Sludge Conditioning: Impact of Polymers on Floc Structure

In order to enhance mechanical dewatering, conditioning polymers are used to flocculate sewage sludge. These polymers modify floc structure, which has an impact on dewatering efficiency. However, fundamental aspects of those processes are incompletely understood, particularly the way that flocs are structurally organized and how this may relate to their mechanical and dewatering properties. Thus, this study focused on the impact of different types of polymers on sludge rheological and microscopic properties. Polymer dosage was found to be the main parameter controlling these properties and a master curve was obtained between the linear viscoelastic (LVE) complex modulus and polymer dosage, based on optimal polymer concentration. Additional research possibilities were also defined.