Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 27, 2026

Methods for Facilitating Microbial Growth on Pulp Mill Waste Streams and Characterization of the Biodegradation Potential of Cultured Microbes
Published on: December 12, 2013
Thermal drying of wastewater sludge with crack formation
1Thermal Engineering Department, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
Abstract:
We examined in this work the drying characteristics of wastewater sludge. The drying flux of the constant-rate period for sludge cake could be up to 40% higher than that from a sand bed. Owing to the considerable volume shrinkage of cake, cracks would form and develop on the crack surface, which yielded three-dimensional but rather than the one-dimensional cake structure assumed in conventional drying theories. The crack length was fully developed in the first 30 min of drying, while the width of crack increased linearly with time. Using these data the drying flux from the cracks was estimated. Enhanced drying flux was noticeable which depended on the crack shape and the crossflow velocity.
Related Concept Videos
Microcracking in Concrete
Drying Shrinkage
A portion of this drying shrinkage can be reversed; if the concrete is...
Types of Non-structural Cracks in Concrete
Plastic shrinkage cracks typically form within hours after the concrete is poured. The concrete's surface dries faster than the bottom, creating tensile stress that the still-plastic concrete cannot withstand, leading to diagonal or randomly patterned cracks on the concrete surface.
Plastic...
Frost Action on Concrete
This freeze-thaw cycle primarily causes surface scaling, where...
Design Example: Managing Concrete Workability
To address...
Biological Treatment of Effluent and Waste Water

