What process is used for solids treatment that occurs after stabilization?

Dewatering is the process that occurs after stabilization in solids treatment. After the stabilization stage, which typically involves biological or chemical processes to transform waste into a more manageable form, the solids still contain a significant amount of water. Dewatering aims to reduce the water content of these stabilized solids, leading to a more compact and manageable product that is easier to handle, transport, and dispose of.

This process is essential because reducing the moisture content not only minimizes the volume of waste but also enhances the efficiency of subsequent treatment processes, such as incineration or landfilling. By effectively removing water, dewatering renders the solids less prone to leachate generation and aids in meeting regulatory requirements for disposal.

Other processes listed, such as filtration, incineration, and pre-treatment, serve different functions. Filtration typically involves separating solids from liquids in various contexts but does not specifically relate to the post-stabilization phase of solids treatment. Incineration is a method for reducing waste volume by burning it, which may occur after dewatering but is not a post-stabilization process itself. Pre-treatment refers to initial steps taken before the main treatment processes, which is also distinct from the stabilization and subsequent dewatering phases.