Polymers are essential for converting waste sludge from a liquid to a more manageable solid state. However, the costs of using polymers can be significant, affecting the overall budget and operational efficiency of wastewater treatment plants. At Centrisys/CNP, we understand these challenges and offer innovative solutions to optimize your operations and reduce polymer use.
Understand the crucial role polymers play in wastewater management and discover how the Centrisys/CNP THK Series Sludge Thickener, combined with our sludge sample analysis services, can help you achieve significant savings on polymer costs. And don't forget to check out our polymer savings calculator!
Polymers play a crucial role in wastewater treatment. They are used as a chemical reagent to bind small solid particles into larger ones, which makes the separation of solids and free water more efficient.
These chemicals are vital in the coagulation and flocculation stages of wastewater treatment:
This two-step process of coagulation and flocculation significantly improves solid-liquid separation and results in a more concentrated sludge that’s easier to handle, process, and dispose of in the dewatering stage of the wastewater treatment process.
Two primary types of polymers are used in wastewater treatment: anionic and cationic.
Polymers can have varying charges and structures (branched, linear, cross-linked) and are available in various forms, including dry powder and liquid emulsions. There are hundreds of different types of polymers and polymer manufacturers to choose from. The choice of polymer type and form depends on the specific characteristics of the wastewater and the desired treatment outcomes.
Polymers are essential for efficient liquid-solid separation, although water treatment plants are often looking for ways to reduce polymer use because it accounts for the majority of centrifuge operational costs.
Beyond the cost of the polymer itself, plants must also consider the expenses related to shipping, storage, and handling. Additionally, polymers are petroleum products, and their cost often fluctuates year to year, making it challenging to predict and manage overall polymer costs.
Fortunately, adding a sludge thickening system to your process can significantly help mitigate overall polymer use and cost. Sludge thickening reduces the biosolid’s water content, resulting in a more concentrated sludge that is easier to handle in the dewatering stage.
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The Centrisys/CNP THK Series Sludge Thickener is a centrifuge explicitly designed for sludge thickening. The system uses high rotational speeds and precise patented engineering to create optimal conditions for solid-liquid separation, resulting in a good capture rate and precise control of cake solids.
Depending on the desired level of performance, the THK sludge thickener can operate without polymer. If a polymer is used in the process, the THK features multiple injection points in the feed pipe and internally within the centrifuge. This targeted application ensures polymer is used efficiently and directly where needed most, enhancing flocculation and improving the overall separation process.
At Centrisys/CNP, we understand wastewater treatment is an art, not a science. A system or process that works for one plant’s operation may not work for yours, which is why our expert team will take your sludge sample in our process lab and analyze it to give you an idea of its thickening performance (cake total solids, capture rate) with polymer and without polymer.
Using the sample analysis as a guide, the process engineering team then provides an on-site pilot test using a THK sludge thickener, ensuring accurate scaling at your facility. The result is a customized THK installation and polymer solution that maximizes efficiency while minimizing polymer use and overall costs.
Ready to reduce your polymer costs? Contact Centrisys/CNP today for a customized analysis, or click on the button below to input your plant’s data and see how much polymer you can save using the Centrisys/CNP THK sludge thickener.