Novel and alternative polyelectrolytes to reduce polyacrylamide demand for sludge conditioning and dewatering

Project Member(s): Vigneswaran, S., Nguyen, T.

Funding or Partner Organisation: Sydney Water Corporation
Sydney Water Corporation

Start year: 2021

Summary: 1. A range of commercially available polyelectrolytes (based on polyDADMAC) and novel polyelectrolytes have shown that it is possible to increase dewatering. 2. The rationale behind the synthesis of novel polyelectrolytes developed by UNSW is to “destabilise” the gelified bound water that surrounds the sludge particles. This approach has great potential and needs further research. 3. It is planned to carry out further synthesis as well as modification of the polyDADMAC polyelectrolyte studies by UTS. 4. The most successful polyelectrolyte(s) from the research will be scaled up by one suitable UNSW’s chemical manufacturer network. 5 The ultimate objective is to carry out a full scale trial at Cronulla WWTP

FOR Codes: Environmental Technologies, Urban and Industrial Water Management, Environmentally sustainable engineering , Terrestrial systems and management not elsewhere classified

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.