Proceedings

With an installed throughput capacity of 121,000 tDS/a, Davyhulme’s sludge processing and recovery centre is capable of treating sludge arising from 60% of the North West’s 7 million population. The facility was designed to increase United Utilities’ (UU’s) renewable energy generation significantly whilst maximising the use of existing assets and ensuring the greatest flexibility in sludge re-use throughout the region.

Another key consideration was to increase the potential for new land recycling outlets by producing an enhanced sludge product. The facility is now fully operational, accepting sludge from all seven of UU’s raw sludge cake feeder sites.

This paper describes key commissioning activities, operational experiences and challenges faced whilst discussing theoretical design figures versus actual targets achieved.