Abstract: A method for treating liquid waste water sludge after its generation and separation from the waste liquid involves forcibly impacting sludge particles and microbial cells against a contact surface to thereby fragment the particles into smaller-sized particles and break apart the organic cells. As a result of such a fragmentation process, water located in the pores of the sludge particles is released, thereby enhancing a subsequent dewatering process performed on the sludge. The destruction of the cells permits a subsequent solids digestion process to work more efficiently, while also permitting a more complete conversion to dissolved sugars, proteins and carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fragmenting waste water sludge particles to destroy sludge particles and to enhance a dewatering process performed on the sludge. Sludge is passed through a slotted rotor that centrifugally propels the sludge through slots in a surrounding annular stator. Sludge particles forcibly impact against the side surfaces of the stator slots to fragment into smaller sized particles. During the fragmentation process water located in the pores of the sludge particles is released. The free water can later be separated from the sludge in a dewatering apparatus. When passing through the rotor and stator slots, organic cells are broken apart and a portion of each is converted to dissolved sugars and proteins.