Index >> Waste Water Microbiology >> Disposal by Incineration

Disposal by Incineration - Where transport cost for sludge disposal is high, for example if the disposal site is far away from the treatment plant, incineration is the best alternative. Incineration is also particularly useful in cases in which the sludge contains toxic chemicals making their disposal environmentally unacceptable through other routes.

Rotary multiple hearth type incinerators are widely used for sludge incineration. Fluidized bed furnaces are also becoming popular. Dewatered sludge with about 30% solid content has sufficient calorific value to maintain self-sustaining combustion. However, most incinerators require fuel oil for efficient combustion. After incineration the resulting inert ash is easily disposed. Still the sludge disposal by incineration poses a potential environmental problem.