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• A Sludge Judge reading should be taken each day <br /> • RAS is typically in the 40 gpm range for each side. <br /> Sludge Judge <br /> A clarifier core sampler "Sludge Judge" is used to visually monitor the settling effect of the <br /> bacteria in the clarifier, and determine the depth of the sludge blanket in each hopper of the <br /> clarifier. <br /> The core sampler is slowly inserted into the clarifier from the surface to the deepest depth <br /> located near the inlet of the RAS pump. As the sampler is withdrawn, a foot valve at the bottom <br /> seals off the tube, and a representative profile of the settling environment of the clarifier is <br /> visible. <br /> Sludge Judge <br /> Supernatant <br /> Sludge I <br /> - 1 <br /> s <br /> Blanket <br /> f <br /> - 1 <br /> i <br /> E <br /> i <br /> Sludge Judge <br /> The sludge blanket should be about 20% to 30% of the depth of the clarifier. As the clarifier is <br /> about 1S-feet deep the sludge blanket should be about 3 to S feet deep. <br /> Sludge blankets less than one foot in depth are close to being non-existent.A LOW sludge blanket <br /> is okay, but NO sludge blanket can eventually lead to solids loss over the weir and into the filter. <br /> The photos below show what happens to the sludge blanket if the RAS pumping rate is faster <br /> than the bacteria settling rate. The photo on the left is a clarifier with the bacteria settling at <br /> about the same rate as the RAS is being pumped out.The photo on the right is the same clarifier <br /> with a decreased settling rate. <br /> • Check the sludge blanket depth with the Sludge Judge. <br /> o Sludge should be between 3 and 5 feet deep. If so, no adjustments are needed. <br />