ANALISIS TIMBULAN DAN KOMPRESIBILITAS LUMPUR KLARIFIER SEBAGAI DASAR OPTIMASI PENGURASAN LUMPUR

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the relationship between clarifier influent characteristics and sludge generation as well as sludge compressibility as a basis for optimizing sludge discharge operations in a Water Treatment Plant (WTP). The research was conducted using a quantitative experimental approach through direct observation of turbidity, Total Suspended Solids (TSS), and sludge volume parameters obtained from sedimentation tests using an Imhoff cone at time intervals ranging from 10 to 120 minutes. Sampling was carried out purposively at the clarifier inlet with a total of 20 samples collected over a two-week observation period. Linear regression analysis showed a very strong relationship between turbidity and TSS with a coefficient of determination of R² = 0.9936 and the regression equation TSS (mg/L) = 1.2634 × (NTU) + 2.3212 after outlier elimination. The relationship between TSS and sludge volume also showed a strong correlation with the equation Sludge Volume (mL/L) = 0.06 × (mg/L TSS) – 0.782 and an R² value of 0.9269. Time series observations indicated a shift in sedimentation mechanisms from flocculent settling to compression settling at high TSS concentrations. The compressibility phenomenon caused a reduction in sludge volume due to interparticle pressure during the settling process. Based on these findings, a mathematical model was developed to describe sludge accumulation and compressibility dynamically. The model was subsequently integrated into a Microsoft Excel-based monitoring dashboard to support sludge generation estimation and improve the determination of clarifier sludge discharge schedules more effectively. This study demonstrates that mathematical approaches and dashboard visualization can be utilized as a basis for operational control of sludge discharge in clarifier units.