Abstract:
Sonication is a well-known sludge pretreatment technique with the advantages of
simple operation and high efficiency. However, it is an energy-intensive process.
Hence, it is very important to predetermine its sludge disintegration efficiency at
varying pretreatment conditions in order to minimize the ultrasonic energy consumption.
In this study, it was found that the ultrasonic sludge disintegration
occurred in two stages: rapid and subsequent slow disintegration stages. For this
reason, it was aimed to develop a simple and accurate mathematical model to
describe the two-stage sludge disintegration as a function of pretreatment conditions.
Sludge concentration and ultrasonic density along with sonication period
were involved in this model as independent variables. It was determined that the
mathematical model can predict accurately the degree of sludge disintegration.
Thus, the proposed model was seen to be very useful for evaluating the disintegration
efficiency and/or for process design using the operating parameters under
different conditions.