Sludge Hygienization via Heated Screw Conveyor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sludge treatment methods are inefficient in eliminating pathogenic agents like bacteria and viruses from dried sludge, requiring complex and costly processes that do not adequately address health regulations, especially for sensitive fields like agriculture.
Innovation Solution
A sludge treatment installation with a conveying screw system that heats sludge to 90-100°C and maintains it for 4-8 hours, combined with continuous stirring, to effectively sanitize the sludge and eliminate pathogens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional drying installations are used to reduce sludge volume, then the volume is reduced and storage/transport is improved, but the sludge contains pathogenic agents and requires complex spreading plans for agricultural use
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the drying function and hygienization function into a single integrated installation. The drying floor serves both to evaporate moisture from sludge and to provide a heated surface for thermal treatment that eliminates pathogenic agents, thereby merging two separate processes (drying and sanitation) into one unified system.
Solution Approach 2:
The drying floor is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both a drying surface for moisture removal and a heating element for pathogen elimination. This multi-functionality allows the same equipment to achieve both volume reduction and hygienization without requiring separate facilities.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If separate hygienization facilities are added after drying, then pathogenic agents are eliminated, but the process complexity and treatment costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention eliminates the need for separate hygienization facilities by integrating the heating function directly into the drying floor. The floor is heated to temperatures sufficient for pathogen elimination while simultaneously serving as the drying surface, thereby combining drying and sanitation operations into a single process step.
Solution Approach 2:
The drying floor is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both a drying surface for moisture removal and a heating element for pathogen elimination. This multi-functionality allows the same equipment to achieve both volume reduction and hygienization without requiring separate facilities.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If high temperature treatment is applied to eliminate pathogens, then health standards are met, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating action is applied continuously throughout the entire drying process rather than as a separate post-treatment step. The floor maintains heating throughout the drying period, simultaneously achieving moisture removal and pathogen elimination in one continuous operation, which optimizes energy utilization by avoiding redundant heating cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines the drying function and hygienization function into a single integrated installation. The drying floor serves both to evaporate moisture from sludge and to provide a heated surface for thermal treatment that eliminates pathogenic agents, thereby merging two separate processes (drying and sanitation) into one unified system.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The process significantly reduces pathogenic agents, ensuring the sludge meets health standards for safe use in agriculture without the need for strict spreading plans, while optimizing energy balance and reducing treatment costs.
Implementation Method 1
adjust the heating in the screw to obtain a sludge temperature of between 90°C and 100°C
Implementation Method 2
adjust the rotational drive of the screw to obtain a residence time of the sludge within this screw substantially at a predetermined value greater than 4 hours
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a sludge treatment plant comprising an extended floor with a work surface for receiving a mass of spread-out sludges and a movable carriage positioned transversely on top of the work surface. The movable carriage comprises a displacement tool designed to carry the sludges towards a terminal part of the work surface. A withdrawal tool is provided in order to transfer the sludges towards an outlet channel. The outlet channel comprises a screw conveyor associated with a rotational drive system and equipped with a heating means. A controller is fitted in order to adjust the temperature in this screw conveyor substantially to a predetermined value between 90°C and 100°C, while adjusting the rotational drive of the screw conveyor in order to obtain a residence time of the sludges within this screw conveyor substantially to a predetermined value of greater than 4 hours.