Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to main content

The modelling of combined strategies to achieve thermophilic composting of sludge in cold region

  • Harbin Institute of Technology

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Low ambient temperature presents a significant technical challenge for efficient operation of the composting facility located in cold region. In this study, mathematical model was used as a tool to develop the operational strategy to accomplish thermophilic composting of sewage sludge in the cold-climate environment. The correlations between composting temperature, water volatilization, heat loss rate, organics degradation and ambient temperature, feedstock temperature, sludge moisture and aeration rate were predicted and evaluated by using the numerical simulation method. The feasibility of optimizing air supply, adjusting feedstock moisture and elevating starting temperature in the low temperature surroundings was investigated. The results obtained from both mathematical modelling and pilot-scale composting experiments demonstrated that the combined strategies of the three approaches could preliminarily achieve material drying, pathogen inactivation and organics stabilization within 20 days at the ambient temperature as low as-24°C. However, it seems difficult for anyone of these approaches to meet the requirement of thermophilic composting, independently.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)608-616
Number of pages9
JournalInternational Biodeterioration and Biodegradation
Volume85
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2013

Keywords

  • Composting
  • Control
  • Low temperature
  • Model
  • Operation
  • Sludge

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The modelling of combined strategies to achieve thermophilic composting of sludge in cold region'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this