In the summer or in a hot environment, the sludge can easily be dried completely, i. e. to 90% dry residue, which means that only 10% water remains. In autumn or spring, partial drying can be achieved (to between 50 and 75% dry residue), while in winter, with longer periods of sub-zero temperatures, plants are sometimes shut down.
Using the energy of the sun
Solar drying of sludge uses the energy of the sun as a thermal energy source. This provides a very ecological, environmentally friendly and energy-efficient process for the treatment of sludge from wastewater treatment plants or water purification plants.
The basic principle of the process is that the sludge is dried in a greenhouse structure. The sludge can be brought into the greenhouse manually, for example with a wheel loader, or automatically directly from the dewatering facility by means of special conveying units.
In the greenhouse, the sludge must be distributed for optimal drying and turned over again and again. This task is performed by the HUBER Sludge Turner SOLSTICE®, which is the heart of the entire process. Sludge transport in the greenhouse is also handled by the turner.
The dried sludge can then be deposited in a depression at the end of the hall or mechanically transported directly to a loading station.
Solar sludge drying - fully automatic and reliable in operation
Recirculation air ventilators ensure improved evaporation
Dry sludge for removal by wheel loader and truck
Fresh air enters the drying hall via weather louvres
Parallel operation of HUBER Sludge Turner SOLSTICE® units
The screw conveyor installed in the floor collects the dry sludge
Dewatered sludge is transported in through gates
Automated sludge feeding with screw conveyors
Touch panel for plant control
Solar Energy
Regenerative and environmentally friendly
Solar drying of sludge uses the energy of the sun as a thermal energy source. This provides a very ecological, environmentally friendly and energy-efficient process for the treatment of sludge from wastewater treatment plants or water purification plants.
The basic principle of the process is that the sludge is dried in a greenhouse structure. The sludge can be brought into the greenhouse manually, for example with a wheel loader, or automatically directly from the dewatering facility by means of special conveying units.
In the greenhouse, the sludge must be distributed for optimal drying and turned over again and again. This task is performed by the HUBER Sludge Turner SOLSTICE®, which is the heart of the entire process. Sludge transport in the greenhouse is also handled by the turner.
The dried sludge can then be deposited in a depression at the end of the hall or mechanically transported directly to a loading station.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
With natural solar radiation alone, between 1,000 and 3,500 kg of water per square metre and year can be evaporated from sewage sludge, depending on the location. Additional heat increases this value even more; it can compensate in particular for the lower evaporation in winter.
One square metre of dryer surface is sufficient for about 10 to 35 population equivalents and "reduces" the associated dewatered sludge by 70% to dry granules.
Solar drying of sludge is suitable from a quantity of about 1,000 tonnes of dewatered sludge per year. The largest solar drying system implemented by HUBER processes 500,000 tons per year.
The largest solar sludge drying plant is located in Egypt at the Bahr el Baquar water treatment plant. With an annual throughput of almost 500,000 t/a, it is by far the largest plant in the world; 128 HUBER Sludge Turner SOLSTICE® units are in operation there.
