Sludge Thickening – How Our Industry Has Been Calculating Polymer Usage Wrong

In this Parkson University series video, “Sludge Thickening – How Our Industry Has Been Calculating Polymer Usage Wrong,” we discuss how to correctly calculate polymer use during the sludge thickening process in wastewater treatment.

Polymer use is the industry “go to” for measuring performance, efficiency and cost of ownership of sludge thickeners; however, as an industry we’ve been calculating it incorrectly. The problem begins with calculations that are based on what goes in the thickener instead of what comes out. Because of solids loss, which differs depending on design of the thickener utilized (less than 1% to 10% loss), the amount of sludge going in isn’t the same as the amount coming out.

Visit the ThickTech Rotary Drum Thickener page for additional information and Parkson’s YouTube channel to view more videos.