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.