Thermal Reduction

The thermal reduction of sludge includes two major processes:

(a) Total or partial conversion of organic solids to oxidized end products, basically carbon dioxide and water, either through incineration or through wet- air oxidation.

(b)  Partial oxidation and volatilization of organic solids, either through pyrolysis or by starved air combustion, to end-products along with energy contents, involving gases, oil, tar and charcoal. The major objective of this conversion process is the reduction of the volume of solids, as required for final disposal.