Use of Pulverized Coal to Enhance Sludge Dewatering and Incineration at Amherst Wastewater Treatment Facility

摘要

The addition of pulverized coal to sewage sludge prior to incineration was investigated as a cost-saving measure for the 24 mgd two-stage complete-mix 'UNOX' activated sludge wastewater treatment plant with a physical-chemical tertiary treatment system in Amherst, New York. Sludge-coal slurry behavior was evaluated using capillary suction time, filter-leaf, and pilot scale vacuum filter testing. While coal did not act as a dewatering aid, it did increase filter yield, cake dryness, and cake heat content. Capital costs for coal equipment and installation were found to be approximately $450,000. At current fuel prices, the annual savings potential was on the order of $30,000. As the cost differential between coal and standard incinerator fuels increases, savings would be expected to correspondingly increase.