Author(s)

Y.Q. Zhao, E.N. Papavasilopoulos, D.H. Bache & P.A. Mackinnon

Abstract

Effects of polymer conditioning on alum sludge characteristics: a review Y.Q. Zhao*, E.N. PapavasilopouW, D.H. Bache* & P.A. Mackinnon* ' School of Civil Engineering, Queen's University Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK * 8A Loukianou St, Athens 106 75, Greece * Department of Civil Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK Abstract This paper is concerned principally with summarizing recent information on the effects of polymer conditioning on alum sludge characteristics. Alum sludge refers to the by-product created during the treatment of raw waters using aluminium sulphate as the coagulant. In spite of the limited published data, evidence has shown that polymer dosing can lead to a shift towards: large size aggregates; higher density and more compact floes; more compressible sludge and an obvious change of sludge rheology properties as well as the bound water content. Certain discrepancies in the effects of polymer on alum sludge characteristics indicate the compl

Keywords