Influence of microwave irradiation on sludge dewaterability

• Published in: Chemical engineering journal (Lausanne, Switzerland : 1996) Vol. 155; no. 1; pp. 88 - 93
• Main Authors: Yu, Qiang, Lei, Hengyi, Yu, Guangwei, Feng, Xin, Li, Zhaoxu, Wu, Zhicheng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier B.V 01-12-2009; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Capillary suction time; Chemical engineering; Contact time; Exact sciences and technology; Filtration; Liquid-liquid and fluid-solid mechanical separations; Microwave irradiation; Sludge dewaterability; Microwave irradiation; Contact time; Capillary suction time; Sludge dewaterability; Particle size; Particle size distribution; Filtration; Chemical oxygen demand; Capillary suction; Microwave
• ISSN: 1385-8947; 1873-3212
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2009.07.010

The study focuses on the effect of microwave irradiation on sludge dewaterability. Capillary suction time and specific resistance of filtration were used to evaluate sludge dewaterability. Soluble chemical oxygen demand, extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) content and sludge particle size were determined in an attempt to explain the observed changes in sludge dewaterability. The results indicated that microwave application slightly enhanced sludge dewaterability with short contact time, while it significantly deteriorated sludge dewaterability with long contact time. The results show that 900
W and 60
s is an ideal microwave condition, yielding maximum sludge dewaterability characteristics by generating sludge with optimal disintegration (1.5–2%), EPS concentration (1500–2000
mg/l), and particle size distribution (120–140
μm).