WASTEWATER
By Rick Lallish
With proper conditioning, what suspended solids concentrations can you expect from a gravity belt thickener?
A. 1-3%
B. 4-6%
C. 8-12%
D. 14-28%
Answer: B. Gravity belt thickeners are excellent means of solids thickening, provided the operator has good control over the various operation parameters. Proper conditioning with polymer and proper belt speed and hydraulic loadings can affect the quality of thickening. When operated within the parameters, you can expect to thicken sludge at 0.3% to 0.6% solids to 4-6% solids. More information may be found in OWP CSU-Sacramento textbook: Operation of Wastewater Treatment Plants, Volume 2, Eighth Edition, Chapter 4.
About the author
Rick Lallish is water pollution control program director at the Environmental Resources Training Center of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
