The versatile end-product that results from the IPS biodrying process can be used for fuel or fertilizer and is generated using less energy than traditional drying technologies.
While many principles of composting and biodrying are similar, there are significant differences with respect to wastewater sludge or biosolids. Biosolids composting requires a relatively high carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, high porosity, moisture maintenance, and a long process retention time to produce a marketable end-product. Shredded wood waste or other cellulose bulking agents are used, moisture may be added during the composting stage, and a curing phase follows active composting.
In biodrying, the goals usually are to stabilize, decrease both volume and moisture content, and retain the calorific value of the feedstock for end-use as a fertilizer or a fuel. Therefore, woody amendments and moisture are not added during the biodrying phase, which is ideal if wood waste and carbon-rich amendments are in short supply. The retention time is also shorter since no curing is required.
The end-product that results from the IPS biodrying process can be used for fuel or fertilizer and is generated using less energy than traditional drying technologies.
Creating a biosolids fuel product with an energy-conservative process makes MEB an ideal companion for conversion technologies. Siemens is also researching the applicability of using the MEB process to generate feedstock for gasification.
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