DRYING KINETICS OF SEWAGE SLUDGE AND HAZELNUT SHELL MIXTURES USED AS AN ALTERNATIVE FUEL IN CEMENT INDUSTRY

Abstract

This study presents drying characteristics of sewage sludge and mixtures used as an alternative fuel in cement incineration systems. In order to increase calorific value and reduce moisture, content of sewage sludge, different agricultural waste substance like hazelnut shell is included in it. Drying characteristics of sewage sludge and hazelnut shell mixtures were evaluated for four drying methods with moisture content and results were compared with each other. Moisture rate as a function of time for different rates of samples were obtained experimentally and also compared with the semi-empirical models from literature. In addition, higher heating values (BEV) of sewage sludge and hazelnut shell mixtures ranged between 3445 and 4900 kcal/kg.