, however, remains difficult.
2.4.3. Automatic filter presses
Even the most efficient conventional filter
presses with mechanical plate separation and
automatic fabric washing require operator
supervision to assist with discharge of cakes
for 20 to 30 minutes every 1 to 4 hours.
A new type of fully automated filter press
has been developed to reduce these labour
costs.
2.4.3.1. Multicellular, vertical plate filter
press
These are plate-diaphragm filters. They
differ from conventional filters by the
following two innovations (see figure 639):
- the plates all open at the same time so
that cakes are discharged simultaneously.
Idle time is reduced to a few minutes but the
collection device must be calibrated
accordingly,
- when the filter is open, the filter cloths

suspended on a mobile system, unfold
downwards to force release of the filtration
cake. In the event of sticking, a filtering
support scraper is fitted to the bottom of
each plate. After discharge, when the filter
cloth returns to its original position, washing
with moderate pressure spraying is -carried
out.
With the plate-diaphragm system, cake
thickness can be limited to about 10 mm.
Filtering time is therefore reduced to about
10 to 20 minutes.
These filters offer production capacities
(kg/m2 .h) that are 5 to 10 times higher than
those of conventional filters. The major
drawback of these systems, however, is
initial investment costs which are 2 to 3
times higher than those of conventional
installations. Furthermore, certain operating

constraints have to be taken into account:
-the importance of monitoring and
maintenance of a complex mechanical
system: diaphragms, the rotation actuating
mechanism for filtration supports, positive
and negative pressure circuits for
diaphragms, mobile systems for feeding
sludge into the chambers, etc.,
- system reserved for very well conditioned
sludge containing no coarse heterogeneous
materials (fibres, etc.). Indeed, the major
drawback of these filters lies in the narrow
passage for the introduction of sludge into
the filtration chambers. These filters are
best reserved for sludge comprising fine,
homogeneous particles such as lime-treated
clarification sludge (hydroxide) or sludge
carbonate.
Figure 640. Automatic Falc rotary drum

filter press. Surface: 4 m2
When all the necessary precautions have

been taken, these filters can function
without the presence of an operator and
produce cakes offering good DS levels.
2.4.3.2. Multicompartment rotate drum
filter press
The filtering fabric is rolled around a
drum that has orifices for sludge feeding
purposes. Filtering cells (with or without a
diaphragm) are held in place by an external
jacket attached to the drum. The cells are
fixed to the fabric by a series of air plug
valves for sealing filtration chambers. An
orifice corresponds to each of the filtration
chambers. Sludge is fed through the orifices
by means of a rotary distributor driven by a
high-pressure sludge pump (figure 640).
Cake discharge is carried out by drum
rotation and unrolling of the cloth.
In the lower part of the device, the cloth
separates from the drum for scraping and
washing purposes.
Production capacities are 6 to 10 times
higher than those of a conventional filter:
fast filtration in thin 3- to 10-mm layers
and short cake discharge times of less than
1 minute.
These systems, with narrow passages for
sludge, are to be used for fine
homogeneous sludge only: surface
treatment, clarification sludge, carbonate
sludge. Production capacities are optimum
with specific resistance of conditioned
sludge less than 3 X 1011 m.kg -1 .
2.4.3.3.
The
Squeezor:
singlecompartment filter press with a
horizontal
plate-diaphragm
configuration
In contrast with the filter presses
described in previous paragraphs, this
system functions continuously for both
sludge feeding and cake evacuation.
Filtration is carried out according to
the thin layer (3 to 6 mm) technique via a

plate and diaphragm system.
The system comprises (figure 641):
a first part corresponding to a simplified belt
filter (page 994): sludge is conditioned with
polyelectrolyte (1), drained in the draining
zone (2) and pressed a first time in the roller
zone (3). The partially dewatered sludge then
enters (4) the pressing zone. Production
capacity is thus improved;
a second part similar to a watertight
filtration chamber: the cake which is evenly
spread in a thin layer between two filter belts
(5) is pressed on both sides by two filtering
plates. The lower plate is fixed in the vertical
plane; the upper plate is actuated vertically by
pneumatic jacks (effective filtration pressure
of 10 bar). To ensure continuous discharge of
the dewatered cake, the press assembly (6) is
mobile and moves forward with the belts; at
the end of the filtration phase, the press
releases a "thin cake" and quickly moves
backwards for application to the upper part of
the belt where the pre-dewatered sludge has

been placed during the previous filtration
period. System kinematics are adjusted so that
pressed thin cakes are juxtaposed.
Because of continuous cake discharge,
efficient preliminary thickening and cake
thinness, production capacities are 15 to 20
times greater than those of a conventional
filter press. In view of the wide feed section
of the pressing zone, this system can treat a
variety of sludge. A screening phase is
nevertheless recommended as a precaution.
Furthermore, as pressing times are very short
(1 to 2 minutes), it is best to reserve this
system for polyelectrolyte-conditioned sludge
presenting a low compressibility coefficient
(s<0.7) and dryness limit levels greater than
35% (organic sludge with fibrous texture,
lowhydrophilic municipal sludge, inorganic
sludge with hydrophobic tendencies).
As with all automatic filter presses, specific
maintenance constraints must be respected.
A variation on this filter is one with a
pressing module formed by several verti-
Figure 643. Facility at Vic-le-Comte, Central France, for the Banque de France.
Capacity: 1,500 kg of DS.h -1 . Two screw presses with a diameter of 600 mm
cal plate-diaphragm sets allowing an

increase in compression time or production water) are applied on the sludge. Formation
capacity.
of the "plug" is helped by the reduction of
the screw outlet passage (in general by an
2.4.4. Other presses:
adjustable shutter).
screw presses
The main application of these presses, on
paper-mill primary sludge with a high fibre
These devices enable effective dewatering content of over 50%, achieves DS levels of
of highly fibrous sludge only.
40 to 55%. A preliminary draining system
Screw presses consist of a screw (single or (GDE or screw) enables an increase of the
double) rotating at low speeds (a few device's mass capacities: 200 to 400 kg.h -1
revolutions per minute) which compresses of SS for a press with a bowl diameter of
the sludge in a perforated cylinder (see 300 mm and 600 to 1,000 kg.h -1 for a bowl
figure 642). Compression is made possible diameter of 650 mm. Compared with belt
by limiting the output of the "sausage" by filters, the consumption of polyelectrolyte is
formation of a plug of dewatered sludge at higher as floc has to be extremely resistant.
the screw outlet. Considerable force is Normal maintenance of these materials is
needed to push the plug. High pressures linked to wear phenomena of the screw and
(among the strongest for mechanical strainer. Their design and construction
dewatering systems) and high shearing account for the stress applied.
stress (for expulsion of interstitial
2.5.
BELT FILTERS
The size of flocs obtained by polyelectrolyte
conditioning (see page 955) has resulted in
the development of dewatering devices
specifically adapted to the treatment of
waste sludge. These devices are called belt
filters and are widely used for several
reasons:
- ease of use and good visual control during
dewatering,
- low operating and reasonable investment
costs,
- the continuous aspect of the process and
washing of filter belts,
- simplicity of mechanical design,
use of mineral additives often unnecessary
(sometimes sawdust or ash for oily sludge,
for example),
- production of easy-to-shovel sludge.
Depending on dewatering capacities of
sludge, these filters allow optimisation of
investments. Furthermore, they represent an
almost all-purpose energy-saving process:
belt filter:
10-25 kWh.t -1 of SS,
conventional filter press:
20-40 kWh.t -1 of SS,
centrifuge:
30-60 kWh.t -1 of SS,
vacuum filter:
50-150 kWh.t -1 of SS.
draining of freed interstitial water on a

filtering support. This causes rapid sludge
thickening. To achieve the best possible
performance, the drained sludge should be
as concentrated as possible,
- pressing of the drained sludge. The
sludge, which is of sufficient consistency, is
trapped between two filter belts which form
a wedge. They gradually compress the
sludge. The "sandwich" rolls around the
perforated drums and then around rollers
laid out in a staggered formation. The layout
varies according to the type of the filter.
Efficacy of dewatering depends on both the
effective pressure Pe applied on the sludge
sandwich and pressing time.
A simpler way of looking at this is by
considering that pressure Pe, called surface
pressure, has the following form:
with T: belt tension

W: belt width
D: roller diameter.
Pe is therefore obtained by the tension >f
belts around the rollers.
2.5.1. Filtration principle

The filtration process always comprises the
following stages:
- flocculation with polyelectrolytes, in
flocculators featuring short retention times,
or sometimes in pipes,
-draining of the flocculated sludge:
It remains reasonable (0.3 to 1 bar) due

to the mechanical resistance of filter
Pressing time depends on the active
pressing surface at the level of the
rollers (see figure 644) and the speed of
unrolling.
Water release is facilitated by sludge
shearing stresses at roller level and can
be carried out on alternate sides of the
sludge "layer".
Pressing operations on belt filters are
performed in an open environment: the
sludge blanket itself ensures lateral
sealing under pressure that it sustains
during progression. If pressure is too
high, the cohesion of the sludge layer is
destroyed and lateral squeezing out
occurs. This means that partially
dewatered sludge is laterally ejected
from the filtration area.
Pressure rates causing lateral squeezing
depend on the physical structure of
drained sludge. Dryness efficiency
obtained on belt filter presses is lower
than that achieved by recessed plate
filter presses.
To improve rates, two solutions are
available:
- multiply the number of rolling up
operations and reduce the diameter of
the rollers in the final phase of filtration
(within the limits of mechanical
strength),
- use external compression systems that
are independent of belt tensions.
These additional devices can only be
used with sludge having a high cohesion
factor, for example, fibrous sludge.
Colloidal sludge would not resist
additional compression or would allow
only a minimum gain in DS content.
belts and rollers. Pe is as high as the

diameter of the roller is small.
Conventional belt filters achieve
satisfactory results on most organic or
hydroxide sludge as dryness efficiency
is close to maximum values.
2.5.2. Superpressdeg filters
According to the desired final result and
quality of sludge for dewatering, several
filters are available.
2.5.2.1. Superpress ST
This standard version obtains optimum
results on a large number of sludges.
This is currently the most widely used
system. 99Figure 645 illustrates a
section diagram
of the device:
The sludge and flocculant are fed into a
mixer (1) fitted with a variable speed
stirrer. The flocculated sludge flows
onto a belt (2) in the drainage zone (3).
The sludge is evenly distributed across
the width of the filter by a rubber band
which prevents draining from taking
place too quickly and assists in the
spreading of liquid sludge.
In this drainage zone, the sludge layer,
after passing through a picket fence (4),
is spread in an even, homogeneous layer
by a drainage roller (5) allowing:
- introduction of a regular sludge layer
in the pressing zone (thickness variable
from 10 to 40 mm depending on the
operatorselected position),
- and above all, first-stage sludge
compression, so as to curb lateral
squeezing out at the start of the pressing
phase.
Chap.19:Sludge treatment
Figure 645. Section diagram of the Superpress ST filter.
Sludge is then trapped between the lower

(2) and upper (6) belts and undergoes a first
pressing operation around a wide diameter
perforated
drum
(7).
The
two,
continuously driven belts then pass over a
series of return rollers (8) with decreasing
diameters,
for
gradual
sludge
pressurisation. The number of rolling
operations is carefully selected so that
dewatering is almost finished before action
of the last roller.
At outlet, the two belts separate after
passing over the drive roller (9). The cake
is dislodged by two doctor blades (10) for
evacuation by conveyor belt or booster
pump.
Automatic tracking of belts is ensured by
an air-actuated pinch roller (11).
The two, wide-meshed belts are
continuously cleaned in wash stations (12)
by means of a pressurised spraying device

calibrated at 4-6 bar.
Simple adjustments allow adaptation of
filter operation to sludge characteristics:
- belt tension by pressure-adjustable
pneumatic jacks (13),
- drive speed of belts adjustable from 1
to 4 m.min -1 ,
- flocculation energy adaptable by
changing the speed of the flocculator
stirrer,
- adjustment of the height of the sludge
layer at entry to the pressing zone.
The Superpress filter chassis has been
engineered so as to enable:
- good visualisation of the drainage zone,
- easy access to mechanical workings. Belt
widths of 1, 2 or 3 m allow a certain
flexibility in the sizing of sludge treatment
workshops.
-
2.5.2.2. Superpress SP and SPI

Basic layout is the same as the ST version.
Increased anticorrosive protection reduces
maintenance costs for treatment of certain
corrosive sludges.
Pressing rollers are specially protected and
many elements are made of stainless steel
for greater ruggedness: flocculator, tanks,
washers, perforated drum, draining roller,
etc.
Strengthening of the driving device means
the system can accept highly cohesive
sludges requiring greater pressing stresses
(very fibrous sludges from paper mills and
certain inorganic sludges).
The SPI version includes a stainless steel
chassis.
2.5.2.3. Superpress SL (see figure 649)
This system (1-m wide) which is simplified
version of the ST, allows a certain number
of cost savings. The SL offers fewer rolling
features. When the filter is used on
colloidal sludge with low dryness limit
levels (extended aeration sludge, for
example), the reduction in pressing time
has little influence on cake dryness (loss of
1 to 3 points in relation to the ST version).
However, linear capacities of these filters
are often slightly reduced. The construction
quality of the ST or SP version is
maintained.
2.5.2.4. Superpress HD
The
HD
filter
ensures
excellent
performance on highly cohesive sludge in
severe industrial conditions. The filter's
robustness is specially suited to mechanical
stresses.
It reacts well to sludge with low

compressibility coefficients and high
dryness limit levels (mines, chemical and
paper industries, etc.). It can also be used
on other sludges (for example fibrous
municipal sludge) to increase filtration
capacities and/or approach sludge dryness
limit levels. On the other hand, gains in DS
content on sludge of mainly biological
origins are average and barely justify the
increase in capital costs.
The Superpress HD (see figure 650) is
different from the standard ST version by
the following aspects:
Construction
-heavier chassis,
-adapted belt driving mechanism,
- bearing plate with a double row of rollers
capable of withstanding longer, greater
stresses generated in rolling operations,
- anticorrosion feature identical to the SP
and SPI series,
- 3 to 5 times higher pressure applied to
sludge.
process
- active pressing surface over three times
larger,
- very gradual sludge pressurisation,
- higher belt speeds (up to 6 m.min -1 )
allowing an increase in capacities,
- the squeezing device at the system's outlet
enables a gain of several dryness points,
thanks to stronger applied pressures.
The Superpress HD rolling module
comprises
three
squeezing
rollers
positioned on two large diameter rollers
(see figure 652).
Once the cake has been well dewatered, it
undergoes additional compression by
passing between rollers placed opposite
each other. The spacing between these
rollers is less than initial cake thickness
(see figure 653).
Figure 647. Cake discharge from the Superpress system.
Figure 648. Superpress SP.
Chap.19:Sludge treatment
figure 649. Section diagram o the Superpress
2.Dewatering of sludge by filtration
Figure 651. Three-dimensional computer-aided drawing of the Superpress HD.

The release of water is carried out
alternately from one side, then the other, of.
the cake
.The pressure applied to the squeezing
rollers is carried out by air plug valves. It is
easily modified depending on the resistance

of the sludge layer
This squeezing device is only used on
sludge capable of withstanding additional
compression
.
2.5.2.5. Superpressdeg performance

There are no mathematical laws defining
production capacities for the Superpressdeg
system. Sizing is often a question of
experience acquired with similar sludge and
confirmed by a few simple laboratory tests
for determining parameters such as draining
rates, DS after draining, resistance to lateral
squeezing, DS after pressing. Pilot testing
on an industrial-scale pilot enables

streamlining of estimations.
Production capacities of belt filters are
expressed in kg of dry solids extracted per
metre of belt width and per hour. In
practice, the notion of feed rate in m per
metre of belt width and per hour is also
used.
Table 82 highlights the diversity of
performance (capacities and above all DS
levels) encountered in the main sludge
groups.
Table 82. Superpressdeg performance
Table 82. (Contd.)
Flow rates treated by ST or SP filters are

generally in the range of 6 to 8 m3 /m.h. With
fibrous sludges figures can reach 10 to 15
m3 /m.h.
2.5.2.6. Improvement of Superpressdeg
capacities: preliminary draining
Setting up of additional preliminary draining
facilities, GDE for example (see page 930),
after the Superpressdeg draining zone allows:
- increase in flow rates: for example,
municipal sludge with good cohesive
capacities: 10 to 13 m3 /m. h., or lowconcentration sludge from the paper industry:
20 to 30 m3 /m. h,
- maintaining of sufficient capacities for lowconcentration organic sludge. Preliminary
draining on the GDE screen enables filter
feeding with 10-15 g.l-1 of sludge which can
then be drawn off directly from the
recirculation system of an activated sludge
system. This allows treatment of nonfermented sludge, better DS content and
elimination of concentration tanks.
For this application, the GDE system is

integrated in the Superpressdeg structure (see
figures 654 and 655).
It is advisable to use the GDE system rather
than extending the length of filter drainage
zone. Continuous scraping of the filter media
avoids slowing down of drainage through a
sludge layer.
2.5.2.7. Using the Superpressdeg sys
tem
The conditioning installation (pipe injection
of polymer) is extremely simple (see page
958). The installation of the filter requires a
small, single-storey building. For total ease of
use and maintenance, a belt filter workshop
must be properly ventilated. Superpressdeg
systems can be fitted with an exhaust fan that
covers the whole of the upper part of the
device.
Operation
Keeping the roll of sludge upstream of the
drainage roller (figure 645) achieves
maximum evacuation of interstitial water by

trituration.
The filter must function without lateral
squeezing out. To ensure optimal operation,
variations can be made to polyelectrolyte
dosage, thickness of the cake on entry to the
press and to the tension or speed of filter
belts.
Percentage recovery is maximal when the
cake detaches properly from belts at filter
outlet.
With a belt filter, compromise between DS
and capacity is a major objective. Examples
are given in Table 82:
- to obtain maximum capacity, four
parameters have to be adjusted: belt travel
rates have to be faster (within lateral squeeze
out limits), the thickness of the sludge layer
on entry to the press increased (easy action on
the draining roller) and if required, polymer
dosage increased and filter belt tension
lowered,
- with a view to dryness limit, belt travel
speed has to be reduced as much as
possible and, within authorised limits,

pressure in the belt tension air plug valves
should be increased.
2.5.2.8.
Operator-free
operation
Superpressdeg
Superpressdeg can function without

operator surveillance due to system selfregulation from information provided by OnOff sensors. The aim of this automated mode
is to limit system surveillance as far as
possible by automatic starting and stopping of
the filter. Daily maintenance (washing,
greasing) is carried out as normal.
The regulation mode chosen (see page
1144) is a "downstream" control based on the
detection of three phenomena: lateral
squeezing out, build-up of sludge in the
drainage zone and rotation of the drainage
roller (see figure 656).
"Downstream" control
Causes of disturbance ->Effect (disturbance) >Fast detection of the dis -turbance >Remedies (swift action).
Figure 655. Facility at Saint Bon-Tarentaise, French Alps. Superpressdeg with an integrated GDE
screen.
This mode of control requires a relatively

reasonable investment and is managed by a
PLC.
The information provided by three sensors
(eight in all) enables automatic control of
sludge and/or polymer flow rate.
Automatic control uses neither costly
sludge
concentration
measurement
apparatus nor flow meters.
2.5.3. Belt filters for small
purification facilities
For small facilities producing difficult
biological sludge (extended aeration, dairy
industry, dyeing plant), "simplified" filters
can be used to obtain easily shovelled
sludge in spite of low DS levels. This type
of filter requires a relatively mo derate
investment.
This is a GDE drainage screen followed by

fast dewatering. Like the GDE, the
GDPresse can be fed with diluted sludge so
as to avoid installation of an intermediary
static thickener.
The sludge is pipe flocculated by means of
an MSC cyclonic static mixer (1) before
being introduced onto the GDE screen (2).
Following drainage, the sludge is
precompacted by an equalizing roller (3)
forming a forced wedge-shaped passage.
The consistent sludge is carried along by a
single belt (4), and then passes under a
fixed roller (5) for dewatering. Pressing
time is short and pressure relatively low.
Belt tension adjustment is carried out by a
spring (6). The thick belt is mechanically
guided by flanges (7) at each roller.
Suspended solids capacities are in the
region of 70 to 120 kg.h -1 (1-metre wide
press) for a sludge at 10-20 g.l-1 and 30 to
2.5.3.1. The GDPresse (see figure 657)
60 kg.h -1 for sludge at 5-10 g.l-1 drawn

directly from the aeration tank. DS levels (10
to 14%) are only 3 to 5 points lower than
those obtained on more sophisticated belt

filters. For liquid-form land disposal, the
Figure 658. The GDPresse.
GDPresse can easily be transformed into a filtration belt (2). A picket fence (3) allows
draining table yielding thick sludge with 5- better draining. Preliminary compacting is
7% of SS.
carried out by a roller (4). This produces a
sludge layer with a thickness of 2 to 3 cm.
2.5.3.2. The T-Deg (see figures 659 and Final compacting is ensured by the roller
660)
(5) which rolls out the sludge layer to a
This is a small, single-belt horizontal filter: thickness of about 1 cm.
the flocculated sludge (1) falls onto a
Figure 660. T-Deg.
T-Deg is in fact a draining table

incorporating a basic pressing system. The
cake has a flaky appearance.
DS levels of 9 to 12% are achieved on
extended aeration sludge. Capacities (SS)
remain average but sufficient for small,
local-scale needs: 30 to 50 kg.h -1 for a 1.2m wide filter.
The main advantage of the T-Deg is its ease
of use with exceptional percentage recovery
rates, provided flocculation is optimal.
2.5.4. Mobile dewateting units
Belt filters can be installed on road trailers
which also house pumping and conditioning
units (figure 661).
The advantage of such a system is that it
can serve a number of small treatment
facilities. It does, however, come up against

several obstacles:
- storage and efficient stabilisation of
sludge,
- adaptation for operation with different
qualities of sludge,
- winter weather conditions,
- non-centralised management of differentplants,
- radius of operation limited to 20 km.
Mobile dewatering units are easy to use
within a single industrial complex (sludge
coming from remote workshops). Belt
filters can, in certain cases, be replaced by
centrifuges.
Figure 661. Degrmont GDE + Superpress ST1 mobile unit

19.2. Dewatering of Sludge by Filtration

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Chap.

19: Sludge treatment

2. DEWATERING OF SLUDGE BY FILTRATION

The simplified formula of r gives:

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2. Dewatering of sludge by Mtration

filtration rate increases with

The gradual increase in pressure (slow

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Chap. 19: Sludge treatment

The curve presents two main sections:

supplemented by an asymptotic section

Plotting curves for SL = f(P) for highpressure

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2.Dewatering of sludge by filtration

conditioning technique may have an

SL can only be overridden by using heat

Natural dewatering should only be

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Chap. 19: Sludge treatment

If beds are fed at a single point, it is

Drying bed yield can be improved by

Figure 621, Non-mechanised 8 x 20-m drying beds.

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2. Dewatering of sludge by filtration

favourable, drying can be carried out in

If the treatment plant is sufficiently

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Chap. 19: Sludge treatment

2.2.2. Dehydro drying beds

compartments in turn enter a vacuum or

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2. Dewatering of sludge by filtration

With continuous washing of the cloth,

mesh spaces varying from 30 to 100 gm

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Chap. 19: Sludge treatment

This precoat process is rarely used as

2.3.3. Calculating the rate of chemical

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2. Dewatering of sludge by filtration

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Chap. 19: Sludge treatment

The table below gives a sample of the

be vacuum filtered on an industrial scale:

Vacuum filtration is being used less and

very high rate of conditioning

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2. Dewatering of sludge by Fltration

in comparison with other processes such

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Chap. 19: Sludge treatment

The sludge to be filtered arrives (5) under

generated by plate jacks) is evenly spread

Figure 629. Discharge of a filter press cake.

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2. Dewatering of sludge by filtration

2.4.1.2. Operation technologies

total filtration surface is about 1,000 m2