Biodrying

Biodrying is the process by which biodegradable waste is rapidly heated through initial stages of composting to remove moisture from a waste stream and hence reduce its overall weight. [Choi, H.L., T.L. Richard, and Ahn, H.K. (2001) [http://www.biocycle.net/CSUContents/2001/Autumn/303.html Composting high moisture materials: biodrying poultry manure in a sequentially fed reactor] , Compost Sci. and Util. 9(4):303-311] It can take as little as 8 days to dry waste in this manner. [Sugni, M., Calcaterra, E. & Adani, F. (2005) [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15792579&dopt=Abstract Biostabilization-biodrying of municipal solid waste by inverting air-flow] , Bioresource Technology: 1331-7] This enables reduced costs of disposal if landfill is charged on a cost per tonne basis. Biodrying may be used as part of the production process for refuse-derived fuels.

Biodrying does not however greatly effect the biodegradability of the waste and hence is not stabilised. Biodried waste will still break down in a landfill to produce landfill gas and hence potentially contribute to climate change. In the UK this waste will still imact upon councils LATS allowances.

ee also

*List of solid waste treatment technologies
*Waste management

References