Sludge Concentration (Solids concentration in sludge)

An essential parameter to monitor the dewatering process

Measuring the sludge concentration at the inlet of the dewatering unit allows pro-active adaptation of the dewatering process. Monitoring variations in ingoing sludge, is vital to determine the most optimal process: the parameters of the dewatering unit, and the amount of polymers to add.

An accurate reliable measurement that swiftly follows the concentration trend allows the control system logic to adapt the sludge flow-rate, dewatering-parameters and PE-concentration to be added.

Key features

• A reliable drift-resistant measurement of sludge concentration

• Fouling resistance, also in challenging environments

• No automated mechanical cleaning necessary

• Easy inline mounting, with the (optional) hot-tap mounting support. Cost independent of pipe-size.

An Olpas sensor where optical turbidity sensors fail

Current state-of-the-art optical sensors fail to measure the concentration accurately in changing conditions, due to their dependence on the optical parameters of the sludge. Furthermore, fouling is present after a few days (sometimes even hours!) of operation which cannot be fully reversed by the fault-prone mechanical wipers or pressured air cleaning.

An Olpas sensor as an economic alternative to microwave sensors

Sensors using microwave measurement technology are often used as an alternative for measurement in circumstances where optical parameters fail. Sticky sludge or frequently changing optical parameters are harmful for a reliable optical measurement. Thats where microwave based sensors come around.

These sensors however are expensive to buy, and expensive to install, with a cost that depends on the specifics of the installation (size of pipe).

Microwave sensors also need in-situ calibration per sludge type, making the technology not suitable for measurements in installations with varying sludge sources.  

Comparison of Olpas Slude Concentration sensor to traditional measurements