The dewatering of muds and sludges that come from dredging operations, sewage treatment plants, and remediation or mining activities, is a process that reduces their volume (by reducing the water content), thereby facilitating subsequent disposal and minimizing the relative costs. The two approaches most widely adopted are: electromechanical systems (centrifuges, static and belt type filter presses), and natural drying on drainage beds.
Machines require constant maintenance and use a considerable amount of electricity; natural drying, on the other hand, is lengthier, more odorous and calls for a large surface area (sludge cannot be spread more than 20-30 cm deep).
