Catalytic and thermal degradation of Korean food sludge

Korean food waste sludge was degraded by using a new thermal degradation method. In this system, radish contained waste food sludge as main portion was selected as a standard material. Products of thermal degradation were mainly composed of carbonized solid, small amounts of oil and methane. Total energy production was dependent on the reaction temperature. About 25-32% of solid in the radish was converted to carbonized solid in the thermal degradation of radish at 200 degrees C. The heating values of the carbonized solid and the liquefied heavy oil were 4000-6000 cal/g and about 8000 cal/g respectively. Various catalysts were also examined to improve the carbonized solid used as energy source. Acid clay and Montmorillonite KSF catalysts showed the best results among the catalysts tested. From the energy balance, this thermal degradation process operated at 200 degrees C was a net energy producer.