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Published on: April 7, 2017
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Modeling biosolids drying through a laminated hydrophobic membrane.
Solmaz Marzooghi1, Chunjian Shi1, Steven K Dentel1
1Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA.
Water Research
|January 16, 2017
Summary
Membrane distillation using hydrophobic membranes offers a sustainable method for biosolids drying. This process effectively reduces moisture content and produces pathogen-free permeate, suitable for sanitation systems.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Engineering
- Water Treatment Technologies
- Materials Science
Background:
- Biosolids stabilization is crucial for sanitation, especially in low-income urban areas.
- Existing methods can be costly and energy-intensive.
- Container-based sanitation systems require efficient and low-cost drying solutions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate membrane distillation for low-cost, sustainable biosolids drying.
- To assess the efficacy of laminated hydrophobic membranes in retaining contaminants.
- To evaluate the potential application in container-based sanitation systems.
Main Methods:
- Utilized three-layer laminated, breathable, hydrophobic membranes to enclose biosolids.
- Applied varying temperature gradients (ΔT = -2°C, 2°C, 10°C) to facilitate vapor transport.
- Analyzed moisture content reduction and permeate purity, including pathogen indicator testing.
Main Results:
- Achieved significant moisture reduction in biosolids from ~97% to 12-30%.
- Demonstrated that permeate was free of fecal coliforms, indicating pathogen removal.
- Observed usable moisture transfer rates through the membranes under different temperature gradients.
Conclusions:
- Membrane distillation is a viable, low-cost, and sustainable approach for biosolids drying.
- Hydrophobic membranes effectively retain contaminants, yielding pathogen-free permeate.
- The developed stagnant film model can assess the feasibility of this technology in sanitation systems.
