Footprints in the Greenhouse – Taking Another Look at Dewatering and Thickening Economics
Brenton M.
Ashbrook Simon Hartley Ltd
(free)
Recent headlines have shown that the days of cheap energy have come to a close, reducing energy consumption has
become the prime goal for the Water utilities, whilst the increased use of ferric dosing and lime addition to sludges has made
the reduction of chemical additions elsewhere enormously attractive to budget holders.
Ultimately of more importance to us humans is the effect of our activities today on our future, and our children’s future. Using
energy and resources creates greenhouse gases, these add to the protective layer that regulates the earth’s temperature
potentially causing an increase and associated climate change. The amount of these gases produced by a process and its
effect on the environment is called the Carbon Footprint, and is measured in units of Carbon Dioxide.
This paper will focus on estimating the impact on the environment of two key technologies for dewatering and thickening, with
regard to their carbon footprint, whilst examining the buying decision. This involves a discussion of the various human factors
that ultimately influence how “green” the solution will be.
The analysis will attempt to encompass the main aspects of operation, maintenance, energy and chemicals input and effect
of the final product on our environment. It should make us all look a little deeper into our activities.
KEY WORDS
Sludge, Dewatering, Carbon, CO2, Belt Filter Press, Centrifuge, Climate Change, Buy Decision, Global Warming.
