How to Save $1M Per Year in Operational Costs - Efficiencies in Centrifuge Dewatering

摘要

Solids dewatering/disposal costs constitute a large percentage of typical WWTPs' operating costs. Larger utilities often realize significant savings by increasing dewatering operational efficiencies. The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP) completed a decanter centrifuge and ancillary equipment replacement program at the Wards Island (WI) WWTP. Upgrades included replacement of 13 aged centrifuges with 16 new centrifuges, and upgrades to ancillary processes to improve overall performance. The upgrade has resulted in savings of $1.1 million per year in power, polymer, and biosolids disposal costs by improving dewatering operational efficiencies at the WI WWTP. In addition, the upgrade increased the dewatering capacity by 70%, which allows NYCDEP to decommission a dewatering facility at one of its other WWTPs. This manuscript will offer other municipalities insight into the challenges and lessons learned in designing, constructing, commissioning, and on-going operations of the centrifuge dewatering system.