Abstract
Since polyelectrolytes have been used as conditioners, conventionally only a single polyelectrolyte has been added for sludge conditioning. However, the amount of polyelectrolyte needed for optimal conditioning of sludge is very critical. Overdosing reduces the sludge dewaterbility. In this experimental study, sludge conditioning with single or dual polyelectrolyte was conducted to avoid problems associated with overdosing. Single polyelectrolyte conditioning was conducted by one of cationic, nonionic, and anionic polyelectrolytes. The dual polyelectrolyte conditioning was performed by adding one polyelectrolyte and another one in sequence. The dewaterbility of sludges were measured by SRF(specific resistance to filtration), TTF(time to filter), CST(capillary suction time) respectively. Additionally, parameters such as turbidity, zeta potential, viscosity of conditioned sludges or supematant were measured to evaluate the changed characteristics of sludge by addition of polyelectrolytes. From the experiment results, it was concluded that single polyelectrolyte conditioning had a high probability of overdosing, whereas dual polyelectrolyte conditioning resulted in a better dewaterbility and less chance of overdosing. But, it was also found that dosing sequence in dual conditioning was very important according to the characteristics of sludge. Parameters such as viscosity, turbidity, zeta potential were found to be useful as a means of evaluating sludge dewaterbility.