Theories of cake filtration and consolidation and implications to sludge dewatering

This work presents a mini-review of the various theories in previous litera ture while considering the transport processes in filter cakes during filtr ation and consolidation. The development of the conventional two-resistance theory (referred to herein as conventional theory) is initially discussed based on different types of power-law constitutive equations. Multi-phase t heory is then described, along with the criticisms raised by Willis el al. over the past two decades. Also discussed herein is the validity of some fr equently adopted assumptions in filtration studies. Implications of the fil tration/consolidation theory to sludge dewatering are finally made. (C) 199 9 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.