Effective wastewater treatment relies on three essential pillars:
Unlike municipal drinking water treatment, wastewater processing demands more intensive chemical use at higher volumes - making safe, compliant chemical storage absolutely critical.
The wastewater treatment cycle encompasses five fundamental stages: solid particle removal, neutralization, odor control, disinfection, and sludge treatment, and removal. This guide focuses on the crucial final stage: sludge removal and the specialized chemicals that make it possible.
Wastewater sludge is composed of the concentrated solid material remaining after treatment - a mixture of bacteria, organic matter, and particles extracted during the purification process.
Effective sludge removal serves two critical purposes: preventing the accumulation of potentially hazardous materials and maintaining optimal wastewater system performance. Modern facilities employ several proven removal methods, including:
Both on-site systems (septic tanks) and off-site facilities (activated sludge plants) generate sludge as an inevitable byproduct of solid waste removal. Sludge composition varies dramatically, from fresh fecal material with high pathogen concentrations to decomposed matter aged over months or years, where natural die-off has significantly reduced pathogen levels. Treatment protocols must be tailored to these specific characteristics.
Prior to final disposal, sludge undergoes treatment to reduce volume and stabilize organic content. Properly stabilized sludge is odor-free and safe to handle, while volume reduction translates directly to lower costs for storage, pumping, and disposal operations.
Today's treatment facilities can choose from multiple processing options: stabilization, thickening, dewatering, drying, and incineration. Among these, dewatering—typically using polymer chemicals—offers cost-effective volume reduction.
Dewatering can reduce sludge liquid volume by up to 90 percent. These processes can use industrial centrifuges that function similarly to washing machine spin cycles. Centrifugal force separates water from solids, creating biosolid material, while extracted water returns to the plant for reprocessing. Filter presses are also used to dewater sludge as well.
Polymer addition enhances consistency, producing a firmer, more manageable biosolid cake — ideal for handling and disposal.
Important Safety Note: Polymers create slippery surfaces, presenting slip and fall hazards when spills or leaks occur. These chemicals can also act as environmental stress crack agents, requiring careful material selection for storage containers.
The gold standard for polymer storage is a cross-linked polyethylene vertical tank with sloped bottom design featuring an IMFO® (Integrally Molded Flanged Outlet) system. This configuration delivers effortless maintenance with true bottom-of-sidewall drainage and discharge capabilities.
Poly Processing’s IMFO Tank provides superior benefits to wastewater treatment facilities. No other chemical storage tank on the market offers the convenience, protection, and discharge advantages on an IMFO. Key benefits include:
Cross-linked polyethylene construction accommodates thermal expansion and contraction while maintaining structural integrity, significantly reducing failure risk. Supplementary heat pads and insulation maintain optimal chemical temperatures, preventing separation and settling. Integrated mixing systems offer additional protection against chemical separation.
If your facility uses chemicals for wastewater sludge removal, we provide comprehensive solutions tailored to your storage requirements. Contact us today to discuss your specific needs.