Characteristics of Biosolids in Dimethyl Ether Dewatering Method

In this study, a method for removing water from biosolids that uses dimethyl ether (DME) as an extractant was considered. This study evaluates the applicability of the DME dewatering method to biosolid cakes by using a DME flow-type experimental apparatus. It was found that a high dewatering ratio is clearly achieved by increasing the liquefied DME/biosolid ratio and lowering the liquefied DME linear velocity. As the liquefied DME/biosolid ratio was increased, the carbon content in dewatered biosolid showed a slight decrease and the TOC concentration in separated liquid increased significantly. Finally, the input energy Es to remove 1 kg of water from the biosolid cake, using both the DME dewatering method and the conventional drying method was estimated. The calculation shows that Es for the DME dewatering process is approximately a third of Es for the conventional thermal drying process.