Effects of air-flow rate on bio-drying of organic residues from MBT facility

Abstract

Bio-drying process applied to Mechanical Biological Treatment system is a technology using biologically generated heat to remove the water content of waste. In this study, the effect of air-flow rate on bio-drying process has been studied. Filling the same amount of waste produced from bio-drying process in commercial MBT facility in three column reactors(R-1, R-2, R-3), then heated air was provided within rates as 0.63, 1.26, and 2.51 L / kg-TS/min respectively. After 35 days of bio-drying, the higher the air-flow rates, the lower waste temperature showed. The maximum temperature shown in each reactor were 46.6, 40.9, and 35.2 degree celsius. Conversely, the water removal ratio was bigger in R-3 as 65.5 g kg-1 than R-1 and R-2. Higher air-flow rate increases the removal of water content in waste at first of bio-drying process. In result of water loss, lack of water can inhibit the activity of thermophiles.