Synergistic coupling of flocculation and fenton reaction for enhanced sludge dewatering: Pivotal role of bi-functional cationic tannin

Abstract

The challenges associated with sludge dewatering are primarily attributed to the rigid structure formed through the combination of sludge extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and bound water. Although Fenton oxidation can effectively break down sludge EPS, it faces several challenges including the tough reduction of Fe3+ and the need for large quantities of reagents. In this study, we prepared a cationic tannin (CT) that performed well in flocculation, while also serving as an effective Fe3+ reducing agent due to its phenolic hydroxyl structure. A novel synergistic process coupling CT and the Fenton reaction, integrating flocculation and oxidation, was established for sludge conditioning and dehydration. This system exhibited superior sludge dewatering performance compared to the individual addition of CT or Fenton oxidation under similar conditions. The specific resistance filtration (SRF) of sludge decreased to 22 × 1011m/kg, and the moisture content of the sludge cake decreased to 63.7%. The observed compositional and secondary structural changes in each layer of the sludge’s EPS further confirm the enhanced efficiency of EPS breakdown and bound water release. Following the conditioning process, the sludge filtrate and mud cake met the necessary discharge requirements and could be further treated and utilized as valuable resources in subsequent processes. Additionally, the cost of the system was obviously lower than that of conventional Fenton reaction. This study proposes the use of CT as a bi-functional material, possessing both flocculation and reduction capabilities. By combining CT with the Fenton reaction, we developed an economical and efficient deep sludge dewatering technology.