A new model of batch biodrying of sewage sludge, Part 1: Model development and simulations

This study proposes a new model of batch biodrying of sewage sludge. This model divided the matrix into two phases (gas and solid), generating 9 · N equations which were solved numerically with Matlab software. A sensitivity analysis was also performed. It was found that the model can represent the experimental trend reported in the literature for the biodrying process, such as higher temperatures (T) for higher initial moisture content (MC) and higher T differences at lower initial MC. The sensitivity analysis shows that the model is mainly affected by changes in parameters k_h,rb, k_h,sb, µ_max, UA, d_p, X_sb,0, and X_H,0.