Optimisation of sludge treatment and transport

Abstract

In this paper we describe some work carried out in the UK into improving the effectiveness of a waste treatment and distribution network. Sludge is the name given to (treated) waste water and sewage. It is collected at small facilities and requires further treatment before it can be disposed of. We develop a linear programming model for the problem of effectively treating and distributing sludge. This model has been implemented in a large UK regional water company, Yorkshire Water.

Keywords:

• waste treatment
• sludge
• linear programming