Continuous flow pasteurization of sewage sludge

A continuous flow sludge pasteurization system, comprising:

• a liquid flow system including a continuous flow chamber having an inlet and an outlet;
• means for introducing and maintaining a continuous flow of a slurry into said inlet and through continuous flow chamber out said outlet;
• a source of heat for supplying heat to said slurry at said inlet for heating said slurry to a predetermined minimum temperature of about one hundred forty-five to about sixty degrees Fahrenheit;
• flow constraining means within said continuous flow chamber positioned between said inlet and said outlet constraining the flow of said slurry toward said outlet for maintaining said slurry in circulation in said reservoir at said predetermined temperature for a minimum period of about thirty minutes sufficient to kill all pathogens in said slurry;
• first dewatering means at said inlet for receiving said slurry and removing water from said slurry for increasing the solids content thereof up to about ten percent;
• and
• second dewatering means for receiving said slurry from said outlet and removing water from said slurry.

A continuous flow of sludge pasteurization process, comprising:

• providing a continuous flow circuit having an inlet and an outlet;
• introducing a continuous flow of a liquid slurry into said circuit at said inlet;
• heating said slurry to a predetermined minimum temperature of from about one hundred forty-five to about one hundred sixty degrees Fahrenheit;
• maintaining said continuous flow of slurry in said circuit at said predetermined temperature for a minimum period of about thirty minutes sufficient to kill all pathogens in said slurry while maintaining a continuous flow of said slurry from said outlet;
• and
• removing water from said slurry to produce a sludge.