TITLE:
Sludge Filtration Resistance Model Based on Electrical Resistance Analogy
AUTHORS:
L. W. Arimieari, J. O. Ademiluyi
KEYWORDS:
Sludge Dewatering, Resistance, Electrical Analogy
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Environmental Protection,
Vol.9 No.1,
January
12,
2018
ABSTRACT: In this study, a model for sludge filtration resistance (SFR) was developed using
electrical resistance analogy by relating the rate at which water flows to the
current of charge to determine Sludge Filtration Resistance using a typical
single Electrical Resistance from a Direct Current Circuit. Synthetic sludge
was successfully formulated for experimental purposes. The advantage of using
synthetic sludge was that they permitted experiments to be performed on
stable samples with known physical and chemical properties not subject to
degradation by microbial activity. The result from the present study indicates
the effect of conditioner on synthetic sludge filtration at variable pressure for
sludge filtration resistance (SFR) and the trends in the results indicated that
SFR reduces with increase in the concentration of dissolved salt (CaCl2). The
linearity observed between plot of volume of filtrate versus time of filtration
by correlation coefficient of R2 = 0.9292 (Figure 1) for 10 g of CaCl2 and R2 =
0.9294 (Figure 2) for 18 g of CaCl2. It is evident from the calculated values
that they are very strong and have testified that the effect of conditioner on
synthetic sludge filtration at variable pressure for sludge filtration resistance
(SFR) using electrical resistance analogy is very satisfactory. When compared
the existing data from SFR with other measure of filterability calculated using
Carman’s equation to validate the model, it was observed that specific resistance
decreases as the concentration of CaCl2 (dissolved salt) increases which
agrees with SFR.