An integrated approach to optimize the conditioning chemicals for enhanced sludge conditioning in a pilot-scale sludge dewatering process.

An integrated approach incorporating response surface methodology (RSM), grey relational analysis, and fuzzy logic analysis was developed to quantitatively evaluate the conditioning chemicals in sludge dewatering process. The polyacrylamide (PAM), ferric chloride (FeCl(3)) and calcium-based mineral powders were combined to be used as the sludge conditioners in a pilot-scale sludge dewatering process. The performance of conditioners at varied dosages was comprehensively evaluated by taking into consideration the sludge dewatering efficiency and chemical cost of conditioner. In the evaluation procedure, RSM was employed to design the experiment and to optimize the dosage of each conditioner. The grey-fuzzy logic was established to quantify the conditioning performance on the basis of grey relational coefficient generation, membership function construction, and fuzzy rule description. Based on the evaluation results, the optimal chemical composition for conditioning was determined as PAM at 4.62 g/kg DS, FeCl(3) at 55.4 g/kg DS, and mineral powders at 30.0 g/kg DS.