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Sludge handling and Management

Sludge accumulates in various waste management ponds at piggeries and cattle feedlots. Eventually, this sludge needs to be removed and handled. Many existing piggery ponds are reaching the point where sludge removal is becoming a pressing issue. Another issue has arisen recently with the use of covered treatment ponds to generate biogas. Sludge removal from covered ponds presents special difficulties. This report reviews the physical and rheological properties of pond sludge and the methods used to pump, remove, dewater and manage the wet sludge. The most important parameter that influences the ability to pump sludge is the total solids content. Sludge samples were collected at several Australian piggeries and feedlots. These samples were analysed for their physical properties.

Project date

24 Sep 2012-21 May 2014
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Principal investigator

Michael O'Keefe

Research organisation

FSA Consulting

Project funded by

Multiple industries
Alternative protein Other rural industries Pork

Australian Pork (APL)

Australian Pork Limited is an Australian Research and Development Corporation. Our purpose is to enable a thriving pork industry. Our …
  • Location

    Australia

  • Organisation type

    Research funding body

Focus areas

Industries

Sustainabilities

Technology areas

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The current project was performed to examine the external validity and intra- and inter-observer reliability of three modified animal-based welfare …
  • Funded by

    Australian Pork (APL)

  • Project date

    25 Nov 2013 - 2 Dec 2014

  • Research organisation

    The University of Melbourne

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