Mark Mullan

Picket Fence Thickener

Semester 2 2010/11

CIV512J2

Introduction & Application of Picket Fence Thickener Picket Fence thickeners are a form of sludge thickening and sludge dewatering technology (1). They are found present in the desludging tanks of wastewater treatment facilities (2). Sludge thickening is sought after in order to reduce the presence of water found in the downstream processes of digestion and dewatering, at the wastewater treatment plants (3). There are two common types of picket fence thickener, the column supported picket fence thickener and the bridge supported picket fence thickener. Bridge supported thickeners can measure up to 178 feet in length and the column supported thickeners can measure 328 feet in length (5). These different lengths of thickener that can be used to allow the thickeners to be incorporated into both small and large scale wastewater treatment works. Construction & Cost Detail In designing sludge thickening systems, a good entry flow distribution of wastewater is required (7). A uniform distribution of sludge around the tank is desired in order to accelerate the treatment process. An uneven distribution of sludge around the tank would only lead to inadequate and delayed treatment. A collector mechanism is required to gather the water that is separated from the sludge and properly sized piping and overflow weirs are essential from both functionality and environmental perspectives (7). Consideration to these factors is therefore essential at the design stage. A new wastewater treatment plant to comprise a storm and sludge tank, 1000m of picket fence thickening equipment, a pumping station and process control building would cost between
Figure 1 Bridge Supported Picket Fence Thickener

400000 and 450000 (8).

Figure 2 Circular Picket Fence Thickener

CIV512 Water Resources Engineering Process Engineering Elements 2010/11 Mark Mullan 1

Mark Mullan

Picket Fence Thickener

Semester 2 2010/11

CIV512J2

Process Engineering Detail/Calculation The Unit Area and the flow rate of sludge need to be known in order to calculate the area of the picket fence thickener. Unit area = ft/lb/day The area required per lb per day of sludge in the influent (6) Picket Fence thickener Area (ft) = lb/day of influent x Unit Area (6) It is important that an optimum size of picket fence thickener is designed for in order to gain an efficient, with respect to cost and materials, and a sustainable picket fence thickener. Mechanical Thickening Process A picket fence thickener is made up of a series of vertical rods that span the length of consolidation tanks. The rods are spaced approximately 100mm apart and the rate of rotation is seen as being critical, with optimum thickening occurring between blade velocities of 0.5 3m min (9). The thickeners are rotated around the tanks in order to prevent
Figure 3 Picket Fence Thickener Schematic Diagram

water from reaching the surface (1). The water is removed from the consolidation tanks by a discharge cone that is located at the bottom of the thickener (4). Sustainability Relevance The thickening process improves the digester operation. This maximises the available mechanical resources at the wastewater treatment plant (6). Thickening the sludge reduces the sludge volume and this is particularly important with regard to sustainability, especially if the sludge is being disposed of to landfill sites. Thickening improves the economy of sludge dewatering systems and this relates to the economic pillar of sustainable development (6). The process produces less sludge and this reduces the environmental impact that would arise from having to incinerate or transport the sludge.
CIV512 Water Resources Engineering Process Engineering Elements 2010/11 Mark Mullan 2

Mark Mullan

Picket Fence Thickener

Semester 2 2010/11

CIV512J2

References (1) www.satec.co.uk (2) www.web4water.com (3) www.water.siemens.com (4) www.ovivowater.com (5) www.eimcowatertechnologies.co.uk (6) R.S Ramalho, (1977), Introduction to wastewater treatment processes, Academic Press (7) L.B Escritt, (1984), Sewerage and Sewage Treatment International Practice, John Wiley & Sons Limited (8) www.obor.ie (9) N.F Gray, (1999), Water Technology, Arnold

CIV512 Water Resources Engineering Process Engineering Elements 2010/11 Mark Mullan 3

Mark Mullan

Picket Fence Thickener

Semester 2 2010/11

CIV512J2

CIV512 Water Resources Engineering Process Engineering Elements 2010/11 Mark Mullan 4