Sludge Stabilization Process, Drying Depth and Polymeric Material Addition: Implication on Nitrogen Content, Selected Chemical Properties and Land Requirement in Sand Drying Beds

Taruvinga Badza, Eyob H. Tesfamariam and Craig Cogger
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Taruvinga Badza: Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X 20, Hatfield, 0028 Pretoria, South Africa
Eyob H. Tesfamariam: Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X 20, Hatfield, 0028 Pretoria, South Africa
Craig Cogger: Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Washington State University, Puyallup, WA 99164-6420, USA

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 24, 1-16

Abstract: Drying beds are a simple and economical means to dewater municipal sludge and are widely used in places with a suitable climate for air-drying. However, research-based information on drying thickness/drying depth effects on nutrient content and land size requirements for sludge drying is scarce. In this study, aerobically digested (AeD), and anaerobically digested without polymer (AnDP0) and with polymer (AnDP1) sludge types were dried in sand drying beds at 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 cm depths in South Africa. Measured nitrogen (N) fractions and other parameters were more strongly influenced by sludge types than by drying depth. Total N content followed the order of AeD > AnDP1 > AnDP0. Polymeric material addition tended to increase total and inorganic N content and reduce the length of sludge drying period and land size requirement. The study showed that larger land size is required to dry sludge at shallower depths, even though the sludge dried more quickly. Drying sludge at 15 cm was the best option across sludge types in winter, taking an average land area between 261 and 383 m 2 over the fewest days of sludge drying, whereas in spring, drying at 20 to 25 cm depth was most favorable. The findings suggest that drying bed management can be based on land area requirements with little concern for biosolid quality changes. For wastewater treatment plants relying on drying in beds, adding polymeric materials may be beneficial where land area for drying beds is limited, but not otherwise. Therefore, land availability is critical in decision making for sustainable sludge drying thickness.

Keywords: sludge drying thickness/depth; polymer; sludge; sand drying bed; drying bed land size requirement (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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