Heat Treatment

This process involves the treatment of sludge by heating in a pressure vessel to temperatures of up to 260ºC at pressures of up to 2,760 kN/m² for approximately 30 seconds. The exposure of sludge to such conditions results in the hydrolysis of proteinaceous compounds, leading to cell destruction and the release of soluble organic compounds and nitrogen. This process also serves for conditioning, as the thermal activity releases bound water and results in the coagulation of solids.