United States Environmental Protection Agency Municipal Environmental Research Laboratory Cincinnati OH 45268 EPA-600/2-80-112 August 1980 Research and Development Monitoring Septage Addition to Wastewater Treatment Plants Volume II: Vacuum Filtration of Septage ------- RESEARCH REPORTING SERIES Research reports of the Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, have been grouped into nine series. These nine broad cate- gories were established to facilitate further development and application of en- vironmental technology. Elimination of traditional grouping was consciously planned to foster technology transfer and a maximum interface in related fields. The nine series are: 1. Environmental Health Effects Research 2. Environmental Protection Technology 3. Ecological Research 4. Environmental Monitoring 5. Socioeconomic Environmental Studies 6. Scientific and Technical Assessment Reports (STAR) 7. Interagency Energy-Environment Research and Development 8. "Special" Reports 9. Miscellaneous Reports This report has been assigned to the ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION TECH- NOLOGY series. This series describes research performed to develop and dem- onstrate instrumentation, equipment, and methodology to repair or prevent en- vironmental degradation from point and non-point sources of pollution. This work provides the new or improved technology required for the control and treatment of pollution-sources to meet environmental quality standards. This document is available to the public through the National Technical Informa- tion Service, Springfield, Virginia 22161. ------- EPA-600/2-80-112 August 1980 MONITORING SEPTAGE ADDITION TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS Volume II. Vacuum Filtration of Septage by Charles R. Ott Burton A. Segall University of Lowell Lowell, Massachusetts 01854 Grant No. R805406010 Project Officer Steven W. Hathaway Wastewater Research Division Municipal Environmental Research Laboratory Cincinnati, Ohio 45268 MUNICIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LABORATORY OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY CINCINNATI, OHIO 45268 ------- DISCLAIMER This report has been reviewed by the Municipal Environ- mental Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and approved for publication. Approval does not signify that the contents necessarily reflect the views and policies of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. ------- FOREWORD The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was created be- cause of increasing public and government concern about the dangers of pollution to the health and welfare of the American people. Noxious air, foul water, and spoiled land are tragic testimony to the deterioration of our natural environment. The complexity .of that environment and the interplay between its components require a concentrated and integrated attack on the problem. Research and development is that necessary first step in_ problem solution and it involves defining the problem, measuring its impact, and searching for solutions. The Municipal Environ- mental Research Laboratory develops new and improved technology and systems for the prevention, treatment, and management of wastewater and solid and hazardous waste pollutant discharges from municipal and community sources, for the preservation and treatment of public drinking water supplies and for minimizing the adverse economic, social, health, and aesthetic effects of pollution. This publication is one of the products of that research; ,a most vital communications link between the research- er and the user community. This report assesses the feasibility of dewatering septic tank wastes (septage) with conventional vacuum filters. A method of treating septage in combination with thickened_waste activated sludge is demonstrated for adaptation at municipal wastewater treatment plants., Francis T. Mayo Director Municipal Environmental Research Laboratory 111 ------- ABSTRACT The study examined the feasibility of using conventional vacuum filtration to dewater conditioned septage sludge, by itself and in combination with thickened waste activated sludge. The septage was conditioned with aluminum sulfate, ferric chloride and sulfuric acid, each used independently. Laboratory experiments were conducted .with a filter leaf appara- tus that simulates a coil spring vacuum filter. The Capillary Suction Test, CST, was used to estimate filterability. Field studies, utilizing a full-scale vacuum filter and large quanti- ties of septage, were conducted at the Medfield, Massachusetts, wastewater treatment plant. The studies showed that vacuum filtration of a combined mixture of thickened waste activated sludge and septage con- ditioned with either alum, ferric chloride or acid is feasible. Excellent cake yields and filtrate quality were obtained. The cost of treating septage in the solids handling train at Medfield was less than the cost of adding septage to the liquid stream at the plant inlet. This report was .submitted in fulfillment of Grant No. R805406010 by the- University of Lowell under the sponsorship of the UVS.- Environmental Protection Agency. This report covers the period January 1978 to December 1979, and work was completed as of March 1980. IV ------- CONTENTS Foreword 1:[-:L Abstract ., fy Figures vii Tables Yifi Abbreviations and Symbols xiii Acknowledgments. X1V 1. Introduction • • 1 Treatment Objectives 1 The Scope of Research 1 Literature Review 2 2. Summary and Conclusions 5 Summary of Research 5 Conclusions 7 Recommendations 8 3. Laboratory Test Results • 9 Task A - Determination of Optimum Chemical Dosing. 9 Task B - Vacuum Filtration of Conditioned Septage Sludge 19 Task C - Neutral pH Adjustment after Conditioning 21 Task D - Vacuum Filtration of Septage and TWAS . 24 4. Field Tests 31 Experimental Facilities 31 Liquid Waste and Cake Characteristics. ..... 31 Field Test Selections 36 Field Test Procedures • 36 5. Field Test Results 38 Septage Treatment with Aluminum Sulfate 38 Septage Treatment with Ferric Chloride 47 Acid Treatment of Septage 50 6. Synthesis of Field Results 59 Cake Yield 59 Filtrate Quality 61 Practical Considerations 61 7. Heavy Metals 64 Determination of Metal Location 64 8. Cost of Septage Treatment 67 Operating and Mciintenance Costs 67 Method of Analysis 67 Cost Comparison 71 v ------- References Appendices A. Task A - Determination of Optimum Chemical Dosing . B. Task B - Vacuum Filtration of Conditioned Septage Sludge C. Task C - Neutral pH Adjustment after Conditioning . D. Task D - Vacuum Filtration of Septage and TWAS. . . 76 77 85 95 100 VI ------- FIGURES Number Page 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 CST vs. chemical dosage for mixed chemically-treated septage, Task A 11 CST vs. chemical dosage for thickened septage, Task A 13 CST vs. total solids and Al(III) dosage, Task A 14 CST vs. total solids and Fe(III) dosage, Task A 15 CST as a function of Al(III) dosage and septage total solids concentration, Task A ... 16 CST as a function of Fe(III) dosage and septage total solids concentration, Task A ... 17 Supernatant COD vs. chemical dosage, Task A . . 18 Supernatant, solids concentrations vs. chemical dosage, Task A 19 Coilfilter leaf test apparatus 20 CST vs. chemical dosage for treated septage, Task C 23 Process schematic - Medfield Wastewater Treat- ment Plant . 32 Solids handling train at Medfield 33 Cake yield vs. vacuum filter cycle time, field test 46 VII ------- TABLES Number Page 1 Chemical Dosages Used in Task A 9 2 Characteristics of Raw Septage and Raw Thickened Septage - Task A 10 3 Filter Leaf Test Cake Results - Task B 21 4 Filter Leaf Test Filtrate Results - Task B ... 22 5 CST of Acid Treated Septage Sludges with and Without pH Adjustment - Task C 23 6 Supernatant Characteristics for pH Adjusted and Non-Adjusted Samples - Task C 24 7 Filter Leaf Test, Cake Yields - Task D 26 8 Filter Leaf Test, Cake Yields - Task D ..... 27 9 Filter Leaf Test, Filtrate Results, Task D, Mode I, 20% Septage/80% TWAS 28 10 Filter Leaf Test, Filtrate Results, Task D, Mode I, 50% Septage/50% TWAS ; 29 11 Filter Leaf Test, Filtrate Results, Task D, Mode II, 20% Septage/80% TWAS 29 12 Filter Leaf Test, Filtrate Results, Task D, Mode II, 50% Septage/50% TWAS 30 13 Vacuum Filter Dimensions, Medfield 34 14 Baseline Mixed Liquor, Secondary Sludge Thickener Supernatant and Vacuum Filtrate Characteristics (1978) 34 15 Thickened Waste Activated Sludge and Vacuum Filter Cake - Baseline Study (1978) 35 16 Thickened Waste Activated Sludge and Vacuum Filter Cake - This Study, Test #1 36 17 Vacuum Filtration Field Tests 37 18 Field Test Results, Septage, Alum Treatment ... 38 19 Cake and Filtrate Characteristics, Septage, Alum Treatment 40 20 Field Test Results, Septage and TWAS, Alum Treatment , 41 viii ------- Number 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 TABLES (continued) Page Cake and Filtrate Characteristics, Septage and TWAS, Alum Treatment 43 Field Test Results, Septage and TWAS, Alum Treatment 44 Cake and Filtrate Characteristics, Septage and TWAS, Alum Treatment 45 Field Test Results, Septage and TWAS, Iron Treatment 48 Cake and Filtrate Characteristics, Septage and TWAS, Iron Treatment 49 Field Test Results, Septage and TWAS, Iron Treatment 50 Cake and Filtrate Characteristics, Septage and TWAS, Iron Treatment 51 Field Test Results, Septage and TWAS, Acid Treatment 52 Cake and Filtrate Characteristics, Septage and TWAS, Acid Treatment 53 Field Test Results, Septage, Acid Treatment . 54 Cake and Filtrate Characteristics, Septage, Acid Treatment ...... 55 Field Test Results, Septage and TWAS, No Treatment ..... .... 56 Cake and Filtrate Characteristics, Septage and TWAS, No Treatment . 57 Cake Yield Comparison for Chemical Treatments and Septage/TWAS Mixtures . 60 Filtrate Comparison for Chemical Treatments and Septage/TWAS Mixtures 62 Metals in Raw Septage 64 Percentage of Metal in Supernatant After Indicated Treatment •• 66 Medfield Treatment Plant Averages and Yearly Totals 68 Percent Distribution - Medfield - Method 1 . . 68 Cost Distribution - Medfield - Method 1 ... 70 Cost Distribution - Method 1 72 Incremental Costs - Methods 2 and 3, 2% Sep- tage Addition 74 IX ------- Number A-l A-2 A-3 A-4 B-l B-2 B-3 B-4 B-5 B-6 C-l C-2 C-3 D-l D-2 D-3 D-4 D-5 D-6 TABLES (continued) APPENDIX A Task A - Raw Septage Task A - Treated Septage Before Settling Task A - Septage Sludge After Settling . Task A - Supernatant After Settling . . APPENDIX B Page 76 77 79 82 Task B - Cake Characteristics, Alum Treatment. 84 Task B - Cake Characteristics, Ferric Chloride Treatment 86 Task B - Cake Characteristics, Acid Treatment. 88 Task B - Filtrate, Alum Treatment 90 Task B - Filtrate, Ferric Chloride Treatment . 92 Task B - Filtrate, Acid Treatment 93 APPENDIX C Task C - pH Adjusted Raw Septage 94 Task C - pH Adjusted Treated Thickened Septage 95 Task C - pH Adjusted Treated Supernatant ... 97 APPENDIX D Task D - Cake Characteristics, Mode I, 20% Septage/80% TWAS, Alum Treatment 99 Task D - Cake Characteristics, Mode I, 20% Septage/80% TWAS, Ferric Chloride Treatment . 101 Task D - Cake Characteristics, Mode I, 20% Septage/80% TWAS, Acid Treatment ....... 103 Task D - Cake Characteristics, Mode I, 50% Septage/50% TWAS, Alum Treatment ....... 105 Task D - Cake Characteristics, Mode I, 50% Septage/50% TWAS, Ferric Chloride Treatment . 107 Task D - Cake Characteristics, Mode I, 50% Septage/50% TWAS, Acid Treatment 109 x ------- TABLES (continued) Number Page D-7 Task D - Septage and TWAS Mixture Character- ; is tics, Mode I, 20% Septage/80% TWAS Ill D-8 Task D - Septage and TWAS Mixture Character- istics, Mode I, 50% Septage/50% TWAS 112 D-9 Task D - TWAS Cake Characteristics, No Septage . 113 D-10 Task D - TWAS and Septage Mixture Character- istics, Mode II, 20%/80% and 50%/50% Mixtures . 115 D-ll Task D - Cake Characteristics, Mode II, 20% Septage/80% TWAS, Alum Treatment 116 D-12 Task D - Cake Characteristics, Mode II, 20% Septage/80% TWAS, Ferric Chloride Treatment . . 118 D-13 Task D - Cake Characteristics, Mode II, 20% Septage/80% TWAS, Acid Treatment 120 D-14 Task D - Cake Characteristics, Mode II, 50% Septage/50% TWAS, Alum Treatment 122 D-15 : Task D - Cake Characteristics, Mode II, 50% Septage/50% TWAS, Ferric Chloride Treatment . . 124 D-16 Task D - Cake Characteristics, Mode II, 50% Septage/50% TWAS, Acid Treatment 126 D-17 Task D - Filtrate Characteristics, Mode I, TWAS Only 128 D-18 Task D - Filtrate Characteristics, Mode I, 20% Septage/80% TWAS, Alum Treatment ... 129 D-19 i Task D - Filtrate Characteristics, Mode I, 20% Septage/80% TWAS, Ferric Chloride Treatment . . 130 D-20 Task D - Filtrate Characteristics, Mode I, 20% ' Septage/80% TWAS, Acid Treatment 131 D-21 Task D - Filtrate Characteristics, Mode I, 50% Septage/50% TWAS, Alum Treatment ... 132 D-22 , Task D - Filtrate Characteristics, Mode I, 50% Septage/50% TWAS, Ferric Chloride Treatment . . 133 D-23 Task D - Filtrate Characteristics, Mode I, 50% Septage/50% TWAS, Acid Treatment ........ 134 D-24 , Task D - Filtrate Characteristics, Mode II, 20% Septage/80% TWAS, Alum Treatment 135 D-25 Task D - Filtrate Characteristics, Mode II, 20% Septage/80% TWAS, Ferric Chloride Treatment. 136 XI ------- Number D-26 D-27 D-28 D-29 TABLES (.continued) Task D - Filtrate Characteristics, Mode II, 20% Septage/80% TWAS, Acid Treatment . . . Page 137 Task D - Filtrate Characteristics, Mode II, 50% Septage/50% TWAS, Alum Treatment 138 Task D - Filtrate Characteristics, Mode II, 50% Septage/50% TWAS, Ferric Chloride Treatment. 139 Task D - Filtrate Characteristics, Mode II, 50% Septage/50% TWAS, Acid Treatment 140 XII ------- LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND SYMBOLS ABBREVIATIONS cm COD CST cu ft cu m gal hr kg kw-h L Ibs mgd mg/1 ml sec sq ft sq m -centimeter -chemical oxygen demand -capillary section time -cubic feet -cubic meter -gallon -hour -kilogram -kilowatt hour -liter -pounds -million gallons per day -milligrams per liter -milliliter -second -square feet -square meter SYMBOLS A1(1 1 1) Cd Cr Cu Fe(III) H2S04 Ni P Pb s SS TS TVS TWAS x Zn —trivalent aluminum ion —calcium carbonate —cadmium —chromium —copper —trivalent iron ion —sulfuric acid —nickel —-phosphorus —lead —standard deviation —suspended solids —total solids —total volatile solids —thickened waste activated sludge —mean —zinc Xlll ------- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors gratefully acknowledge the contributions made by their graduate research assistants, Diane Robinson and Edward Znoj. The accomplishments of the research were in large measure the results of their commitment, to the laboratory and field projects. The authors also acknowledge the cooperation and assis- tance given by the Medfield treatment plant staff, Plant Supervisor Kenneth Feeney, Peter lafolla and Robert LaPlante. Mr. Feeney facilitated scheduling research activities with plant operation, provided equipment for material handling and septage transfer, and managed septage deliveries. Appreciation is expressed to the Town of Medfield for permitting the use of its excellent facilities for research. xiv ------- SECTION I INTRODUCTION TREATMENT OBJECTIVES: Liquid and solids separation is a principal objective in the treatment of municipal wastewaters. At conventional ac- tivated sludge treatment facilities separation occurs both in primary sedimentation basins and following secondary biological conversion of dissolved organics to organisms. At primary plants only the former process is employed; at extended aeration plants only the latter. Septage can be introduced into the liquid waste stream at a treatment plant where it settles well in primary basins and is oxidized in aeration processes. However, oxidizing septage organics is costly and the solids concentra- tion in septage is often on a par with the concentration of /-, solids in streams generated in primary and secondary processes . Septage introduction directly into the sludge processing train at municipal wastewater treatment plants is not generally practiced and the efficacy of treating septage with only sludge processing facilities has not been adequately studied. Adding septage directly to the sludge processing train could reduce treatment costs at -plants and would reduce the organic loading on conventional aerobic treatment processes. The technology is appropriate for proposed treatment plants and for existing plants where excess vacuum filtration capacity is available. THE SCOPE OF RESEARCH The purpose of this research was to determine the feasi- bility of dewatering chemically conditioned septage. The de- watering process utilized was a conventional coil spring vacuum filter. Septage was treated and vacuum filtered alone and in combination with thickened waste activated sludge, TWAS. Chemi- cal conditioners used independently for the study were aluminum sulfate (alum), ferric chloride and sulfuric acid. The laboratory phase of the study was conducted at the University of Lowell, where ten septage samples were chemically treated over a range of chemical dosages. Settled sludges were dewatered on a filter leaf apparatus at various form and ------- drying time intervals and vacuum pressures. Cake yields and solids contents were determined; filtrates and supernatants were analyzed. The laboratory tests were followed by full scale tests at the Medfield, Massachusetts Wastewater Treatment Plant. Selection of chemical treatments and dosages for the field tests were based upon the laboratory work. Ten full-scale field tests were conducted at Medfield, each utilizing about 45.4 cu m (12,000 gal) of septage. Septage was chemically treated, the supernatant decanted, and the thickened septage vacuum filtered alone or in combination with thickened waste activated sludge. Filter yield, cake composition and filtrate characteristics were monitored. For each filter run, the cake formation time, drying time and vacuum pressure were periodi- cally changed. The study also included an analysis of effects of neutral pH adjustment after chemical treatment; filtration of acid treated septage with and without polymer conditioning; and effects of adding untreated septage to thickened waste activated sludge. The cost of chemically treating septage and adding it to the solids handling train at Medfield was compared with the cost of adding septage to the liquid train (adding it directly with incoming sewage) as reported in Volume One: Monitoring Septage Addition to Wastewater Treatment Plants. Heavy metals in sludges, cakes and filtrates were monitored to assess concentrations and the extent of metal association with liquid and solids fractions. LITERATURE REVIEW Thickening and dewatering of septage has been investigated by a number of researchers (2, 3, 4, 5) . Feige, et al./ ' Tilsworth, ^ ' and Perrin^ found that raw septage settled poorly, if at all. Perrin found that aeration for as long as one month was required before settling improved significantly. Condren(4), using screened raw septage, also observed poor separation by settling alone. In an effort to improve separation, chemical coagulation- flocculation schemes using various conditioning agents have been investigated (2, 4, 6, 7). Condren(^) used alum, ferric chlor- ide, ferric chloride-lime, and acidification with sulfuric acid. He found that very high chemical dosages and two-stage acid- lime coagulation were needed to produce a high quality super- natant. Following separation, the sludge was dewatered using ------- sand beds, pressure filtration, solid bowl centrifugation, or cloth belt vacuum filtration. He concluded that sand bed and pressure filtration worked best. Tilsworth found that solids-liquids separation could only be achieved using very high chemical dosages. For example, lime requirements were approximately 10,000 mg/1. Feige, et al. (2) had to add similar quantities of lime (about 0.090 kg/kg dry solids) in order to achieve acceptable septage dewatering on sand drying beds. Shaboo , using either alum or sulfuric acid, was able to: 1. effect good solids- liquid separation; 2. produce a relatively clear supernatant with substan- tially reduced contaminant concentration, and 3. dewater the thickened septage satisfactorily on laboratory scale sand beds. His samples were all rapid mixed for one minute, slow mixed for twenty minutes and settled for 22 hours prior to decanting and placement on the sand beds. Crowe investigated septage dewatering without prior settling and supernatant decanting. He vacuum filtered septage and mixtures of septage and digested municipal sludge that had been treated with lime, ferric chloride and polymers. He found that mixtures of digested sludge and up to 20 percent raw septage by volume were readily dewatered. / -D \ Perrinv ' used capillary suction time (GST) as a laboratory measure of dewaterability and found that raw septages with GST's of 125 to 825 seconds could be successfully lowered to 50 seconds through the addition of either ferric chloride, alum, and some polymers. Septages with GST values of 50 seconds or lower were satisfactorily dewatered on sand beds. For approximately twelve years the community of Islip, Long Island, has chemically treated raw septage with ferric chloride and lime and dewatered the sludge on a coil belt vacuum filter. Septage is screened, degritted and sent to an equalization basin before chemicals are added to a flash mixer. Solids-liquid separation occurs in a clarif locculator . Chemi- cal requirements average about 0.095 kg lime/kg solids and 0.21 liters of standard strength ferric chloride solution/kg dry solids. Cake production rates are good, cakes are relatively dry and release from the coil very well. The total chemical cost of ferric chloride and lime treat- ment was estimated at $2.04/cu m ($7.70/1000 gal) of septage. These estimates were based upon chemical costs and average septage concentrations used in this, study: FeCl3 cost $0.795/Jl ------- ($165.50/55 gal drum), lime cost $0.198/kg ($0.09/lb) and average septage solids concentrations were 11,550 mg/1 (96.3 lb/ 1000 gal). Summary of Volume One (1) In Volume One of this report the effects and costs of high septage loadings were examined at treatment plants located at Medfield and Marlborough, Massachusetts and on the University of Lowell campus. Large quantities of septage were fed to the plants on both continuous and shock loading schedules. Process changes, influent and effluent quality were monitored. Moni- tored characteristics included organic, nutrient and solids concentrations, plant operating parameters, biological indica- tors and sludge production. In Volume One it was concluded that septage is readily treated biologically with domestic sewage and the organic and solids content of septage averages about 50 times that of domestic sewage. The efficiency of septage solids separation in primary clarification was demonstrated. It was shown that vacuum filtration was only affected to the extent that more solids must be processed when septage is added to the liquid stream. The studies at Lowell, Medfield and Marlborough indi- cated that aeration capacity is likely to be the critical para- meter in a plant's capacity for treating septage. The septage receiving capacity of a plant can be determined by assuming septage has an average BOD of 6,000 mg/1, and oxygen utilization for septage treated with sewage is the same as for sewage alone. In Medfield and Marlborough utilization averaged about 0.7 kg O2/kg BOD5. The liquid stream study (Volume One) indicated that thick- ener and vacuum filter design for extended aeration and con- ventional activated sludge plants can be based upon total anti- cipated solids in the combined influent sewage and septage with septage contributing 50 times that of an equivalent volume of sewage. Practical difficulties inherent in handling and treating septage were discussed in Volume One and these are included in Section 6 of this Volume. ------- SECTION 2 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS SUMMARY OF RESEARCH The purpose of this research was to determine the feasi- bility of dewatering chemically conditioned septage, alone and in combination with thickened waste activated sludge. The research encompassed laboratory experimentation with a filter leaf apparatus and field experimentation with a Komline-Sander- son coil spring vacuum filter. The chemical conditioners used independently for septage treatment were aluminum sulfate (alum), ferric chloride and sulfuric acid. Laboratory Experiments The laboratory work was divided into five tasks, A through E. In Task A optimum dosages of Al(III), Fe(III) and H2SO4 were determined for ten different septage samples. Septage settling characteristics, Capillary Suction Time (CST) levels and supernatant characteristics were examined. The results of Task A experiments indicated optimum Al(III) dosages between 100 and 180 mg/1, iron dosages between 220 and 400 mg/1 as Fe(III) and optimum acidification for conditioning between pH2 and pH3. A tenfold reduction in supernatant COD and total solids concentration was observed with optimum chemical treat- ments. Treated septage sludge samples were vacuum filtered in Task B, on a filter leaf apparatus. Various cake form and drying times, and vacuum pressures were used. Cake dryness and yield and filtrate quality were monitored. The leaf tests showed the feasibility of forming cakes on a simulated coil spring filtering medium and appreciably the same results were obtained with the three chemical conditioners. In Task C the pH of conditioned septage sludges and supernatants were adjusted to pH7. This was done to protect dewatering equipment from corrosion. The tests showed that pH adjustment with lime had little or no effect on dewater- ability as measured by the CST Test. In Task D, septage was combined with thickened waste activated sludge, TWAS, and vacuum filtered on the leaf appara- ------- tus. Two modes of combination were used: Mode I - Septage was chemically treated and settled. The thickened septage was mixed with TWAS, polymer was added and the mixture was vacuum filtered. Mode II- Septage and TWAS were combined then chemically treated with coagulant or acid and polymer. Septage and TWAS were combined in ratios of 20% septage to 80% TWAS and 50% septage to 50% TWAS on a total solids basis. Cake dryness, yield and filtrate characteristics were monitored. Task D tests showed that the same results were accom- plished with Modes I and II but twice the quantity of chemical was required for Mode II. The test showed the feasibility of dewatering conditioned septage in combination with TWAS and that comparable results were obtained with either the aluminum or iron coagulants or with acidification. Heavy metals in conditioned septage sludges and super- natants were monitored in Task E. These laboratory tests showed that Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn associate with the solids after treatment with either iron or alum coagulants. Acid conditioning tended to increase metal concentration in the supernatant, particularly Cd and Ni. Field Experiments Ten vacuum filter tests were conducted with a full-scale vacuum filter at the Medfield, Massachusetts wastewater treat- ment plant. Septage was conditioned with either acid, alum or ferric chloride. In each test chemicals were mixed with about 45.5 cu m (12,000 gal) of septage. The septage was settled, the supernatant decanted and the conditioned septage sludge either fed directly to the vacuum filter or combined with TWAS. The mixture was then treated with polymer, followed by vacuum filtration. The tests included three experiments with^alum: a septage only test, and runs with mixtures con- taining 14.6% and 55% conditioned thickened septage. Two mix- ture tests were conducted with ferric chloride conditioned septage: 23.1% and 44.8% septage combinations. Acidified septage was used in three tests, one with a 46.7% septage/ 53.3% TWAS mixture and the others with only septage - one with polymer, the other without. For comparison a filter run on thickened waste activated sludge was monitored and in a final test a quantity of untreated septage was added to TWAS and the mixture vacuum filtered. ------- Cake yields, cake solids concentrations and filtrate quality were monitored in filter runs, during which vacuum pressures and drum speeds were varied. The costs of treating septage in both the liquid and solids trains at Medfield, were determined. CONCLUSIONS Coil spring vacuum filtration of a combined mixture of thickened waste activated sludge and septage conditioned with either alum, ferric chloride or sulfuric acid is feasible. This research showed conclusively that excellent cake yields were obtained with combined mixtures having up to 55% septage solids content. Cake release and filtrate quality were good. In fact, when conditioned septage was added to thickened waste activated sludge its dewatering characteristics were improved. The cost of treating septage in the solids handling train at the Medfield, Massachusetts wastewater treatment plant was between $1.79/cu m ($6.76/1000 gal) and $4.04/cu m ($15.28/1000 gal). These costs compare with between $2.02/cu m ($8.30/1000 gal) and $5.26/cu m ($19.82/1000 gal) for adding septage with raw sewage at Medfield. The laboratory and field studies also showed: 1. Conditioned septage, by itself is not dewaterable on coil spring vacuum filters. Fines in the septage i rapidly clog the filtering medium. 2. The CST of conditioned septage sludge was always higher than thickened waste activated sludge values. But, when conditioned septage was combined with TWAS and polymer added, CST levels comparable, to polymer treated TWAS were achieved. 3. Based upon observed dewaterability of the conditioned septage/TWAS mixture, the inability to dewater condi- tioned septage alone and the CST results stated in item 2, it is hypothesized that when septage was mixed with TWAS, fine septage particles were incorpor- ated into the biological floes. The net effects of combining septage particles and TWAS was the ability to dewater septage with vacuum filtration and enhance- ment of TWAS filtration. 4. Laboratory filter leaf tests showed that conditioned septage should be amenable to vacuum filtration. The coil spring filter leaf model overestimated cake yields subsequently obtained in the field when filtering only conditioned septage. The filter leaf apparatus ------- underestimated yields obtained with combined septage and TWAS mixtures. The leaf apparatus also overesti- mated obtainable cake dryness. 5. Based upon experience with the leaf apparatus and full scale testing it is concluded that the leaf apparatus had limited application for scaling-up purposes but did indicate feasibility. 6. The GST measurement is an effective way of determining optimum coagulant dosage for vacuum filtration. 7. Based upon ease of handling, quality of filtrate, cake yield and cost, alum treatment is the method of choice. RECOMMENDATIONS 1. This research did not investigate the limits of the septage/TWAS ratio nor were binder materials other than TWAS studied. It is recommended that these are worth- while areas for study. 2. Full-scale implementation of an alum treatment system is recommended for wastewater treatment plants. The system should include, properly designed septage storage, mixing and pumping equipment, chemical feeders and facilities for combining conditioned septage with TWAS for vacuum filtration. The system should be designed to permit the flexibility of liquid stream as well as solid stream addition. ------- SECTION 3 LABORATORY TEST RESULTS TASK A - DETERMINATION OF OPTIMUM CHEMICAL DOSING Aluminum potassium sulfate, ferric chloride and sulfuric acid were added separately, to ten different septages. The chemicals were added to series of 1 000 ml samples in the do- sages shown in Table 1. TABLE 1. CHEMICAL DOSAGES USED IN TASK A Chemical Dosage Range Aluminum Potassium Sulfate Ferric Chloride Sulfuric Acid 80 to 800 mg/1 as Al(III) 100 to 400 mg/1 as Fe(III) to pH 2 and pH 3 The range of dosages selected for each test was based upon alkalinity and estimated septage strengths. Septage strength was appraised visually. .Chemical dosage selection began at 80 mg/1 of either Fe(III) or Al(III) when measured alkalinity was less than about 400 mg/1. At alkalinity levels above 600 mg/1 the selected chemical dosage range began at 100 to 120 mg/1. CST (Capillary Suction Time) of settled septage sludges were used to determine optimum coagulant dosages or pH adjustment. Analyses were conducted on raw septage, raw thickened septage, raw septage supernatant, treated septage before settling and thickened septage and supernatant after settling. Characterization data for raw septage and thickened septage prior to treatment are shown on Table 2. . The full set of com- piled test results are included as Appendix A of this report. The data in Table 2 show that septage used for this laboratory study had comparatively high solids and organic content. Measured CST values of both the mixed septage and settled sludge (before chemical addition) were very high. This indi- cated that these materials would not filter well. The settled ------- TABLE 2. CHARACTERISTICS OF RAW SEPTAGE AND RAW THICKENED SEPTAGE - TASK A Raw Septage Raw Thickened Septage ** Analysis COD, mg/1 Total Solids, mg/1 X 36 770 29 840 s 13 600 12 180 X 49 880 55 880 s 15 350 21 640 Total Volatile Solids, mg/1 19 910 6 410 pH 6,2 0.5 Alkalinity, mg/1 as CaCO3 1 090 698 CST (Capillary Suction Time) 295 113 Settling Cone, ml Sludge/ml total * Average values ** Standard deviations 37 310 8 820 234 88 465/930 110/20 portion of the raw septage occupied about half of the total sample volume and had about twice the solids concentration of the mixture prior to settling. Total solids and total volatile solids measurements of mixed samples (replications of the raw septage measurements) after chemical addition show that chemical additives increased the weights slightly. The values shown .in Table 2 for total and volatile solids are the results of more than 280 analyses. CST values for mixed septage samples (before settling) were markedly changed by chemical'conditioning. .. These changes are shown on Figure 1, as functions of chemical additives and dosage. Figure 1 shows average values for Al(ill) and Fe(III). CST was a function.of .initial solids concentration and alka- linity as well as chemical dosage. Acid quantities used to reach pH values of 2 or 3 were also dependent upon alkalinity and solids concentrations. .While a trend of increasing chemical 10 ------- o w ^ H- O 240 220 200 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 H2SO/, TREATMENT CST 82 77 2 3 Fe(lll) - Al(lll) I 0 100 200 300 400 CHEMICAL DOSAGE, mg/t Figure 1. CST vs. chemical dosage for mixed chemically- treated septage, Task A. requirements and initial CST was observed with increasing alka- linity and initial solids concentration, no definitive relation- ships were discernible. The optimum range for the aluminum coagulant was between 100 and 180 mg/1 as Al(III) and between 220 and 400 mg/1 as Fe(III) for the iron coagulant. Optimum pH values for acidi- fication were between 2 and 3. The addition of either 100 mg/1 of Al(III) or Fe(III) caused about a 1 unit drop in initial 11 ------- septage pH. Any Additional 100 to 200 mg/1 of coagulant used caused a further reduction of about 0.5 pH unit. Task A was conducted to determine optimum chemical dosing for vacuum filter tests. Either the mixed conditioned septage or the settled portion of the septage can be filtered. To examine both prospects, analyses were conducted on both mixed and chemically settled sludge. Supernatant quality was monitored. Solids concentrations in settled septage sludge were about the same as observed without chemical addition. Type and quan- tity of chemical additive did not influence sludge solids con- centrations. The average total solids concentration after chemi- cal conditioning and settling was 52,850 mg/1; the average vola- tile solids concentration was 35,260 mg'/l. The results were based on a total of 280 analyses, and compare with averages of 55,880 mg/1 and 37,310 mg/1 for total and volatile solids, respectively, before conditioning. Sludge volumes in settling cones were about 50% of the total volume both before and after chemical addition. However, increased supernatant clarity after chemical addition indicates additional solids incorporation in the settled sludge. CST values for the thickened septage are shown on Figure 2. A comparison of this figure and Figure 1 shows average CST values 20 to 60 units higher for thickened samples than for the mixed unsettled samples. This was due to the increased solids concentrations in the settled samples. Since CST is, at best, an indirect measure of filterability, no comparison was made of CST values for the Al(III), Fe(III) and acid treated samples. However, a comparison of chemical treatments was made using the filter leaf apparatus in Tasks B and D and in the field tests conducted at the Medfield wastewater treatment plant. Relationships between initial septage total solids concentra- tion, coagulant dosage and CST are shown in Figures 3 and 4. Data for each coagulant dosage were fitted to an exponential curve. Coefficients of determination, r , for the least squares curves, averaged 0.58 for the alum treatment and 0.23 for the ferric chloride treatment. The fitted exponential curves, plotted on Figures 3 and 4, are transposed on Figures 5 and 6, where CST is shown as a function of dosage for septages with varying initial total solids content. The results shown on these last two exhib- its can be used to approximate chemical dosage requirements. Supernatant COD is shown as a function of chemical addi- tion in Figure 7 and results of .solids analyses are shown in Figure 8. At optimum dosages, supernatant COD and solids con- 12 ------- o ------- o 0) to co O 240 220 200 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 0 Al(lll) DOSAGE 10 20 30 40 .-3 TOTAL SOLIDS-, 10 mg/l 50 Figure 3. CST vs. total solids and Al(III) dosage, Task A. 14 ------- 240 220 200 180 160 o 140 cu H- co o 120 100 80 60 40 20 0' 0 10 20 Fe(lll) DOSAGE mg/l 30 40 -3 TOTAL SOLIDS, 10 mg/l 50 Figure 4. CST vs. total solids and Fe(III) dosage, Task A. 15 ------- o cu CD CO O 240 220 200 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 TOTAL SOLIDS mg/l I 50 000 40 000 30 000 20 000 10 000 5 000 0 100 200 300 CHEMICAL DOSAGE, mg/l Figure 5. CST as a function of Al(III) dosage and septage total solids concentration, Task A. 16 ------- o CD w O 240 220 200 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 0 TOTAL SOLIDS, 'mg/£ 50 000 40 000 10 000 5 000 100 200 300 Figure 6. CHEMICAL DOSAGE, mg/l GST as a function of Fe(III) dosage and septage total solids concentration, Task A. 17 ------- 01 £ -\ Q 50 000 40 000 30 000 20 000 10 000 0 Al(lll) H2SO/+ TREATMENT EH COD 2 2310 3 2720 Fe(lll) 0 100 200 300 400 CHEMICAL DOSAGE, Figure 7. Supernatant COD vs. chemical dosage, Task A. 18 ------- =s? **-^ CT\ ^OJ s 6 000 -\ CO 2 Hi O m 5 000 LU _J • 1^^ < _J > 4 000 _i < H~ O Q 3 000 CO O It ^ 2 000 CO _1 L« r^ ° 1 000 11 1 1 Ho SO/, TREATMENT * _ TOTAL PH SOLIDS .£*-* 2 10130 3 6130 — — Q0TS, Al(lll) ~s °^^^3--CL^n-^a^xE! ^^ TS, Q ^ V ^^^3^^ ^^^TS-^S, TVS, Al(lll) 1 1 1 0 100 200 300 VOLATILE SOLIDS 5190 2590 — Fe(lll) Fe(lll) | 400 CHEMICAL DOSAGE, m3/l Figure 8. Supernatant solids concentrations vs. chemical"dosage, Task A. TASK B - VACUUM FILTRATION OF CONDITIONED SEPTAGE SLUDGE Thickened septage samples, obtained from experimentation in Task A, were filtered using a filter lea,f apparatus. The de- vice simulates a coil spring vacuum filter and was obtained from the Komline-Sanderson Company. The filter membrane was the K-S standard reference screen which has a 93 sq cm (0.1 sq ft) filtering area. Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the test apparatus. 19 ------- VACUUM GAUGE TO VACUUM PUMP FILTRATE VACUUM FLASK SLURRY- TEST LEAF Figure 9. Coilfliter leaf test apparatus. Thickened septage samples tested with the filter leaf apparatus were those treated at optimum chemical dosage. Each of the ten thickened septage samples, treated independently with Al(III), Fe(III), or acid at optimum dosage, were filtered at 52 kPa (7.5 psi) and 103 kPa (15 psi) and at 1, 2 and 4 minute form-times. One hundred and eighty filter leaf tests were conducted in Task B on thickened septage. Measured characteristics included cake thickness, dry cake weight, percent total solids, percent total volatile solids and cake yield. Task B results, for percent total solids and cake yield, are summarized in Table 3. The complete results are shown in Appendix B of this report. Total volatile solids averaged 72% of total solids and cake thickness and dry weights were consistent with the cake yields shown in Table 3. Greater yields were obtained with increased pressure but after the first minute of forming little additional solids capture was observed. This is indicated by a sharp decline in yield, 20 ------- TABLE 3. FILTER LEAF TEST .CAKE RESULTS - TASK B Form Time, min Aluminum Potassium Sulfate 103 kPa(15psi) 52 kPa(7.5psi) Ferric Chloride 103 kPa(15psi) 52 kPa(7.5psi) Sulfuric Acid, pH2- pH3 103 kPa(15psi) 52 kPa(7.5psi) Cake 1 24.5 22.0 24.7 22.3 27.4 23.9 Total % 2 27.5 24.0 27.6 24.6 29.8 25.7 * Solids 4 29.5 26.3 30.2 25.5 31.7 26.4 * Cake Yield Ib/sq 1 1.37 .92 1.20 .90 'l.ll .82 ft-hr** 2 .66 .57 .53 .51 .51 .33 • , 4 36 30 29 23 32 16 ** Ten Sample Averages 1 Ib/sq ft-hr = 4.844 kg/sq m-hr almost in an inverse proportion to changes in form-time. Essentially the same yields and percent solids were obtained with the aluminum potassium sulfate, ferric chloride and the acid treatments. Leaf test filtrate characteristics are summarized.in Table 4 and shown fully in Appendix B. Filtrate total solids and COD concentrations were about the same at all form-times and vacuum pressures. Filtrate COD was slightly less,in samples treated with Al(III) than with either acid for Fe(III). Filtrate total solids were considerably higher in acidified samples than in samples treated with aluminum or iron. TASK C - NEUTRAL pH ADJUSTMENT AFTER CONDITIONING Ferric chloride and aluminum potassium sulfate are salts of strong acids and weak bases and thus tend to depress pH be- low 7 when added to septage. The acidic conditions caused by these coagulants can in time corrode a vacuum filter. Sludges acidified with sulfuric acid are, of course, highly corrosive. The objective of Task C was to readjust sludge samples to a pH of 7 after chemical treatment and sedimentation as a means of protecting dewatering equipment. Lime was added to thicken- ed septage and supernatant samples obtained from Task A. The 21 ------- TABLE 4. FILTER LEAF TEST FILTRATE RESULTS - TASK B Filtrate COD' mg/1 Filtrate Total Solids mg/1 Form Time, min Aluminum Potassium Sulfate 103 kPa(15psi) 52 kPa(7.5psi) 8630 9380 8800 6350 7130 6920 12290 10430 9860 9050 7900 7090 Ferric Chloride 103 kPa(15psi) 9300 10790 11070 5590 7660 7860 52 kPa(7.5psi) 14600 13240 11770 10220 9420 7910 Sulfuric Acid, pH2- pH3 103 kPa(15psi) 12280 52 kPa(7.5psi) 13700 * Ten Sample Averages 12270 11240 11930 11390 11690 13070 12050 12030 11310 10250 supernatant samples were adjusted to see if any additional separation would occur which would tend to improve super- natant clarity. Lime increased the average total solids con- centration in'the septage sludge from 52,850 mg/1, found in Task A, to 56,360 mg/1. S GST values for treated and pH adjusted thickened septage are shown in Figure 10 and Table 5. The non-adjusted data obtained in Task A are shown for comparison. Figure 10 shows that GST values for alum treated sludges averaged about 30 GST units above those obtained for the unlimed samples. A similar result was observed with the ferric chloride treat- ment. Results obtained for the first nine tests with acidi- fied samples, shown in Table 5, indicates that pH adjustment with lime had no effect on GST. Table 6 shows the effects of adding lime to supernatant samples. pH adjustment had no effect on the samples of super- natant obtained from treatment with either aluminum or iron. However, the acidified supernatant clarity was improved by the addition of lime. COD, total solids and volatile solids concentrations were reduced by lime addition but total solids levels were still double values obtained with the Al(III) and Fe(III) treatments. 22 ------- o cu CQ H CO o 220 200 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 °C 1 1 1 1 — _ — - — - s-* Fe(lll), TASK C~ ~ 0®" — ^"C1~^------r-L ~~ \ X\ .<— Fe(lll), Ov XV^ TASK A \ ^VT« AI CT T T) , TASK C - \ • \D ^ * A1 ( T T T ) TA^K A ~ TASK C - pH ADJUSTMENT TO pH7 ~ _ TASK A - NO pH ADJUSTMENT 1 I 1 1 ) 100 200 300 400 ' CHEMICAL DOSAGE, rng/l Figure 10. CST vs. chemical dosage for treated septage, Task C. TABLE 5. CST OF ACID TREATED SEPTAGE SLUDGES WITH AND WITHOUT pH ADJUSTMENT - TASK C pH After Coagulant or Acid Treatment 2 2 3 3 pH After Lime Addition 2 7.0 3 7.0 _* X 67 49 103 82 CST s** 29 53 65 63 Task A C A C *Average **Standard Deviation 23 ------- TABLE 6. SUPERNATANT CHARACTERISTICS FOR pH ADJUSTED AND NON-ADJUSTED SAMPLES - TASK C Treatment COD, mg/1 TOTAL SOLIDS, mg/1 VOLATILE SOLIDS, mg/1 Al(III) No pH adjustment 2130 pH adjusted to 7 1970 2440 3560 840 920 Fe(III) No pH adjustment 2360 pH adjusted to 7 2490 2160 2610 1150 1190 S04, pH2 No lime adjustment 2490 pH adjusted to 7 1820 11560 8000 6020 1020 H2S04/ pH 3 No lime adjustment 2770 pH adjusted to 7 1600 6970 5860 2940 1150 TASK D - VACUUM FILTRATION OF SEPTAGE AND TWAS Septage samples, combined with thickened waste activated sludge (TWAS) were dewatered on a filter leaf apparatus. The apparatus used for this task and for Task B is shown in Figure 9. Septage and thickened waste activated sludge were combined in ratios of 20% septage to 80% TWAS and 50% septage to 50% TWAS, on a solids weight basis. Two procedures were used for combination and treatment. For the first procedure, Mode I, septage and TWAS were chemi- cally treated separately, the septage settled and then thicken- ed septage and TWAS were combined for dewatering. Septage was treated with acid or coagulant and the TWAS was treated with Nalco 7120 polymer. In the second procedure, Mode II, septage and TWAS were combined prior to treatment with coagu- lant and polymer and no settling or decanting employed. After chemical treatment the combined sludges were filter- ed. Cake thicknesses, dry weights, percent total and volatile solids were determined and cake yields were cdmputed. These 24 ------- data are tabulated in Appendix D. Appendix D also includes TWAS. and filtrate characteristics. A summary of results for Mode I (chemical treatment before combination) is shown in Table 7. This table shows total solids and cake yield averages for the 20%/80% and 50%/50% combinations at three form-times and at two vacuum pressures. Table 7 indicates the following: 1. Increased vacuum pressure did not affect percent solids in the 20%/80% samples but caused about an 18% increase in percent solids in the 50%/50% samples. 2. Cake yield was the same at 103 kPa (15psi) and at 52 kPa (7.5psi). 3. Cake dryness increcised with increasing form-time. 4. Cake yields declined almost in proportion to increases in form-time. This indicates that only small amounts of material accumulated after the first minute of forming. 5. A comparison of cake dryness and yield values for the th^ee chemical treatments indicates little difference in the observed results. Yields were low and about the same in all three cases. 6. A comparison of mixture compositions indicates that dryer cakes were obtained with the 50%/50%. This was expected since septage solids would tend to add weight to a cake. However, better yields were ob- tained with the 20% septage/80% TWAS mixture, indi- cating better pick-up and cake thickness. The results of Mode II Cseptage and TWAS combination be- fore treatment) are summarized in Table 8. The results of the Mode II testing are very similar to what was achieved in Mode I and the above stated results for Table 7 are also appro- priate for Table 8. Total solids concentrations were again higher for the 50%/50% mixtures than for the 20% septage/ 80% TWAS mixtures. Cake yields were again superior for the 20%/ 80% mixtures. A comparison of Tables 7 and 8 shows yields about the same for the 20%/80% mixture for both chemical addition pro- cedures. For the 50%/50% mixtures adding coagulant or acid prior to combination of septage and TWAS was advantageous. However, in all cases yields obtained on the filter leaf apparatus were very low when compared with customary full-scale 25 ------- Q V. a EH 1 CO Q H H >H W & a. O EH" CO W EH P4 rt P-l Hi PH W EH Hi H pq • ^ fr"! f*A 5j ^ S CO 0 rtj H |S^ <£ t3 H W eg c5 § Q o D CJ Hi CO K Q o m h EH Ixl rf! w > H Q EH W O EH m 1-1 K Q Hi Ixl H t« W tfP W o (< 00 O \ dP O CM dP O in dP \ d° «• 0 CQ in p H ^^ CO 111 o Hi £ O o EH oo dP O CM .. 0) tn fd -P CO ft P£ 0) !2 rrt p i UJ t^ dP dP •=!< CM ^ CM rH "* CM rH «5f CM rH CD •rl *~^ EH F4 •rl 6 S w o h CM O in r- ------- P NH CO I^J EH 1 CO P H H t* H H EH O ^ O in * \ MfAQ OV it^*l C3 I m 4J MH U1 CO \ rH «. P i-3 ------- vacuum filter yields. In part this was due to the low polymer dosages used in the laboratory tests. Chemical treatment after combination, Mode II, did improve cake dryness. Percent total cake solids were higher in Mode II than in Mode I. About twice the quantity of chemical was needed to perform the Mode II tests for a prescribed quantity of septage since coagulant or acid was added to TWAS and septage. Based upon the similarity of results in Tables 7 and 8 it was concluded that septage treatment prior to combination with TWAS, Mode I, is a preferable procedure for field implementation. A comparison of Task B and Task D results indicates that conditioned septage alone filters as well as it does in com- bination with TWAS. These results were later contradicted by field testing. Summaries of filtrate characteristics for Task D are shown in Tables 9 through 12. The complete results are included in Appendix D. Tables 9 through 12 indicate the following: TABLE 9. FILTER LEAF TEST FILTRATE RESULTS, TASK D, MODE I, 20% SEPTAGE, 80% TWAS Form Time, Al(III) 103 kPa 52 kPa Fe(III) 103 kPa 52 kPa min (15psi) (7.5psi) (15psi) (7.5psi) Sulfuric Acid, pH2-pH3 103 kPa 52 kPa (15psi) (7.5psi) Filtrate COD 1 4300 5140 6630 5710 5240 5020 mg/1 2 5310 3860 6260 4070 4970 3490 4 4760 3460 5040 3330 4570 3460 Filtrate 1 4540 5040 6210 5190 5330 4720 Solids mg/1 2 5190 3500 5850 3600 5050 3850 Total 4 4660 3900 4640 2840 4450 3040 28 ------- TABLE 10. FILTER LEAF TEST,FILTRATE RESULTS, TASK D MODE I, 50% SEPTAGE/50% TWAS Form Time , min Al(III) 103 kPa (15psi) 52 kPa (7.5psi) Pe(III) 103 kPa (15psi) 52 kPa (7.5psi) Sulfuric Acid, pH2-pH3 103 kPa (15psi) 52 kPa (7.5psl) Filtrate COD mg/1 124 5790 5350 4950 6260 4940 4350 7150 6850 6460 7640 6490 5490 7340 7430 6300 8170 6240 5460 Filtrate Total Solids mg/1 1 2 > 4820 5090 5660 4120 6240 5740 6350 5380 6660 6540 7680 6150 4 4790 3620 5510 4600 6090 5180 TABLE 11. FILTER LEAF TEST,FILTRATE RESULTS, TASK D MODE II, 20% SEPTAGE/80% TWAS Form Time, Al(III) 103 kPa 52 kPa Fe(III) 103 kPa 52 kPa loin (15psi) (7.5psi) (15psi) <7.5psi) Sulfuric Acid, pH2-pH3 103 kPa (15psi) 52 kPa (7.5psi) Filtrate COD mg/1 1 2 5050 5480 5080 4210 7220 7150 5480 5000 8370 7880 7010 5880 4 5200 3700 6130 4220 7640 6890 Filtrate Total Solids mg/1 1 5660 5870 7430 6070 9140 9560 2 5930 5070 7070 4850 10540 8900 4 5840 4290 6120 4410 9590 8470 29 ------- TABLE 12. FILTER LEAF TEST,FILTRATE RESULTS, TASK D MODE II, 50% SEPTAGE/50% TWAS Form Time, Al(III) 103 kPa 52 kPa Fe(III) 103 kPa 52 kPa min (15psi) (V.Spsi) (15psi) (7.5psi) Sulfuric Acid, pH2-pH3 103 kPa (15psi) 52 kPa (V.Spsi) Filtrate COD mg/1 1 6840 7060 8130 7880 10020 8510 2 4 7260 6330 6150 5920 8330 7850 7500 6890 9710 8230 8000 7330 Filtrate Total Solids mg/1 1 7040 7180 7350 6800 13870 12440 2 7430 6370 7450 6470 13380 12050 4 7410 6120 7400 6020 12540 10770 COD and total solids concentrations in the leaf apparatus filtrate were more than twice as high as usually experienced when dewatering TWAS with full- scale vacuum filters. Average field test filtrate total solids concentration in this study was 2,800 mg/1; the average concentration measured with the leaf apparatus was 6,400 mg/1. Increased vacuum pressure expectedly resulted in an increase in filtrate solids and, COD concentrations. Concentrations decreased with increasing form-time, reflecting a filtering action of deposited material. Filtering combined septage and TWAS with Al(III) pro- duced the best quality filtrate. Results shown for ferric chloride and acid treatments are appreciably higher than aluminum treatment results. Better filtrate quality was obtained with the 20% septage/80% TWAS mixtures than with the 50%/50% mix- tures and Mode I gave better results than Mode II. 30 ------- SECTION 4 FIELD TESTS EXPERIMENTAL FACILITIES Field tests for the research were conducted at the Med- field, Massachusetts Wastewater Treatment Plant during the months of July and August 1979. Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the treatment plant with the processes in use during the experimental period shown with bold lines. Sewage passes through a 56.8 cu m (15,000 gal) aerated grit chamber into the first of four aeration tanks which are in series. The volume of each aeration tank is 302 cu m (80,800 gal). At the average flow rate during July and August, 0.013 cu m/sec, the deten- tion time in the four basins was about 28 hours. The overflow rate in the single 13.1 m (40 ft) diameter final clarifier, in use, was 9.5 cu m/sq m-day (235 gpd/sq ft). The plant was designed for a flow of 0.055 cu m/sec (1.5 mgd). Sewage flow during the study was only 20% of the design flow rate. As a result the primary sedimentation basins were bypassed; aeration basin and final clarifier detention times were long, and loading parameters were low. . Thickener and vacuum filters were normally used only one day each week and were available for experimentation. Thickened waste activated sludge used for combination with septage contained no primary sludge. Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the sludge handling system at Medfield. Thickener, pump and vacuum filter dimensions and operating parameters are given in Table 13. LIQUID WASTE AND CAKE CHARACTERISTICS During a monitoring study conducted at Medfield in 1978, under this research contract, plant wastewater streams were monitored for a period of three weeks. The results of that baseline study are valid for operating conditions during this study and are shown in Tables 14 and 15. Total solids concen-r tration in waste secondary sludge averaged about 1%. The CST of this material was very low at 9.1 sec. Table 14 also shows vacuum filter filtrate COD and solids average values that can be compared with the results of the septage filtration tests. 31 ------- n: CO | o SAND FILTER I I VACUUM , FILTERS L-P 0 UJ < < 2: QC UJ Q. CO SECONDARY CLARIFIER SLUDGE HOLDING SEWAGE c 1 I 1 1 A r mmmmm 3 1 1 ( X. 31 ~*s f?. 1 AERATION •ZL LU UJ CD ^*- Q i—. i I CO ujl CD | Q ' _J ' CO, I' 2 1 H- 1 S 1 1 1 I »• — [THICKENERS ' r - — < — J / AERATED ih SEPTATE "^ GRIT ® e 1® Z| • •5 • 2 «^ PRIMARY CCTTTI TM/s © SAMPLING LOCATIONS Figure 11.' Process schematic - Medfield Wastewater Treatment Plant. 32 ------- CAKE CONVEYOR BELT—- WASTE - ACTIVATED SLUDGE POLYMER MIXING DRUM VAT PLUNGER PUMP DISSOLVED AIR FLOTATION THICKENER SEPTAGE SEPTAGE &• TWAS TREATMENT AND MIXING TANK AIR MIXING Figure 12. Solids handling train at Medfield. 33 ------- TABLE 13. VACUUM FILTER DIMENSIONS, MEDFIELD VACUUM FILTER Type: Drum Diameter: Drum Width: Surface Area: Drum Speed: Filter Springs: Vacuum Pump: Coilfilter 1.83 m (6 feet) 2.44 m (8 feet) 13.9 sq m (150 sq ft) 1 to 10 min/rotation Stainless steel, Rerolled Type 304, 42.5 kg/sq m (8.7 Ib/sq ft) 13.9 cu m/min at 33 cm Hg (490 cu ft/min at 13 inch Hg) ^T- TABLE 14. BASELINE MIXED LIQUOR, SECONDARY SLUDGE THICKENER SUPERNATANT AND VACUUM FILTRATE CHARACTERISTICS (1978) Mixed Secondary Vacuum Thickener Filter Characteristics COD-Total, mg/1 BOD5-Total, mg/1" BODg-N Suppressed, mg/1 TOC , mg/1 Total Solids, mg/1 Total Volatile Solids, mg/1 Suspended Solids, mg/1 Volatile Suspended Solids, mg/1 PH Liquor Sludge 7910 9830 4670 5850 7580 4570 7.0 Supernatant 26 4.4 0.7 12 329 71 1 1 Filtrate 358 120 101 91 768 381 83 55 Alkalinity, mg/1 as CaCO, Metals, mg/1 Cadmium Chromium Copper Nickel Lead Zinc CST, sec 30-minute Settlo- meter, ml/ml total =241 0.03 0.01 0.07 0.09 0.45 0.23 9.1 695/1000 803/1000 34 0.02 0.08 0.15 0.10 0.23 1.31 ------- TABLE 15. THICKENED WASTE ACTIVATED SLUDGE AND VACUUM FILTER CAKE - BASELINE STUDY (1978) Characteristics Thickened Waste Activated Sludge Vacuum Filter Cake Total Solids, % 5.6 Total Volatile Solids, % of Total 61 Volume, cu m/day 5.36 (gal/day) ' (1420) Capillary Suction Time,, (sec) 12 Metals, mg/kg dry cake Cadmium Chromium Copper Nickel Lead Zinc *after polymer treatment 12.2 61 38 306 1240 179 1330 1080 Table 15 shows average thickened waste activated sludge and cake characteristics measured during the baseline period. At an average flow rate of'0.012 cu m/sec (0.28 mgd) during the baseline period the plant produced 185 kg/day (407 Ib/day) of dry solids with a cake solids dbntent of 12.2%.. During the course of this septage conditioning and vacuum filtration study with plant flow averaging 0.013 cu m/sec (0.3 mgd) thickened sludge and vacuum filter cake characteristics, shown in Table 16, are similar to values obtained during the baseline period. The results shown on Table 16 were for Test 1, conducted during the same period that chemically treated septages were filtered. Samples of vacuum filter filtrate taken during this test were atypical. During the baseline per- iod filtrate COD averaged 820 mg/1; total solids averaged 1,150 mg/1. Volatile solids were 63% of the total solids concen- tration . '- 35 ------- TABLE 16. THICKENED WASTE ACTIVATED SLUDGE AND VACUUM FILTER CAKE - THIS STUDY, TEST #1 Characteristics Thickened Waste Activated Sludge Vacuum Filter Cake Total Solids, % Total Volatile Solids, GST, sec Yield, kg/sq m-hr Ib/sg ft-hr 4.6 62 16 10.3 61 12.1 ( 2.5) FIELD TEST SELECTIONS Laboratory experimentation with septage and TWAS indica- ted that both chemically treated septage and septage combined with TWAS should vacuum filter well. Based upon the laboratory results an initial decision was made to vacuum filter septage alone, treated separately with alum, ferric chloride and sul- furic acid and conditioned septage in combination with treated waste activated sludge. This schedule was modified when it became apparent that chemically treated septage cannot be de- watered on coil spring filters without the addition of thicken- ed waste activated sludge. Table 17 shows the field test program. Aluminum and acid treated septage was filtered alone without the aid of polymer, as was done in the laboratory tests. The acid treated septage was also filtered with polymer after the failure of the septage-without-polymer test. Septage and TWAS were com- bined in approximately equal mixtures, on a solids weight basis, after the septage had been treated with either alum, acid or ferric chloride. In addition, tests were conducted with TWAS only, alum added to a 14.6% septage mixture, and iron added to a 23.1% septage mixture. At the request of the plant operators a final test was conducted in which 1.9 cu m (500 gal) of untreated septage was added to 8.3 cu m (2,200 gal) of thickened waste activated sludge. FIELD TEST PROCEDURES Septage used for field testing was held in one of two .: 45.5 cu m (12,000 gal) tanks normally used to hold thickened waste activated sludge prior to vacuum filtration. A diffuser in the tank provided mixing. Septage was either discharged 36 ------- TABLE 17. VACUUM FILTRATION FIELD TESTS Test No. Chemical Treatment Coagulant Dosage Septage TWAS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Polymer Al(III) & Al(III) & Al(III) & Fe(III) & Fe(III) & (no (no H?SO, H2SO4 Polymer Polymer Polymer Polymer Polymer Polymer polymer) polymer) polymer) 80 100 130 180 270 pH 3 pH 4 . 4 pH 3 100 14.6 55 23.1 44.8 46.7 100 100 1.4 100 0 85.4 45 76.9 55.2 53.3 0 98.6 directly from incoming trucks to the tank or transferred by pump from an aerated grit chamber, where excess septage was stored. Septage was not screened and every effort was made to obtain high solids concentrations. Settlometer and Capillary Suction Time (CST) tests were conducted on septage samples and optimum chemical dosages determined. Based upon these tests required quantities of either acid, alum or ferric chloride were added to full tanks of septage. Septage and chemicals were mixed for 30 minutes and settled for 24 hours. Supernatant was decanted and the treated sludge was either fed directly to the vacuum filter or mixed with TWAS and fed to the filter. Settling cones were used to predict thickened • septage quantity and the amount of supernatant to be drawn off. The interface between solids and supernatant was distinct and while pumping supernatant, the liquid darkened quickly upon reaching the'in- ter face. The decision to treat septage prior to mixing with thickened waste activated sludge was based upon the labora- ,tory work which showed that cake yields, cake dryness and fil- trate quality were'about the same whether chemical condition- ing was done before or after combination. The before-com- bination procedure (Mode I) was used in the field test to re- duce chemical usage. In addition, more sample could be treat- ed in the 45.,4 cu m (12,000 gal) tank, with pretreatment and decanting prior to combination, because of the need to mix TWAS and conditioned septage prior to filtration. 37 ------- SECTION 5 FIELD TEST RESULTS SEPTAGE TREATMENT WITH ALUMINUM SULFATE On three occasions powdered aluminum sulfate was mixed with about 45 cu m (12,000 gal) of septage. Quantities of septage and thickened waste activated sludge, and the chemical concentrations used in each test are shown in Tables 18 through 23. These tables also show the effects of chemical condition- ing and septage/TWAS mixture ratio, on cake production, and supernatant and filtrate quality. TABLE 18. FIELD TEST RESULTS, SEPTAGE, ALUM TREATMENT Field Test Number: Test Date: Mixture: Chemical Treatment: 7/10/79 100% Septage 80 mg/1 as Al(III) Initial Septage Volume: 47.3 cu m (12,500 gal) Thickened Septage Volume:11.7 cu m (3,100 gal) Characteristic Total Solids, mg/1 Volatile Solids, mg/1 COD, mg/1 CST, sec pH Alk, mg/1 CaCO3 Raw Septage 9 950 7 450 16 730 169 6.3 595 Thickened Septage ; 37 180 27 190 54 150 40 5.0 Septage Supernatant 9.50 490 750 38 ------- Alum Conditioned Septage Without TWAS - Test 2 Table 18 shows the effects of adding 80 mg/1 of Al(III) to 47.3 cu m (12,500 gal) of septage with an initial total solids concentration of 9,950 mg/1. This concentration of Al(III) was the lowest used in all tests but in the mixed condit'ioned septage CST was reduced from 169 seconds to 10.3 seconds. Increasing the dosage to 140 mg/1 only reduced the CST furthur to 9.7 seconds. The conditioned septage solids settled to 27% of the original volume. The CST was reduced from 169 seconds in raw septage to 40 seconds in the thickened septage. At the initial value the septage could not be vacuum filtered, at 40 seconds filtration should be possible. De- canted supernatant COD and solids concentrations were only_ about twice that of domestic sewage and constituted an insig- nificant load on the treatment plant liquid stream. For example, treating a volume of septage equal to 2% of a plant'1 s flow rate would only increase the COD and solids input to the liquid stream by 4%. ' Table 19 shows vacuum, filter test results. At each selected vacuum pressure and drum rotational speed three samples were taken at ten minute intervals. Form and_ drying times were dependent upon drum submergence, which ranged from 15 to 25% and averaged about 20%. Drying time averaged 50% and the remaining 30% was release time. Table 19 shows the characteristics of conditioned thicken- ed septage in the vacuum filter vat, during the course of the test. Average COD and total solids were 54,140 mg/1- and 37,180 mg/1 respectively. Concentrations were consistent throughout the run and were the same as those measured in the septage holding tank shown on Table 17. Septage produced a comparatively dry cake but the dry solids yield averaged only 4.75 kg/sq m-hr (0.20 Ib/sq ft-hr). Based upon this result coil spring vacuum filtration of -alum treated septage, without the addition of thickened waste activated sludge and without polymer is not considered feasible. Cake yields shown in Table 19 progressively decreased during the course of the test. This was'caused by granular material in the septage progressively clogging the filter medium. At the end of the septage filter run filtration was attempted with a 50% alum conditioned septage/50% TWAS mixture. This mixture should have filtered well but no cake was produced. After filtration several hours were spent washing the filter medium with a fire hose. This is not normal practice at the plant nor was it necessary after .filtering mixtures of septage and thickened waste activated sludge. The failure of this attempt to vacuum filter conditioned septage is also indicated by the filtrate data, included on 39 ------- TABLE 19. CAKE AND FILTRATE CHARACTERISTICS SEPTAGE, ALUM TREATMENT Field Test Number: 2 Mixture: 100% Septage Chemical Treatment: 80 mg/1 as Al(I.II) Filtration Pressure, psi* Cycle Time, min:sec Vat Contents COD, mg/1** ^ Total Solids, mg/1 Volatile Solids, ^ ** mg/1 pH Vacuum Filter Cake Total Solids, %t Volatile Solids,1" % of Total Cake Yield, (lb/ sq ft-hr)tt Filtrate COD, mg/1** Total Solids, mg/1** Volatile Solids, % of Total pH** 9 8:50 52930 37830 27140 5.6 18.6 72.5 0 . 32 18020 13350 69.4 5.6 15 8:50 54710 39360 28300 5.6 19.1 75.3 0.27 21150 15290 70.7 5.9 15 4:59 57510 38190 28070 5.0 20.3 76.6 0.20 24080 15100 72.2 5.6 7 4:59 53690 36360 26800 5.4 21.3 78.1 0.14 18860 13810 72.9 5.9 15 10:14 51910 34180 25650 5.3 20.7 78.4 0.09 19770 13620 74.0 6.0 1 psi = 6.9 kPa **Averages of 3 samples taken at 10 minute intervals t Averages of 2 samples taken at 10 minute intervals ttDry solids' yield, one sample 1 Ib/sq ft = 4.844 kg/sq m Table 19. Filtrate COD and total solids concentrations were ten times higher than values monitored during both normal filter operation with TWAS (See Table 14) and operation with mixtures of septage and TWAS. Alum Conditioned Septage Combined with TWAS - Test 3 In the third test 46.6 cu m (12,300 gal) of a compara- tively weak septage was treated with 100 mg/1 of aluminum sul- 40 ------- fate. The settled solids occupied only 5.3 cu m (1,400, gal) at a solids concentration of slightly over 2%. Experimentation with large quantities of septage over the course of this and previous research has shown that, weak septage, with, total solids concentrations between 3,000 mg/1 and 7,000 mg/1 are the rule. Loads in excess of 20,000 mg/1 were seldom encountered in pumpage from domestic septic tanks. This suggests that a large quantity of septage could be held for dewatering by collecting solids in a tank. This could be accomplished by chemically treating and mixing when a tank was full, decanting supernatant, adding more septage and repeating the process. In Test 3 a thickened waste activated sludge, TWAS was added to the chemically treated septage sludge in a ratio of 14.6% septage to 85.4% TWAS. The measured total solids con- centration of!the mixture was over 4%. Chemical characteris- tics of the septage, thickened septage and supernatant, TWAS and the mixture are shown on Table 20. TABLE 20. FIELD TEST RESULTS, SEPTAGE AND TWAS, ALUM TREATMENT Field Test Number: 3 Test Date: 7/2/79 Mixture: 14.6% Septage/85.4% TWAS Chemical Treatment: 100 mg/1 as Al(III) Initial Septage Volume: 46.6 cu m(12,300 gal) Thickened Septage Vol: 5.3 cu m(1,400 gal) ;~~:Thickened Raw Thickened Super- .Septage & Characteristic Septage Total Solids, mg/1 Volatile Solids, mg/1 COD, mg/1 CST, sec pH . _ . • Alk, mg/1 CaCO3 3059 2073 4730 48 5.5 207 Septage, natant TWAS 21520 1650 16150 640 920 , 4.4 43390 26830 30040 16 6.9 TWAS 44960 29100, 6.9 polymer was added to waste activated sludge during thick- ening jand it was again added to the septage/TWAS mixture during vacuuri filtration. For addition to the septage/TWAS mixture 41 ------- polymer was -diluted to 16% of its commercial strength and this solution was fed at a rate of 94.6 £/hr (25 gal/hr) . This solution and feed rate were used for all tests employing poly- mer addition with the exception of Test 10. In Test 10 a 50% stronger solution was used. Polymer was added in all tests except Tests 2 and 8. The results of the vacuum filter test are shown on Table 21. Cake yields averaged 80.7 kg/sq m-hr (3.4 Ib/sq ft-hr). This yield was as good or better than usually achieved, treating secondary sludge, at this plant. Table 16 showed a yield of 59.3 kg/sq m-hr (2.5 Ib/sq ft-hr) for the initial test with TWAS and no septage. Cake dryness in Tests 1 and 3 (Tables 16 and 21) were about the same. The fairly wet, 10% to 12% solids content, is characteristic of polymer treated secondary sludge. In addition, vacuum pressure on the drying cycle was low during all tests. Attempts to increase pressure were not successful. Yields were slightly improved at the higher drum rotational speeds, indicated by a comparison of the last four columns in Table 21. Filter clogging was not experienced with the septage/TWAS' mixture as it was in the previous test - the highest yield was measured at the end of the test period. Table 21 also shows polymer conditioned,septage and TWAS mixture solids content, measured in the vacuum filter vat. These values were consistent with holding tank concentrations. Filtrate characteristics are also shown on Table 21. The filtrate varied from a relatively clear solution, monitored at 27.6 kPa (4 psi) to a moderately high solids content solu- tion at pressures of 41 kPa (6 psi) and above. This test showed conclusively that alum treated septage in combination with TWAS in the proportions used, is easily vacuum filtered. Yields were better than average for Medfield and filtrate quality was acceptable. Alum Conditioned Septage Combined with TWAS - Test 4 Septage was again treated with aluminum sulfate in Test 4 and combined with TWAS after decanting the septage super- natant. The mixture used in this test was 55% septage and 45% TWAS, on a solids weight basis. Table 22 shows septage, TWAS and mixture characteristics. Septage settled to about half of its original volume before decanting. The decanted super- natant was clear with the COD and solids concentrations shown on Table 22, characteristic of alum treated septage. Alum conditioning of the relatively strong septage produced a sludge with better than 4% solids. In combination with TWAS the mix- ture solids content averaged about 5%. The CST of the initial septage was a high 148 seconds.' After conditioning and com- bination with TWAS the CST was a very low 5.1 sec. A solids 42 ------- EH 55 W A EH (^ s EH a y 1-3 P-s co is ^ Q rH 0 0 ' CM CM CM rH W3 oo r~ rH 00 rH m o\° (J1 W CD* •> \ *4* ra* ^3 fd c\° rCi* rH Vacuum Filter C Total Solids, Volatile Soli of Total Cake Yield, ( f t-hr) T o o "3* en in f- • • V^ ^f i — 1 **D '*3> m <*D o o en en *£> r^ • • OO VD "sf VD rH H in o o o en o a\ H vo "* "* ^° o o in en in o en vo ^ in ^o o o oo en CM in • • <*D en oo vo CM CM «3 o o r-> r~ 0 l> • • «3 00 CM VD CM CM in 4- IH4- 4- O rH 4- fd rH *o -P \ O &i .-En g CQ rd Filtrate COD, mg/l^t Total Solids, Volatile Soli --pHtt - d rt o o 00 • M-i oo in O en vs •=F fd d H do oo 2 m • PH O OO 1 o vo •H s d 0 l> M-I r~ • O oo oo -P rH (ti ' -P CO 4- IH4- ' 4- O rH 4- fd H o\° -P \ O CT> -En g^ Vat Contents: Total Solids, Volatile Soli ,— * s tr1 w tn •^ ^ oo e •^ II W -P W rH M-l rH fd fd > & > M en M CD ^ CD -P ft 4J Cl rH S-H •H -H rH ' CD (D -P 1 -P j3 3 d w d -H CD -H S tri £ fd o M o rH O rH -P fd -P td fd CD------- TABLE 22. FIELD TEST RESULTS, SEPTAGE AND TWAS, ALUM TREATMENT Field Test Number: Test Date: Mixture: Chemical Treatment: Initial Septage Volume: Thickened Septage Vol: 7/12/79 55% Septage/45% TWAS 130 mg/1 as Al(III) 43.9 cu m(ll,600 gal) 24.2 cu m(6,400 gal) Characteristic Total Solids, mg/1 Volatile Solids, mg/1 COD, mg/1 GST, sec PH Alk, mg/1 CaCO_ Raw Thickened Super- Septage Septaoe natant 16400 11760 27730 148 6.3 670 45690 1070 32620 280 60870 810 ' 31 5.6 6.0 Thickened Septage & TWAS TWAS 47900 52770 26430 35170 13 5.1 6.5 > 6.2 content of 5%, a CST value of 5.1 seconds and the appearance of the mixture after polymer addition all indicated that the sludge would filter well. Table 23 shows the results of the filter run. Vat contents in Test 4 were consistent over the course of the run and appreciably the same as in the holding tank. The contents of the holding tank were well mixed with air during the filter run. A comparison of percent volatile solids in septage (72%), TWAS (55%) and the mixture (67%), also shows that no separation of septage and TWAS occurred either in transfer or during filtration. Cake yields monitored during Test 4 were the highest ob- tained during the experimental period and were more than double yields normally recorded at Medfield. The maximum yield, 44 kg of dry solids/sq m-hr (9.0 Ib/sq ft-hr) was extraordin- ary and exceeded the capacity of the sludge transfer pump. The diaphragm, thickened sludge transfer pump at Medfield has a maximum capacity of 3£/sec (48 gpm). At maximum pump out- put and a drum speed of 2 minutes and 32 seconds per cycle the 44------- TABLE 23. CAKE AND FILTRATE CHARACTERISTICS, SEPTAGE AND TWAS, ALUM TREATMENT. Field Test Number: 4 Mixture: 55% Septage/45% TWAS Chemical Treatment: 130 mg/1 as Al(III) Filtration Pressure, psi Cycle Time, min:sec 6 9:07 6 5:36 8 4:00 5 3:53 8 2:32 Vat Contents Total Solids,mg/1 Volatile Solids, 55200 55220 44530 48690 * 1 psi = 6.9 kPa ** Averages of 3 samples taken at 10 minute intervals t Dry solids yield, two-sample averages. 1 Ib/sq ft = 4.844 kg/sq m 60200 c 1 PH '5 of Total 67.8 6.2 67.1 6.2 65.1 6.3 66.0 6.3 66.9 6.2 Vacuum Filter Cake^ Total Solids, % Volatile Solids, •*••*• % of Total Cake Yield, (lb/ sq ft-hr) f 13. 67. 4. 8 7 8 12 66 5 .7 .7 .9 11 64 6 .5 .2 .9 12 62 6 .2 .3 .7 12. 62. 9. 7 1 0 Filtrate COD, mg/1** Total Solids, mg/1** 710 940 920 1210 . 1850 2290 1820 2290 2850 2830 Volatile Solids, % of Total** PH** 31.6 6.6 41.4 6.9 54.0 6.9 55.6 6.9 62.8 6.9 vacuum filter vat contents were rapidly depleted. The drum was operated at maximum speed. Pressure variation did not appear to affect cake yield but yields were significantly in- creased by increasing drum speeds. Figure 13 shows cake yield as a function of cycle time. The curve shows an increa- sing rate of yield with increasing drum speed. It is quite possible that if drum speed could have 'been increased and sludge pumpage to the filter vat increased, yields in excess of 44 kg/sq m-hr (9 lb sq ft-hr) would have been achieved. The average yield during Test 4 was 32.5 kg/sq m-hr (6.7 Ib/sq ft-hr). Cake total solids content averaged 12.6% in this test 45------- 10 8 i -P -' 4 -\ Q LU I— « >- 2 UJ 0 Al(l11), TEST 55%/457o MIXTURE Fe(lll), TEST 5 23.17o/76.97o MIXTURE 0 4 10 CYCLE TIME, min Figure 13. Cake yield vs. vacuum filter cycle time, field test. as compared with 11.4% for the 14.6%/85.4% mixture test and 10.3% for the Test 1 (TWAS only.) Septage solids increased cake dryness as well as cake yield. Filtrate COD,' total and volatile solids data for Test 4 are also included in Table 23. Filtrate quality was ex- cellent during the entire run but solids content increased steadily with increasing drum speed. Volatile solids data indicate increasing organic solids in the filtrate with 46------- increasing rotational speed. At the low speeds the major solids fraction was composed of dissolved inorganic consti- tuents, however, as the drum speed increased particulate or- ganics filtered through the filtering medium. Field Test 4 showed the feasibility of alum-conditioning and filtering septage in about equal mixture in combination , with thickened waste activated sludge. In fact, Test 4 showed that improved cake yields are obtained when alum conditioned septage is filtered with an equal weight of TWAS. Septage odor was apparent in the vacuum filter building but was not deemed excessive or objectionable by plant per- sonnel. Odor production was substantially increased in later tests conducted at low pH. SEPTAGE TREATMENT WITH FERRIC CHLORIDE A 42% solution of ferric chloride was used to .condition two quantities of septage prior to combination with TWAS and vacuum filtration. The results of these tests are summarized in Tables 24 through 27: Tests 5 and 6. Septage was treated with Fe(III), settled for 24 hours and the supernatant decan- ted. The conditioned sludge was combined with thickened waste activated sludge, TWAS, in ratios of 23.1% septage to 76.9% TWAS and 44.8% septage to 55.2% TWAS. Based upon_the failure encountered in attempting to filter alum conditioned septage without TWAS, filtration of ferric chloride treated septage was not tried. Ferric Chloride Conditioned Septage with TWAS - Test 5 Table 24 shows characteristics of the raw and conditioned sludges used for Test 5. Fe(III) treatment reduced the septage to 30% of its initial volume. The supernatant was low in solids and organic content and similar in quality to the alum treated supernatant. Conditioned thickened septage and TWAS had a solids content in excess of 5% and a CST of 6.0 sec. These characteristics and the appearance of the sludge indi- cated that it should filter well. • Table 25 shows the results of the filter test. Vat_con- tents were maintained at solids concentrations measured ini- tially in the holding tank. Cake yields averaged 21.3 kg/sq m- hr (4.4 Ib/sq ft-hr) and reached a maximum of 31 kg/sq m-hr (6.4 Ib/sq ft-hr) at a drum speed of 3 minutes and 50 seconds per cycle. This compares with a similar yield of 33 kg/sq' m-hr (6.8 Ib/sq ft-hr) at a rotational speed of 4 minutes per cycle for the 55%/45% alum treated mixture. However, the yields, although excellent, were less than experienced with alum. Yields monitored in Test 5 are shown on Figure 13. Filtrate 47------- TABLE 24. FIELD TEST RESULTS, SEPTAGE AND TWAS, IRON TREATMENT Field Test Number: Test Date: Mixture: Chemical Treatment: Initial Septage Volume: Thickened Septage Vol: 7/17/79 23.1% Septage/76.9% TWAS 180 mg/1 as Fe(III) 36.3 cu m(9,600 gal) 10.8 cu m(2,850 gal) Characteristic Raw Thickened Super- Septage Sept acre natant Thickened Septage & TWAS TWAS Total Solids, mg/1 5340 28080 1110 Volatile Solids, mg/1 4200 22150 530 COD, mg/1 9270 42500 750 CST, sec 138 PH 7.2 5.9 5.6 51130 30100 33590 15 5.6 55120 35720 6.0 6.4 Alk, mg/1 CaCO. 580 quality was excellent over the course of the Fe(III) test. However, filtrate solids and COD values increased with in- creasing drum speed. Ferric Chloride Conditioned Septage with TWAS - Test 6 A moderately strong septage was used for the second Fe(III) test. Sludge characteristics are shown on Table 26. . The combined mixture of 44.8% conditioned septage and 55.2% TWAS had a solids content in excess of 5%. The CST was re- duced from 155 seconds in raw septage to 121 seconds in thickened septage and to 5.4 seconds in the conditioned sep- tage-TWAS mixture. The thickened septage CST measurement was considerably higher than values 'obtained in laboratory experi- ments. CST measurements of the conditioned septage prior to settling in settlometers at Medfield for chemical dosing between 140 mg/1 and 300 mg/1 of Fe(III), was between 16.8 seconds and 6.0 seconds. 48------- TABLE 25. CAKE AND FILTRATE CHARACTERISTICS, SEPTAGE AND TWAS, IRON TREATMENT Field Test Number: 5 Mixture: 23.1% Septage/76.9% TWAS Chemical Treatment: 180 mg/1 as Fe(III) Filtration Pressure, psi* Cycle Time, min:sec 7 9:13 7 6:50 7 4:55 8 3:50 Vat Contents Total Solids, mg/1 Volatile Solids ** 45600 60700 55750 58410 mg/1** PH** Vacuum Filter Cake Total Solids, %** Volatile Solids, % of Total** Cake Yield, (lb/ . sq ft-hr)t Filtrate ^ COD, mg/1 i Total Solids, mg/1 Volatile Solids, % Total** „** pH 30950 6.2 13.3 62.9 3.3 t* 77° 890 of 48.1 6.8 40550 6.4 12.8 61.9 3.8 1060 1030 62.4 6.7 35150 6.4 10.1 60.0 4.1 2390 2580 62.3 6.8 36220 6.4 10.1 57.0 6.4 2550 2980 61.9 6.9 * 1 psi =6.9 kPa ** Averages of 3 samples taken at 10 minute intervals t Dry Solids yield, two-sample averages. 1 Ib/sq ft = 4.844 kg/sq m Table 27 shows cake and filtrate characteristics measured for the polymer treated, 44.8% septage/55.2% TWAS mixture. Cake solids content averaged 12.2%, yield averaged 19.7 kg/sq m-hr (4.1 Ib/sq ft-hr). Cake yield was again excellent and increased with increasing drum speed. Filtrate quality was excellent at the low drum speeds but deteriorated at_a rotational speed of 3 minutes and 44 seconds. Volatile 49------- TABLE 26. FIELD TEST RESULTS, SEPTAGE AND TWAS, IRON TREATMENT Field Test Number: Test Date: Mixture: Chemical Treatment: Initial Septage Volume: Thickened Septage Vol: 7/20/79 44.8% Septage/55.2% TWAS 220 mg/1 as Fe(III) 44.3 cu m(ll,700 gal) 15.5 cu m(4,100 gal) Thickened Raw Thickened Super- Septage & Septage Septage natant TWAS TWAS Characteristics Total Solids, mg/1 Volatile Solids, mg/1 COD, mg/1 GST, sec pH Alk, mg/1 CaCO_ 11790 9410 17810 155 6.1 680 25610 19920 37580 121 5.2 1600 880 2760 5.2 49230 31020 36860 7.0 6.6 51470 35760 5.4 6.0 solids values also indicate the increasing organic solids breakthrough with increasing drum speed. ACID TREATMENT OF SEPTAGE Three filter runs were conducted with septage that had been chemically treated with sulfuric acid. Septage was acidified to a pH between 2 and 3, settled and the supernatant decanted. In the first test acidified thickened septage was combined with TWAS in a ratio of 46.7% septage to 53.3% TWAS, conditioned with polymer, and filtered. This was followed by two tests with just acidified septage: one with polymer conditioning, the other without. Acid Conditioned Septage with TWAS - Test 7 Sulfuric acid added to 43.7 cu m (11,550 gal) of raw septage reduced the pH to 3. Settled solids occupied 36% of the initial volume. Combined septage and TWAS sludge had a solids content in excess of 4%, comparable to the alum and ferric chloride treated sludges and adequate for filtration. 50------- TABLE 27. CAKE AND FILTRATE CHARACTERISTICS, SEPTAGE AND TWAS, IRON TREATMENT Field Test Number: Mixture: Chemical Treatment: 44.8% Septage/55.2% TWAS 220 mg/1 as Pe(III) Filtration Pressure, psi* Cycle Time, min:sec Vat Contents ^* Total Solids, mg/1 Volatile Solids ^^ ..mg/1 Vacuum Filter Cake Total Solids, %** Volatile Solids, % of Total** Cake Yield, (lb/ sq f t-hr) t Filtrate AA COD, mg/1 ^A Total Solids, mg/1 Volatile Solids, % of Total** pH** , 7 9:35 44360 30590 14.3 67.3 3.8 1130 1160 43.9 5.9 7 6:34 51220 34920 12.8 64.5 3.9 1420 1370 53.2 6.2 8 4:48 55130 39170 12.2 ' 63.1 3.8 2310 2130 61.2 6.2 9 3:44 55160 38340 10.6 64.6 4.8 5440 4890 63.7 6.0 10 6:49 10.9 65.5 4.0 > 2650 2310 55.5 6.1 * 1 psi = 6.9 kPa ** Averages of. 3 samples taken at 10 minute intervals t Dry Solids yield, two-sample averages 1 Ib/sq ft = 4.844 kg/sq m Septage CST, shown on Table 28, was' reduced to a low value, also comparable with the other types of treatment, and indi- cative of good filtering sludge. Supernatant COD and solids content were about twice as high as experienced with the, iron and aluminum coagulants. This result was consistent with the laboratory test results. At an organic and solids concentration of about 5 times that of domestic sewage, the supernatant load on the plant was in- significant. 51------- TABLE 28. FIELD TEST RESULTS, SEPTAGE AND TWAS, ACID TREATMENT Field Test Number: Test Date: Mixture: Chemical Treatment: Initial Se'ptage Volume: Thickened Septage Vol: 7/24/79 46.7% Septage/53.3% TWAS H2SO4 to pH 3.0 43.7 cu m(ll,550 gal) 15.9 cu m(4,200 gal) Thickened Characteristics Total Solids, mg/1 Volatile Solids, mg/1 COD , mg/1 GST, sec pH Alk, mg/1 CaCO3 Raw Thickened Septage Septage 8480 6530 14330 116 5.9 610 31720 26030 45670 48 3.8 Super- Septage & natant TWAS TWAS 2440 47780 1130 . 27920 1860 30709 7.0 3.0 6.4 43360 31920 5.4 6.4 Table 29 shows the results of the filter run. The con- centration of the vat mixture increased during the course of the test. This trend observed in this test and to a slight extent in other tests, may have been caused by vacuum dewater- ing through the submerged belt in excess of the collected cake. Cake yield in this test averaged 18 kg/sq m-hr (3.8 lb/ sq ft-hr), which is comparable with the other septage/TWAS test results and better than achieved with only TWAS. The cake produced with acidified septage was significantly dryer than those produced with the chemical coagulants. Percent solids averaged 15.2%. This was the dryest cake obtained in the study. At comparable drum speeds and septage to TWAS ratios fil- trate COD and solids concentrations were about the same with either alum or ferric chloride treatment. Concentrations were higher with acidification. For example with about 50/50 mix- tures of septage and TWAS, cycle times between 4 and 9 minutes, filtration pressures between 27 and 62 kPa (6 and 9 psi) fil- trate total solids concentrations for alum, ferric chloride 52------- TABLE 29. CAKE AND FILTRATE CHARACTERISTICS, SEPTAGE AND TWAS, ACID TREATMENT Field Test Number: Mixture: Chemical Treatment: 46.7% Septage/53.3% TWAS H2S04 to pH 3.0 Filtration Pressure, psi* Cycle Time, min:sec Vat Contents Total Solids, mg/1** Volatile Solids, mg/1** Vacuum Filter Cake Total Solids, %** Volatile Solids, % of Total** Cake Yield, (lb/ sq f t-hr) t Filtrate COD, mg/1** Total Solids, mg/1** Volatile Solids, % of Total** pH** 7 8:12 39090 28850 14.6 70.4 3.6 1310 2010 47.2 5.0 9 6:13 43300 29600 13.6 70.8 3.1 1840 2640 50.6 5.0 10 4:48 44310 32260 15.9 71.2 3.6 3370 4050 57.3 4.9 13 3:32 49730 36940 16.6 4.7 6060 6060 63.4 5.0 11 6:30 2990 3540 58.5 5.5 * 1 psi =6.9 kPa ** Average of 3 samples taken at 10 minute intervals t Dry Solids yield, two-sample intervals 1 Ib/sq ft = 4.844 kg/sq m and acid treatments were 1,480 mg/1, 1,550 mg/1 and 2,320 mg/1, respectively. Comparatively, high vacuum pressures, up to , 90 kPa (13 psi) were possible during tests with acidified septage but not when alum or ferric chloride was used. Filtration of Acid Conditioned Septage - Tests 8 and 9 Table 30 shows solids concentrations in sludges used for Tests 8 and 9. The septage settled to 49% of its initial 53------- TABLE 30.- FIELD TEST RESULTS, SEPTAGE, ACID TREATMENT Field Test Number: Test Date: Mixture: Chemical Treatment: Initial Septage Volume: Thickened Septage Vol: 8 and 9 7/26/79 100% Septage/0% TWAS H2SO4 to pH 2.6 38.6 cu m(10,200 gal) 18.7 cu m(4,950 gal.) Characteristics Raw Thickened Super- Septage Septage natant TWAS Thickened" Septage &' TWAS Total Solids, mg/1 27200 51160 4980 Volatile Solids, mg/1 18730 36100 1520 COD, mg/1 38800 2550 CST, sec 133 66 pH 5.2 4.2 2.5 Alk, mg/1 CaC03 9.80 volume at pH 2.6. The supernatant was characteristically high in solids content, although extremely strong septage was used for the test. Treated sludge solids content exceeded 5% which is more than adequate for filtration but the high CST indicated poor filterability. The pH of the supernatant was 2.5, prior to decanting. Acid conditioned septage in the vat had a pH of 4.5 in Test 8 and 3.8 in Test 9. This was the result of chemical reactions involving the solid materials. Table 31 shows the results of the two tests: Test 8, filtration without polymer and Test 9, with polymer added to the sludge. In both tests a slow drum speed was used and the filter was cleaned between tests. The yield in Test 8 was only 3 kg/sq m-hr (0.61 Ib/sq ft-hr) and in Test 9 the filter did not produce a cake. In both tests filtrate quality was extremely poor with COD and solids concentrations exceeding 10,000 mg/1. The two tests demonstrated the infeasibility of filtering acid treated septage, with or without polymer conditioning 54------- TABLE 31. CAKE AND FILTRATE CHARACTERISTICS, SEPTAGE, ACID TREATMENT Field Test Number: Mixture: Chemical Treatment: 8 and 9 100% Septage/0% TWAS H2S04 to pH 2.6 Filtration Pressure, psi* Cycle Time, min:sec Test No. 8 9** 8:15 Test No. 9 g*** 8:26 Vat Contents Total Solids, mg/1 Volatile Solids, 62280 40030 mg/1 pH Vacuum Filter Cake Total Solids, % Volatile Solids, % of Total Cake Yield, (lb/ sq f t-hr) t Filtrate COD, mg/1 Total Solids/mg/1 Volatile Solids, % of Total pH ' 44050 .4.5 16.8 75.6 0.61 15680 10430 66.7 4.4 28150 3.8 18.3 76.9 Not Measurable 17450 13730 65.8 3.0 ** 1 psi =6.9 kPa No polymer added *** Polymer added at 150% of normal rate t- Dry solids yield, two-sample intervals 1 Ib/sq ft. = 4.844 kg/sq m on coil spring filters. The filters produced little or no cake, .clogged rapidly and produced high solids content filtrate. 55------- Thickened Waste Activated Sludge with Untreated Septage - Test To ~ : In this final test 8.3 cu m (2,200 gal) of thickened waste activated sludge was mixed with 1.9 cu m (500 gal) of untreated septage. The mixture was conditioned with polymer and vacuum filtered. Results are shown in Tables 32 and 33. TABLE 32. FIELD TEST RESULTS, SEPTAGE AND TWAS, NO TREATMENT Field Test Number: Test Date: Mixture: Chemical Treatment: Initial Septage Volume: Thickened Septage Vol: 10 7/31/79 1.4% Septage/98.6% TWAS None other than polymer 1.9 cu m(500 gal) Characteristics Raw Thickened Super- Septage Septage natant TWAS Thickened Septage & TWAS Total Solids, mg/1 3030 Volatile Solids, mg/1 2360 COD, mg/1 4520 CST, sec 11 pH 6.6 Alk, mg/1 CaCO. 290 72430 39800 *Calculated from raw septage and vat contents values Septage strength in this test was extremely weak and appeared only to dilute the TWAS and change its color from brown to gray. The polymer feed tank was filled with leftover solution which was fifty percent stronger than that used in the previous runs. As a result coagulation of the mixture resulted, in an oatmeal appearance with obvious separation of solids and liquid in the filter vat. Attempts were made to maintain approximately 25% filter submergence. However, the vat contents became so thick that as the mat formed the sludge in the vat balled up and stripped 56------- TABLE 33. CAKE AND FILTRATE CHARACTERISTICS, SEPTAGE AND TWAS, NO TREATMENT Field Test Number: Mixture: Chemical Treatment: 10 1.4% Septage/98.6% TWAS None other than polymer Filtration Pressure psi* Cycle Time, min:sec 6 10:26 4 10 5:31 3:34 Vat Contents Total Solids,mg/1** 22590 Volatile Solids, mg/1** ,14880 pH** 5.8 68430 36400 5.9 69220 38320 6.0 Vacuum Filter Cake Total Solids, %** Volatile Solids, % of Total** Cake Yield, (Ib/sq •ft-hr) t 13-. 9 61.4 0.74 12.1 51.6 5.74 9.7 53.9 3.84 Filtrate COD, mg/1** Total Solids, mg/1** Volatile Solids, % of Total** pH** 1150 1430 55.6 6.3 690 808 50.0 6,5 4830 5970 •61.4 6.2 * ** t 1 psi =6.9 kPa Averages of 3 samples taken at I'O minute intervals Dry solids yield, two-sample intervals 1 Ib/sq ft = 4.844 kg/sq m the mat from the coils. This definitely reduced the observed yields obtained, although they were highly satisfactory. In order to filter this material optimally it would have been necessary to reduce submergence to perhaps 15%. This was made clear when emptying the vat at the end of the run. As vat depth decreased the cake formed well on the coils - uni- formly covering the coils to a depth of 1/2 to 3/4 inch. TWAS 'solids concentrations were calculated from mass balance considerations using measured quantities from vat con- 57------- tents and raw septage. TWAS solids concentrations were high because of the ease with which water was withdrawn from this mixture. As filtration progressed liquid was withdrawn leaving solids in the tank, increasing observed concentrations. Based upon yield, and filtrate quality it is concluded that raw septage, in small quantities,.can be combined with TWAS and satisfactorily dewatered. While the solids septage/ TWAS ratio was only 1.4%/98.6%, volumetric septage/TWAS ratio was 18.5%/81.5%. . Since this test was successfully accomplished using very weak septage it is suggested that results would also have been satisfactory using strong septage. 58------- SECTION 6 SYNTHESIS OF FIELD RESULTS CAKE YIELD The vacuum filter at Medfield is normally operated at about 55 kPa (8 psi) and at a rotational speed of 6.5 minutes per cycle. At 25% drum submergence this corresponds to a form time of 1.6 minutes which is the filter manufacturer's recom- mendation for the Medfield filter. Field Test 1 was conducted with thickened waste activated sludge, at 55 kPa (8 psi) and with the drum rotating once every 6.7 minutes. The cake yield averaged 12.1 kg/sq m-hr (2.5 Ib/sq ft-hr). A comparison of septage and TWAS cake yield for the various types 'of treatment and septage/TWAS mixtures was made for these normal operating conditions; i.e., 55 kPa (8 psi) and 6.5 min/cycle. • For each filter test, data for vacuum pressures above 41 kPa (6 psi) were statistically analyzed. An exponential least squares curve"was fitted through paired yield and cycle time data. The results of these statistical analyses are com- pared on Table 34 with Field Test 1. Table 34 lists computed cake yields corresponding to a cycle time of 6.5 minutes. Coefficients, r2, indicate the quality of the least squares fit. The following conclusions can be drawn from the computed yield values shown on Table 34. 1. Septage conditioned with either coagulant or acid could not be filtered unless combined with thickened waste activated sludge. Reduction in cake yields observed during the course of septage only runs was due to filter coil clogging with septage particles. 2. Sept^age treated with sulfuric acid, ferric chloride or aluminum sulfate when combined in equal weight proportion with TWAS vacuum filtered well on a coil spring medium. 3. Conditioned septage in combination with TWAS produced better yields than normally experienced with just TWAS. 59------- co p p: C EH X H ^1 CO ri IS EH "X, M cj ri EH CM W CO Q rt CO EH |2 K § E- P EH i-3 (3 2HEMIC P; o 5Z O CO H P3 *3< Pj 0 o Q W H >H H O . ^J* oo w (-I) CQ IS 4-> Q) •H U •r)CN !,[._[ I m 0) o u * M •D X! 0) T3 1 -P Q) rH 4-) jj fj^ (J) 14. Oi (0 -H g o >H tr o w u \ ,c 0) W CPi — ! T3 *T3 (0 -H 3 4J rH o\° rH O O CO EH CO tH O QJ tn QJ id PJ 3 EH CO .p rH C (0 QJ U g •H 4J E |