Thermal Hydrolysis Process

    PONDUS: A Simple Solution for Sludge Hydrolysis

    PONDUS Sludge Hydrolysis Guide button to download

    Keep the Thermal Hydrolysis Process Simple, Affordable, Safe for All Sized Plants

    As a Cost-Effective Choice, PONDUS™ Requires Little Day-To-Day Plant Supervision

    PONDUS, a thermal/alkaline hydrolysis process, is designed for solids from 4% to 12% and uses a combination of caustic soda (NaOH) and low grade heated water (140 °F to 160 °F) to break down the cell walls.

    The passing of the Inflation Reduction Act in late 2022 is a great incentive for facilities to install a biogas process like PONDUS and take advantage of the new Investment Tax Credit (ITC).

    Awards Won:

    • 2019 Frost & Sullivan Product Leadership Award for the North American Sludge Treatment
    • 2018 Utility of the Future Today Recognition Program for the Kenosha WWTP Optimization Project
    • 2017 W&WD Top Project for the Kenosha WWTP Optimization Project
    • 2017 ACEC Grand Award Winner for the Kenosha WWTP Optimization Project

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    PONDUS Step-By-Step

    [1] Thickened WAS is mixed with a small dose of [2] caustic soda (1.75 l/m3).
    [3] Sludge, up to 7% total solids (TS), is heated in a loop through a high-efficiency heat exchanger. Sludge above 7% TS or high viscosity sludge can use saturated steam as a heat source.
    [4] Sludge is fed into PONDUS and goes through hydrolysis. The sludge is heated with 140 °F to 160 °F water from a combined heat and power (CHP) unit or boiler. Retention time differs due to varying sludge properties. The reactor operates under atmospheric pressure and connects to the atmosphere or bio-filter. After hydrolysis, sludge leaves the reactor close to a neutral pH level and the remaining thermal energy can be used in the anaerobic digester [7].
    [5] Thickened primary sludge and hydrolyzed sludge is mixed to achieve an ideal mesophilic temperature of the combined sludge and then pumped into the digester [7]. If needed, additional heat can be brought into the digester through a [6] heat exchanger.

    PONDUS is Simple to Operate

    No heat exchangers needed to cool sludge after hydrolysis to maintain an optimum digester temperature

    No pressure vessel required

    • Safer operation
    • Certified steam operators or boiler makers for maintenance are not necessary
    • Reduces operating and energy costs

    Saturated steam option for sludge above 7% total solids (TS) or with high viscosity

    Compact, small footprint solution for all sized plants

    • Hydrolysis reactor operating under atmospheric pressure
    • High-efficiency hot water heat exchanger
    • Chemical dosing station
    • Progressive cavity pumps
    • Instrumentation and controls

    Typical maintenance includes

    • Pump maintenance
    • Heat exchanger cleaning

    PONDUS is a Cost-Effective Choice

    • Simple operation requires little day-to-day plant supervision
    • Fully automatic process runs 24/7 year-round
    • 99% uptime; minimal estimated downtime for maintenance and repairs
    • Designed using standard industrial control system equipment
    • Compact; small footprint solution for all sized plants

    THE BENEFITS

    PONDUS Simple and Effective without a Pressure Vessel

    Icon-CNP-Water-Drop
    Reduce Viscosity of Thickened WAS up to 80%
    Icon-CNP-Digester
    Reduce Anaerobic Digestion Volume up to 50%
    Icon-CNP-Disposal
    Reduce Biosolids Disposal Costs up to 30%
    Icon-CNP-Biogas
    Increase Biogas Production up to 35%
    Icon-CNP-Polymer
    Reduce Polymer Consumption at Dewatering up to 20%
    Icon-CNP-Digester-Foam
    Reduce Digester Foaming
     
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    Available Literature

    Process

    PONDUS

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    Company

    Advanced Biosolids Treatment

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    Company

    Centrisys/CNP Company Backgrounder

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    Case Study

    Kenosha Optimization

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    Reprint

    Best Practices Award

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    Reprint

    Recovering the Resources

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    Reprint

    Breaking New Ground

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    Reprint

    Energy Conservation

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    Reprint

    Biosolids Boss

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