Abstract
The dewatering characteristics of the sewage sludge was investigated through the experimental observations and model simulations. The activated sludge and the anaerobically digested sludge were examined for the dewaterability evaluation within the pressure range of $0{\sim}10^6N/m^2$. Modified Buchner funnel test and compression test by the consolidometer were conducted to evaluate average specific resistance, porosity, and moisture percentage of filter cake. Shirato's technique of compression-permeability test was followed for the pressure range lower than about $10^2N/m^2$. The flocculation effects on sludge dewatering was also examined for ferric chloride and polymeric flocculant. The application of hydrated lime which can be used for flue-gas desulfurization showed improved moisture percentage, and was thought to have positive feasibility in combined system of sludge dewatering and incineration. Determined characteristic constants were applied to Tiller's cake filtration model to simulate liquid pressure distribution and porosity distribution in cake. Model simulations showed a sharp drop of the porosity close to the cake-medium interface for the highly compressible material such as the activated sludge and the anaerobically digested sludge.
