The Development of a Hydroperm Microfiltration System for the Treatment of Domestic Wastewater Effluents.

Laboratory experiments to investigate the feasibility of further concentrating the already concentrated containing approximately one to two percent total solids human wastes of the type encountered onboard U. S. Army watercraft or at field troop installations are described. The additional concentration is performed by cross-flow microfiltration utilizing unique microporous plastic tubes called HYDROPERM. It is shown that a significant degree of dewatering of the concentrate can be achieved while producing a relatively clear, suspended-solids-free permeate. Fluidization of the sludge by the addition of a light oil combined with the ability of HYDROPERM to separate oil-water emulsions, enables the attainment of even greater degrees of dewatering up to ninety-eight percent. It is also demonstrated that the oil-based sludge residue can be further treated using the Carver-Greenfield Process, so as to produce a dry, sterile residue.