ACID TREATMENT FOR STABILIZATION OF SEWAG E-SLUDGE

Chemical stabilization of sewage sludge is one of the most researched alternative to conventional biological digestion. The present research was therefore dedicated to studying a new acid treatment process for residual sludge from wastewater treatment, both industrial and municip al. This study demonstrated that sludge acidification (pH = 2.0-2.5) w ith sulfuric acid brings about a very rapid hydrolysis and mineralizat ion of organic matter of the biomass that causes a significant reducti on in sludge solids. This simple and efficient process of acidificatio n for a partial digestion of different types of municipal (primary, se condary, and mixed) and industrial (pulp and paper) sludges could be i ntegrated into the actual chain of treatment and stabilization of sewa ge sludges.