摘要 |
An apparatus for thickening sludge is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes an endless band of mesh material which, in one section of the apparatus, has a generally horizontal run extending between spaced guides. The horizontal run is supported between the guides on a structure which permits liquid to drain freely through the band. A structure is provided for introducing sludge to be treated into the apparatus, together with means for dosing the sludge to be treated with a cationic polyelectrolyte. A tank for receiving and holding the dosed sludge for a sufficient period of time to allow development of a flock structure is also provided. A supply means is also provided for supplying sludge from the tank to the upper surface of the band of mesh material at the start of the horizontal run in such a manner that the floc structure is retained. The supply means comprises a weir constituting the outlet of the tank and a chute of shallow gradient extending from the weir to the start of the horizontal run whereby to deposit the sludge on the band without substantial forward velocity. A drive means is also provided for driving the band so that the sludge is conveyed through the run without destroying the floc structure of the sludge and a scraper is provided for removing thickened sludge from the surface of the band after the horizontal run. |