Paper Title
PERFORMANCE OF THE SLUDGE THICKENER AT WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT

Abstract
Abstract - The overall aim of this study was to assess, evaluate and investigate the performance of sludge thickener at one of Kuwait Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) in terms of the sludge thickness efficiency.The WWTP considered as the newest main domestic WWTP in Kuwait, which has tertiary treatment level for irrigation reuse.The WWTP uses dewatering machine by compressing the sludge thickness to get rid of the wastewater from the sludge and then transfer it to anaerobic digester for treating the sludge. Samples were collected on a weekly basis before and after the sludge thickener. Suspended solid was the main indicator for performance; however, other parameters were evaluated as well such as organics, nutrients and heavy metals. The results shows that the removal suspended solids after the sludge thickener reached up to 90%, it depends on the design of the thickener, the characteristics of the influent sludge, and the operational parameters. Keywords - Dewatering, Sludge, Suspended Solids, Treatment Plant, Wastewater.