Sludge treatment and management is a growing challenge for countries globally. The quantities of sludge continue to increase as new wastewater treatment facilities are built and the existing ones are upgraded to keep up with the growing population. The cost of sludge treatment constitutes approximately half of the cost of wastewater treatment. Costs are expected to increase as stricter regulations require more treatment. Thus, while selecting a sludge management option for wastewater treatment plants, one of the significant issues to be considered should be optimizing the total cost of sludge management option. Regarding this, in this study; sludge management for treatment plants in Gediz Basin will be analyzed based on optimization of the total costs. Management costs include transportation cost of selected sludge disposal method and cost of required pre-treatment options for corresponding sludge disposal method. As a methodology, an optimization model will be developed and Matlab software will be used for solution of the optimization model. ArcGIS will be employed to prepare input that requires spatial considerations, such as suitability of lands for application of sludge on agricultural lands. As an outcome of this study, optimal cost-based sludge management options will be determined for sludge management in Gediz Basin. 

By: Umut Yıldız

Advisor: Prof. Dr. Ayşegül Aksoy

Date: 10.04.2019