Precision lime stabilization system and method for treatment of sewage sludge
First Claim
1. A precision lime stabilization system for treatment of sewage sludge therein, comprising:
- (a) means for increasing the solids concentration of the sludge;
(b) means for transferring the concentrated sludge to a sludge/lime mixer;
(c) means for supplying lime from a lime supply or from a means for feeding lime under controlled supplying conditions;
(d) means for feeding lime from the means for supplying lime to the sludge/lime mixer under any one of the following sequence conditions;
(i) after increasing the solids concentration of the sludge; and
(ii) prior to increasing the solids concentration of the sludge;
(e) means for mixing the lime and sludge in the sludge/lime mixer to create a sludge/lime mix and to raise the pH of the sludge/lime mix to a range of about 10 to about 12.5;
(f) means for heating the sludge/lime mix to drive off volatiles from the mix;
(g) with the sludge/lime mixer being substantially enclosed;
(h) means providing a forced air draft to the sludge/lime mixer to prevent steam resulting from the means for heating the sludge/lime mix from backing up to the lime supply;
(i) means for transferring the sludge/lime mix from the sludge/lime mixer to a discharge station via a transfer apparatus;
(j) means for capturing air containing any of dust, odors, steam, ammonia and any combinations of any of them from the discharge station that result from the sludge treatment and for cleaning the air and discharging the cleaned air to atmosphere.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A lime stabilization system for treatment of sewage sludge, and method is provided in which dewatered sludge and lime are provided to a mixer. Lime and sludge are mixed to raise the pH during which volatiles are driven off with or without supplemental heat. A forced air draft prevents steam from backing up into the lime supply. The sludge goes to a discharge station via a transfer apparatus, and air containing any dust, odors, steam or ammonia is cleaned via a scrubber. The system is computer-controlled via gravimetric load cells and/or volumetric means. The system includes computer controlled means for dissolving scale resulting from exposure of surfaces to lime, using acid, water or combinations thereof.
47 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A precision lime stabilization system for treatment of sewage sludge therein, comprising:
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(a) means for increasing the solids concentration of the sludge; (b) means for transferring the concentrated sludge to a sludge/lime mixer; (c) means for supplying lime from a lime supply or from a means for feeding lime under controlled supplying conditions; (d) means for feeding lime from the means for supplying lime to the sludge/lime mixer under any one of the following sequence conditions; (i) after increasing the solids concentration of the sludge; and (ii) prior to increasing the solids concentration of the sludge; (e) means for mixing the lime and sludge in the sludge/lime mixer to create a sludge/lime mix and to raise the pH of the sludge/lime mix to a range of about 10 to about 12.5; (f) means for heating the sludge/lime mix to drive off volatiles from the mix; (g) with the sludge/lime mixer being substantially enclosed; (h) means providing a forced air draft to the sludge/lime mixer to prevent steam resulting from the means for heating the sludge/lime mix from backing up to the lime supply; (i) means for transferring the sludge/lime mix from the sludge/lime mixer to a discharge station via a transfer apparatus; (j) means for capturing air containing any of dust, odors, steam, ammonia and any combinations of any of them from the discharge station that result from the sludge treatment and for cleaning the air and discharging the cleaned air to atmosphere. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of precision lime stabilization system for treatment of sewage sludge therein, comprising:
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(a) increasing the solids concentration of the sludge; (b) transferring the concentrated sludge to a sludge/lime mixer; (c) supplying lime from a lime supply or from a means for feeding lime under controlled supplying conditions; (d) feeding lime from the means for supplying lime to the sludge/lime mixer under any one of the following sequence conditions; (i) after increasing the solids concentration of the sludge; and (ii) prior to increasing the solids concentration of the sludge; (e) mixing the lime and sludge in the sludge/lime mixer to create a sludge/lime mix and to raise the pH of the sludge/lime mix to a range of about 10 to about 12.5; (f) heating the sludge/lime mix to drive off volatiles from the mix; (g) keeping the sludge/lime mix in the sludge/lime mixer substantially enclosed; (h) providing a forced air draft to the sludge/lime mixer to prevent steam resulting from heating the sludge/lime mix from backing up to the lime supply; (i) transferring the sludge/lime mix from the sludge/lime mixer to a discharge station via either a transfer apparatus or a pasteurization chamber; (j) capturing air containing any of dust, odors, steam, ammonia and any combinations of any of them from the discharge station that result from the sludge treatment and for cleaning the air and discharging the cleaned air to atmosphere.
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Specification