Moisture diffusivity during microwave drying of wastewater sewage sludge

Lyes Bennamoun, Zhenyu Chen, Arshad A. Salema, Muhammad T. Afzal

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference PaperOther

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Microwave drying of wastewater sewage sludge was investigated in this study. The power level ranged from 360 W to 600 W and the initial mass of the samples varied from 30 g to 50 g. The drying kinetic of sludge showed three distinct phases; a short adaptation period, a long constant drying rate period then a falling drying rate period. The dimensional measurements indicated that depending on the applied drying conditions the initial volume shrank up to 40%. Mathematical modeling of microwave drying of wastewater sewage sludge was performed using Fick's law. Analytical solution of diffusion model was achieved by incorporating shrinkage and finite dimensions of the sample. Diffusion coefficient was defined as a function of the applied drying conditions (power level, initial thickness and mass of the sample). In this study, it was proved that neglecting shrinkage or considering infinite shape brings to an over estimation of the diffusion coefficient.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAmerican Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual International Meeting 2014, ASABE 2014
PublisherAmerican Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers
Pages3193-3202
Number of pages10
ISBN (Electronic)9781632668455
Publication statusPublished - 2014
Externally publishedYes
EventAmerican Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual International Meeting 2014 - Montreal, Canada
Duration: 13 Jul 201416 Jul 2014

Publication series

NameAmerican Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual International Meeting 2014, ASABE 2014
Volume5

Conference

ConferenceAmerican Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual International Meeting 2014
Abbreviated titleASABE 2014
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityMontreal
Period13/07/1416/07/14

Keywords

  • Drying conditions
  • Fick's law
  • Mathematical modeling
  • Moisture diffusion coefficient
  • Thin layer drying

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