GB2246122A - Digestion of sewage sludge - Google Patents
Digestion of sewage sludge Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2246122A GB2246122A GB9012630A GB9012630A GB2246122A GB 2246122 A GB2246122 A GB 2246122A GB 9012630 A GB9012630 A GB 9012630A GB 9012630 A GB9012630 A GB 9012630A GB 2246122 A GB2246122 A GB 2246122A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- sludge
- sewage
- thermophillic
- action
- heat pump
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B27/00—Machines, plants or systems, using particular sources of energy
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
- C02F1/02—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by heating
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F3/00—Biological treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
- C02F3/02—Aerobic processes
- C02F3/06—Aerobic processes using submerged filters
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F3/00—Biological treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
- C02F3/28—Anaerobic digestion processes
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F3/00—Biological treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
- C02F3/30—Aerobic and anaerobic processes
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
- C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
- C12M21/00—Bioreactors or fermenters specially adapted for specific uses
- C12M21/04—Bioreactors or fermenters specially adapted for specific uses for producing gas, e.g. biogas
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
- C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
- C12M41/00—Means for regulation, monitoring, measurement or control, e.g. flow regulation
- C12M41/12—Means for regulation, monitoring, measurement or control, e.g. flow regulation of temperature
- C12M41/18—Heat exchange systems, e.g. heat jackets or outer envelopes
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02W—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT
- Y02W10/00—Technologies for wastewater treatment
- Y02W10/10—Biological treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02W—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT
- Y02W10/00—Technologies for wastewater treatment
- Y02W10/30—Wastewater or sewage treatment systems using renewable energies
- Y02W10/37—Wastewater or sewage treatment systems using renewable energies using solar energy
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Microbiology (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
- Zoology (AREA)
- Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
- Bioinformatics & Cheminformatics (AREA)
- Genetics & Genomics (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
- Molecular Biology (AREA)
- Biomedical Technology (AREA)
- Sustainable Development (AREA)
- Biotechnology (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Biochemistry (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
- Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
- General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Treatment Of Sludge (AREA)
Abstract
Collected sewage passes through a preliminary treatment stage provided by an in-line pumping station 4, a treatment works pumping station 5, a screening unit 6 and a grit removal unit 7. The sewage then passes through a primary treatment stage provided by a settlement tank 10, as well as a secondary treatment stage, provided by a biological filtration unit 11 and a humus tank unit 13. Sludge from the primary and secondary treatment stages is collected by a digester 27, where the collected sludge is raised in temperature by heat input provided by a heat pump unit 40, using a duct 44. The heat, which is obtained from a warmer source, namely a solar heat-harvesting unit 42, causes thermophillic action to take place within the body of sludge 36, which action disinfects the sludge. Methane gas produced by the thermophillic action is used to drive the heat pump unit 40, by way of duct 43 and gas engine 41. <IMAGE>
Description
IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO
TREATMENT OF SEWAGE
This invention relates to the treatment of sewage.
Sewage contains pathogenic bacteria and viruses that can be harmful to human health. To overcome this public health hazard, the sewage is usually treated in some way.
At inland localities in the United Kingdom, sewage commonly receives preliminary, primary, secondary and sometimes tertiary treatments to disinfect sewage sludge and effluent prior to discharge.
On the other hand, at seaside localities, effluent is usually discharged directly into the sea by way of an outfall pipeline after only preliminary treatment (for example grinding and sieving) with no disinfection.
Treatment without disinfection prior to discharge will offend
European Community rules being introduced.
The present invention seeks to provide a simple, inexpensive and efficient method of disinfecting sewage prior to discharge and which can be applied to existing sewage treatment plants, for example, during refurbishment.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a sewage treatment plant is provided with means for converting sewage to sludge and heat pump means for raising the temperature of the sludge whereby thermophillic action takes place, the heat pump means being powered, at least in part, by gas generated as a result of the thermophillic action.
The invention also comprises a sewage sludge digester provided with heat pump means for raising the temperature of the sludge whereby thermophillic action takes place, the heat pump means being powered, at least in part, by gas generated as a result of the thermophillic action.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of treating sewage sludge comprises raising its temperature by introducing heat from a heat pump, whereby thermophillic action takes place, the heat pump means being powered, at least in part, by gas generated as a result of the thermophillic action.
As used herein, the term thermophillic action includes accelerated thermophillic action, as some thermophillic action may already be taking place.
The various aspects of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying semi-diagrammatic drawing.
With reference to the drawing, a sewage treatment plant 1 is used to treat sewage collected from domestic 2 and industrial 3 sources.
The collected sewage passes through a preliminary treatment stage provided by an in-line pumping station 4, a treatment works pumping station 5, and screening unit 6 and a grit removal unit 7.
The sewage then passes through a primary treatment stage, provided by a settlement tank 10, as well as a secondary treatment stage, provided by a biological filtration unit 11 and a humus tank unit 12.
A tertiary treatment stage is provided by a micro-strainer unit 20 which discharges treated liquid to a river 21, by way of an outfall 22.
Sewage sludge from the primary and secondary treatment stages is collected by ducts 25, 26 and discharged to a digester 27 forming part of an accelerated thermophillic digestion stage 28.
The digester 27 comprises a closed vessel 30 having an inlet 31 connected to the ducts 25, 26 and an outlet 32 discharging to a secondary digester 33. A free space 35 is formed above sludge 36 contained in the digester vessel 30. The digestion stage 28 also comprises a heat pump means in the form of a reverse-operating heat pump unit 40. The unit 40, which is used to transfer heat from a warmer region to a cooler region, is driven by a gas engine 41. The warmer region is provided by a solar heat exchange unit 42. The cooler region comprises the body of sewage 36 contained in the vessel 30. The unit 42 may be regarded as a heat-harvesting unit.
The gas engine 41 is powered by methane gas generated as a result of thermophillic action taking place in the digester vessel 30. The gas is collected from the free space 35 by a duct 43. Additional gas fuel, if required, may be supplied to the engine 41 from a source (not shown) connected to the duct 43.
A duct 44 connects the heat pump unit 40 with the interior of the digester vessel 30.
In operation, the sewage converted to sludge by the primary and secondary treatment stages is collected by the digester 27. The collected sludge is raised in temperature (55 C to 60 C) by heat input provided by the heat pump unit 40, using the duct 44.
The heat, which is obtained from a warmer source, namely the heatharvesting unit 42, causes thermophillic action to take place within the body of sludge 36. As some thermophillic action may already be taking place, by self-generation of heat, the effect of the heat pump unit 40 accelerates the action to a substantial degree.
The treated sewage sludge leaves the vessel 30 to pass through the secondary digester 33, which, In this example, Is similar in form to the digester 27, and is then discharged to a belt press unit 50, where it is reduced to cake form. The sludge is then transported away for land disposal.
The thermophillic action disinfects the sewage sludge by destroying infectious germs.
Use of at least part of the methane gas produced by the action, in order to drive the heat pump unit 40, results in a compact treatment plant, certainly a far smaller plant than would be required for the slow, natural heating of the sludge.
The invention also results in an efficient treatment plant as the pathogens contribute to their own demise by providing fuel for the heat pump unit 40.
A further advantage results from use of the invention. Burning methane gas in the heat pump engine 41 converts this very damaging ~greenhouse gas to far less damaging carbon dioxide.
Instead of, or in addition to, the heat-harvesting unit 42, heat could be extracted from metal artefacts on the treatment site, for example, walkways, tank walls, etc.
The plant l. may be modified according to requirements. For example, one or both of the secondary treatment units 11 and 12 may be dispensed with, as may the secondary digester 33.
Claims (13)
1. A sewage treatment plant provided with means for converting sewage to sludge and heat pump means for raising the temperature of the sludge whereby thermophillic action takes place, the heat pump means being powered, at least in part, by gas generated as a result of the thermophillic action.
2. A treatment plant as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for converting sewage to sludge comprises primary and secondary sewage treatment stage means.
3. A treatment. plant as claimed in claim 2,. wherein the primary stage means comprise settlement means.
4. A treatment plant as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the secondary stage means comprise biological filtration means and humus collection means.
5. A treatment plant as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, provided with means for reducing the treated sewage sludge to solid form.
6. A treatment plant as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, provided with tertiary treatment stage means, comprising strainer means.
7. A method of treating sewage sludge comprising raising its temperature by introducing heat from a heat pump, whereby thermophillic action takes place, the heat pump means being powered, at least in part, by gas generated as a result of the thermophillic action.
8. The method claimed in claim 7, including the step of reducing the treated sewage sludge to solid form.
9. Sewage sludge treated by the method of claim 8 or 9.
10. A sewage sludge digester provided with heat pump means for raising the temperature of the sludge whereby thermophillic action takes place, the heat pump means being powered, at least in part, by gas generated as a result of the thermophillic action.
11. A sewage treatment plant, substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawing.
12. A method of treating sewage sludge, substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawing.
13. Sewage sludge treated by the method claimed in claim 12.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9012630A GB2246122A (en) | 1990-06-06 | 1990-06-06 | Digestion of sewage sludge |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9012630A GB2246122A (en) | 1990-06-06 | 1990-06-06 | Digestion of sewage sludge |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9012630D0 GB9012630D0 (en) | 1990-07-25 |
| GB2246122A true GB2246122A (en) | 1992-01-22 |
Family
ID=10677166
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9012630A Withdrawn GB2246122A (en) | 1990-06-06 | 1990-06-06 | Digestion of sewage sludge |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2246122A (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2687994A1 (en) * | 1992-02-28 | 1993-09-03 | Iwao Ueda | WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY WITH ACTIVE SLUDGE TREATMENT SLIDES. |
| WO2004035491A1 (en) * | 2002-10-18 | 2004-04-29 | Kemijski Institut | Procedure and device for thermophilic temperature range stabilization and mineralization of sludge from wastewater treatment plants |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN110550826A (en) * | 2019-09-26 | 2019-12-10 | 湖南沃工环境科技有限公司 | Domestic sewage treatment recycles device |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DD153811A1 (en) * | 1980-06-09 | 1982-02-03 | Schmidt Reinhardt | PROCESS FOR SELF-USE IN BIOLOGICAL PLANT EQUIPMENT |
| JPS5799400A (en) * | 1980-12-15 | 1982-06-21 | Nippon Kokan Kk <Nkk> | Heating method for sludge-concentrating vessel and sludge-digesting vessel |
| DD160341A1 (en) * | 1981-01-15 | 1983-06-01 | Ivan Boschnakow | PROCESS FOR SELF-USE IN BIOLOGICAL PLANT EQUIPMENT |
-
1990
- 1990-06-06 GB GB9012630A patent/GB2246122A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DD153811A1 (en) * | 1980-06-09 | 1982-02-03 | Schmidt Reinhardt | PROCESS FOR SELF-USE IN BIOLOGICAL PLANT EQUIPMENT |
| JPS5799400A (en) * | 1980-12-15 | 1982-06-21 | Nippon Kokan Kk <Nkk> | Heating method for sludge-concentrating vessel and sludge-digesting vessel |
| DD160341A1 (en) * | 1981-01-15 | 1983-06-01 | Ivan Boschnakow | PROCESS FOR SELF-USE IN BIOLOGICAL PLANT EQUIPMENT |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2687994A1 (en) * | 1992-02-28 | 1993-09-03 | Iwao Ueda | WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY WITH ACTIVE SLUDGE TREATMENT SLIDES. |
| WO2004035491A1 (en) * | 2002-10-18 | 2004-04-29 | Kemijski Institut | Procedure and device for thermophilic temperature range stabilization and mineralization of sludge from wastewater treatment plants |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB9012630D0 (en) | 1990-07-25 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |