Non-isothermal drying kinetics of human feces

T Somorin; B Fidalgo; S Hassan; A Sowale; A Kolios; A Parker; L Williams; M Collins; E J McAdam; S Tyrrel

doi:10.1080/07373937.2019.1670205

Non-isothermal drying kinetics of human feces

Dry Technol. 2019 Oct 1;38(14):1819-1827. doi: 10.1080/07373937.2019.1670205. eCollection 2020.

Authors

T Somorin¹, B Fidalgo², S Hassan², A Sowale², A Kolios³, A Parker², L Williams², M Collins², E J McAdam², S Tyrrel²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Chemical & Process Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK.
² School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Cranfield, UK.
³ Naval Architecture, Ocean & Marine Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK.

Abstract

The non-isothermal drying behavior and kinetics of human feces (HF) were investigated by means of thermogravimetric analysis to provide data for designing a drying unit operation. The effect of heating rate and blending with woody biomass were also evaluated on drying pattern and kinetics. At low heating rate (1 K/min), there is effective transport of moisture, but a higher heating rate would be necessary at low moisture levels to reduce drying time. Blending with wood biomass improves drying characteristics of HF. The results presented in this study are relevant for designing non-sewered sanitary systems with in-situ thermal treatment.

Keywords: Drying; Nano Membrane Toilet; human feces; kinetics; thermal analysis.

Grants and funding

This publication is based on research funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The findings and conclusions contained within are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect positions or policies of the funders.