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Handbook of Water and Used Water Purification pp 1–26Cite as

Introduction to Sludge Treatment Technologies and Systems

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Abstract

Sewage sludge is the largest by-product of used water treatment. Its production is dependent upon influent characteristics and the processes applied. It is composed of a complex, heterogeneous mixture of microorganisms and readily biodegradable organic and inorganic materials. Sludge treatment is a highly complex, expensive, and environmentally sensitive problem. At present, there are a wide variety of sludge treatment processes in operation, which can be employed in various combinations in line with the goal and end usage. Volume reduction and sludge stabilization represent two main sewage sludge treatment objectives. Volume reduction begins with the thickening process during which the sludge solids are concentrated in order to increase the efficiency of further treatment. Sludge dewatering and drying are other methods for volume reduction that go far beyond thickening and reduce water content considerably. Sludge stabilization can be achieved by biological, chemical, and thermal processes and except in the case of alkaline stabilization leads to mass reduction. Other positive effects of sludge stabilization are pathogen removal, a cut in odors, and improved sludge dewaterability.

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Abbreviations

AS:

Active substance (polymer)

BOD5:

Biological oxygen demand

CAPEX:

Capital expenditure

DAF:

Dissolved air flotation

DS:

Dry solids

PE:

Population equivalent

SS:

Suspended solids

VS:

Volatile solids

WAS:

Waste activated sludge

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Technology, Novi Sad University, Novi Sad, Serbia

    Bogdanka Radetic

  2. Civil Engineering and Water Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria

    Bogdanka Radetic

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  1. Bogdanka Radetic
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Correspondence to Bogdanka Radetic .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Director Technology, Research & Developm, VA TECH WABAG GmbH Director Technology, Research & Developm, Vienna, Wien, Austria

    Josef Lahnsteiner

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Radetic, B. (2019). Introduction to Sludge Treatment Technologies and Systems. In: Lahnsteiner, J. (eds) Handbook of Water and Used Water Purification. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-66382-1_40-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-66382-1_40-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-66382-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-66382-1

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Earth and Environm. ScienceReference Module Physical and Materials ScienceReference Module Earth and Environmental Sciences

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Chapter history

  1. Latest

    Sludge Treatment Technologies and Systems, an Introduction
    Published:
    04 December 2020

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-66382-1_40-2

  2. Original

    Introduction to Sludge Treatment Technologies and Systems
    Published:
    20 February 2019

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-66382-1_40-1

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