Convective drying of wastewater sludges:: Influence of air temperature, superficial velocity, and humidity on the kinetics

The influence of air temperature, velocity, and humidity during convective drying of two different sludges (A and B) is investigated through a 3 3 factorial design. For sludge A, a constant drying flux period is observed, while sludge B is characterized by a long decreasing drying flux phase. A sensitivity analysis shows that temperature is the main operating parameter affecting the drying kinetics. Mass and heat transfer coefficients as well as water evaporation capacities are calculated from drying curves. Transfer coefficients are related to operating conditions through dimensionless relations. For both sludges, a linear relation is found between water evaporation capacity and the maximal measured drying flux.