Experimental investigation of sludge dewatering for single- and double-drainage conditions with a vacuum negative pressure load at the bottom

The moisture content of municipal sludge is relatively high, which increases the cost of sludge transportation and treatment. To reduce the volume of the sludge, sludge dewatering is needed. This paper proposes the theory of sludge dewatering and facilitates efficient and economical technology of sludge dewatering. Sludge dewatering tests were carried out by using homemade rapid sludge dewatering devices. There were two groups of tests with single- and double-drainage conditions, and all test runs were loaded with a negative vacuum pressure at the bottom. During the experiments, the vacuum degree and the pore water pressure in the sludge were monitored in real time. After the experiments, the data were compared and analyzed. At the initial stage, the sludge dewatering extent and the sludge dewatering velocity for double-drainage conditions were much higher than those for single-drainage conditions. The vacuum occurring for single-drainage conditions lagged behind that for double-drainage conditions in the sludge. The value of vacuum degree for single-drainage conditions was lower than that for double-drainage conditions, and the vacuum attenuation for single-drainage conditions was considerable. The excess pore water pressure for double-drainage conditions dissipated faster than that for single-drainage conditions in the sludge. The pore water pressure for single-drainage conditions at the top and middle of the sludge layer first increased and then decreased in the early loading stage, resembling the Mandel effect. Overall, with a vacuum negative pressure load at the bottom, the sludge dewatering efficiency for double-drainage conditions was much higher than that for single-drainage conditions. This study provides an experimental and theoretical basis for engineering applications in the sludge treatment industry.