Case Study from HydroFLOW Italy
Sludge shredder struvite at HERA’s Bologna plant
Sludge shredder struvite was forcing shutdowns at HERA S.p.A.’s Bologna wastewater treatment plant. HERA serves around four million people across Italy, and at Bologna sticky struvite deposits kept forming on a sewage sludge shredder, blocking the blades, cutting flow and stopping the plant every 20 to 30 days for cleaning and descaling. One HydroFLOW® i160 was installed on the sludge feed line to the shredder in September 2019, with 24-hour remote monitoring throughout the trial. The shredder then ran for at least 65 days without interruption, maintenance intervals roughly tripled and HERA went on to buy the trial units.
The Challenge
- Sludge shredder struvite was blocking the shredder blades
- Sticky deposits reduced flow on the sludge line
- Shutdowns came every 20 to 30 days
- Frequent cleaning and descaling were needed
The Solution
- Unit installed: one HydroFLOW® i160
- Installation point: sludge feed line supplying the shredder
- Commissioned: 15 September 2019
- Monitoring: 24-hour remote monitoring throughout the trial
To tackle sludge shredder struvite at its source, the i160 went on the sludge feed line, so the sludge was treated before it reached the shredder. The unit was monitored remotely around the clock during the trial, and the shredder blades were inspected and photographed after 18 and 65 days of treatment, for comparison with their condition after 20 days without it.
Testimonial
“The customer said he was completely satisfied with the use of Hydropath technology for preventing struvite fouling on the sewage sludge line.”
— HERA S.p.A.
