The Effect of Adding Straw on Natural Solar Sludge Drying.

The effect of straw on natural solar sludge drying was investigated. As the thickness of the stack increased, the rate of water removal per unit area slightly increased and the rate of water removal per unit volume rapidly decreased. The rate of water removal increased as the accumulation of solar energy increased but decreased as the relative humidity increased. On the 23rd day, the moisture content of the dewatered sludge and the chopped straw mixture decreased from 75.2 to 45.1% at a thickness of stack of 30 cm, with an average water evaporation rate of 7.2 kg/m2d. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]