Assessment of waste sludge changes during solar drying

Abstract

This research presents the efficiency of an air-based solar drying system for providing comprehensive information on optimal management of the wastewater treatment plant sludge (WWTPs) by using renewable energy. The solar drying method was appropriate for utilizing facilities to remove ammonia and able to inactivate environmentally stable Escherichia coli (E. coli) microorganisms which were dropped at 2 logs CFU/gr. The thermal efficiency of the dryer was recognized under the realistic circumstance in summer when the outdoor peak solar radiation was 934 Wh/m(2), also, maximum and minimum indoor temperature varied between 62 degrees C to 14 degrees C. The main point of this research was to consider that 2312 Wh/m(2) internal cumulative solar radiation, 32 degrees C average internal temperature, and 58% average internal moisture were the leading factors to remove 1kg sludge moisture from 80% to below 10%. This study provides conditions for sludge drying by constructing a special design system for transferring intense hot air from tubes to the system and controlling internal temperature and humidity.