SLUDGE TREATMENT SYSTEM

摘要

A method of converting industrial, domestic or other sludge (12), into a pelletized or granular fertilizer, as well as a sludge converter (10) for practicing the method. The sludge is dewatered to form sludge cake solids which are dried in a dryer (70), and then sorted with a sorter (80) into a sorted product comprising oversized, undersized and standard sized product. A portion of the sorted product is recycled for mixing and sizing in a mixer (60) with the dewatered sludge cake solids. To control dust and odors, cyclones (130) and a condenser (140) remove a substantial portion of the gaseous particulate matter and condensable gases from the converter and any remaining heat energy to the dryer. The heat source exhaust gas by-products are filtered in a bag house (190) using a conditioner additive, such as lime or sodium bicarbonate (192), which may be reclaimed and supplied to the standard sized product to serve as a pelletizing binder, to enhance the fertilizer nutrient vale, or to enhance the fertilizer shelf life.