Sludge treatment

The suspended solids separated during the treatment process form sediment, or sludge, which must be managed in every water treatment project. There are several methods for handling and treating sludge, and here we describe the technologies we most commonly use.

Because water treatment relies on flocculation and sedimentation, sludge is naturally generated as part of the process. The particle-bound contaminants aggregate and settle to the bottom. As a result, the system needs to be emptied at regular intervals to remove the sludge that accumulates.

Dewatering the sludge

Depending on the technology used, this step can be carried out in different ways. When using sedimentation containers, they must first be drained of water before the sludge can be pumped out. When using our lamella units, the built‑in pump allows for easy sludge removal. This means they can be emptied without interrupting the treatment process.

What happens to the sludge afterward depends on how dry it can be made. The goal is to remove as much water as possible — water that can then be reintroduced into the treatment system. Effective dewatering also greatly reduces the weight of the remaining material, which in turn lowers disposal and transport fees.

Dewatering bags

Dewatering bags are a passive method of sludge dewatering, and Swedish Hydro Solutions offers them in various sizes depending on the application. The bags are available in different types of geotextiles — both woven and non‑woven. They allow water to pass through the geotextile while retaining sediment, sludge, and other particles. This makes them a highly cost‑effective solution for the infrastructure and construction sectors, as well as for tunnel projects or similar environments.

Dewatering bags for sludge treatment

Dewatering Box

The dewatering tank from Rain for Rent® provides an optimal solution for environmentally friendly, cost‑efficient, and safe sludge dewatering on construction sites and in various other applications. Sludge is introduced into the tank, where it is allowed to settle at the bottom while the water is filtered out through the sides and the bottom of the tank.

The dewatering tank has a capacity of 14 m³.

Sludge conveyor tanks

Sludge conveyor tanks are commonly used to handle and dewater sludge from Swedish Hydro Solutions’ lamella separators. They can also serve as an initial pretreatment step for removing suspended solids in projects where the incoming water contains high levels of particulate matter. The sludge is conveyed out of the tank by a scraper mechanism, resulting in efficient sludge dewatering.

Want to know more?

Get in touch with our water treatment specialists to discuss how we can find the perfect sludge treatment solution for your specific needs.

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