ABSTRACT
Simply put, wastewater solids (sludge) contain large volumes of water. Because sludge can be as much as 97% water content, and because the cost of disposal will be related to the volume of sludge being processed, one of the primary purposes or goals of sludge treatment (along with stabilizing it so it is no longer objectionable or environmentally damaging) is to separate as much of the water fiom the solids as possible. Solids treatment methods may be designed to accomplish both of these purposes. One of the sludge treatment methods that is designed to accomplish both is the subject of this chapter: solids thickening.
