Biodrying
Encyclopedia
Biodrying is the process by which biodegradable waste
is rapidly heated through initial stages of composting to remove moisture from a waste stream and hence reduce its overall weight.
In biodrying processes, the drying rates are augmented by biological heat in addition to forced aeration. The major portion of biological heat, naturally available through the aerobic degradation of organic matter, is utilized to evaporate surface and bound water associated with the mixed sludge. This heat generation assists in reducing the moisture content of the biomass without the need for supplementary fossil fuels, and with minimal electricity consumption. It can take as little as 8 days to dry waste in this manner. This enables reduced costs of disposal if landfill
is charged on a cost per tonne basis. Biodrying may be used as part of the production process for refuse-derived fuel
s.
Biodrying does not however greatly effect the biodegradability of the waste and hence is not stabilised. Biodried waste will still break down in a landfill to produce landfill gas
and hence potentially contribute to climate change. In the UK this waste will still imact upon councils LATS
allowances. Whilst biodrying is increasingly applied within commercial mechanical biological treatment
(MBT) plants, it is also still subject to on-going research and development.
Biodegradable waste
Biodegradable waste is a type of waste, typically originating from plant or animal sources, which may be degraded by other living organisms. Waste that cannot be broken down by other living organisms are called non-biodegradable....
is rapidly heated through initial stages of composting to remove moisture from a waste stream and hence reduce its overall weight.
In biodrying processes, the drying rates are augmented by biological heat in addition to forced aeration. The major portion of biological heat, naturally available through the aerobic degradation of organic matter, is utilized to evaporate surface and bound water associated with the mixed sludge. This heat generation assists in reducing the moisture content of the biomass without the need for supplementary fossil fuels, and with minimal electricity consumption. It can take as little as 8 days to dry waste in this manner. This enables reduced costs of disposal if landfill
Landfill
A landfill site , is a site for the disposal of waste materials by burial and is the oldest form of waste treatment...
is charged on a cost per tonne basis. Biodrying may be used as part of the production process for refuse-derived fuel
Refuse-derived fuel
Refuse-derived fuel or solid recovered fuel/ specified recovered fuel is a fuel produced by shredding and dehydrating solid waste with a Waste converter technology. RDF consists largely of combustible components of municipal waste such as plastics and biodegradable waste...
s.
Biodrying does not however greatly effect the biodegradability of the waste and hence is not stabilised. Biodried waste will still break down in a landfill to produce landfill gas
Landfill gas
Landfill gas is a complex mix of different gases created by the action of microorganisms within a landfill.-Production:Landfill gas production results from chemical reactions and microbes acting upon the waste as the putrescible materials begins to break down in the landfill...
and hence potentially contribute to climate change. In the UK this waste will still imact upon councils LATS
Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme
The Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme, LATS, is an initiative by the UK government, through DEFRA to help reduce the amount of biodegradable municipal waste sent to landfill.-How does it work?:...
allowances. Whilst biodrying is increasingly applied within commercial mechanical biological treatment
Mechanical biological treatment
A mechanical biological treatment system is a type of waste processing facility that combines a sorting facility with a form of biological treatment such as composting or anaerobic digestion...
(MBT) plants, it is also still subject to on-going research and development.