Abstract
The non-isothermal drying behavior and kinetics of human feces (HF) were investigated by means of thermogravimetric analysis to provide data for designing a drying unit operation. The effect of heating rate and blending with woody biomass were also evaluated on drying pattern and kinetics. At low heating rate (1 K/min), there is effective transport of moisture, but a higher heating rate would be necessary at low moisture levels to reduce drying time. Blending with wood biomass improves drying characteristics of HF. The results presented in this study are relevant for designing non-sewered sanitary systems with in-situ thermal treatment.
Highlights
According to the Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene,[1] 32% of the population had no access to basic sanitation services in 2015 and achievement of universal basic sanitation by 2030 is a major challenge in many developing countries
The non-isothermal drying behavior of the fecal types BSC2, 4, and 5 and at 1 and 10 K/min are illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 by means of (a) moisture ratio (MR) vs. time, (b) MR vs. temperature, and (c) drying rate (MR derivative) vs. moisture content
The results show that drying profiles differ for fecal types and moisture can be removed at lower temperatures, provided there are no factors limiting drying kinetics
Summary
According to the Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene,[1] 32% of the population had no access to basic sanitation services in 2015 and achievement of universal basic sanitation by 2030 is a major challenge in many developing countries. Some novel concepts of sanitary systems include in-situ thermal treatment of the feces with a two-fold objective: to treat and eliminate the HF waste, and to produce energy for running a selfsufficient unit An example of this approach is the Nano Membrane Toilet (NMT) which is being developed at Cranfield University as a response to the “Reinvent the Toilet Challenge” set by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.[5,6] The NMT includes a dryer to reduce the moisture content of HF and a micro-combustor to convert the residual solids into useful energy. The design of both stages is driven by the achievement of a complete conversion of HF into heat and flue gas as the end products and the efficiency of the process
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