Simultaneous effect of initial moisture content and airflow rate on biodrying of sewage sludge

•Effect of air flow-rate (AFR) and moisture content (Mc) on biodrying was evaluated.•Energy and mass balances were performed for water removal and efficiency analysis.•Initial Mc has a stronger effect on biodrying than AFR.•Water mass balance indicated that water removal was by aeration.•Low values of initial Mc (59%) improve the biodrying efficiency.

The simultaneous effect of initial moisture content (initial Mc) and air-flow rate (AFR) on biodrying performance was evaluated. For the study, a 32 factorial design, whose factors were AFR (1, 2 and 3 L/min kgTS) and initial Mc (59, 68 and 78% w.b.), was used. Using energy and water mass balance the main routes of water removal, energy use and efficiencies were determined. The results show that initial Mc has a stronger effect on the biodrying than the AFR, affecting the air outlet temperature and improving the water removal, with higher maximum temperatures obtained around 68% and the lowest maximum matrix temperature obtained at initial Mc = 78%.Through the water mass balance it was found that the main mechanism for water removal was the aeration, with higher water removal at intermediate initial Mc (68%) and high AFR (3 L/min kgTS). The energy balance indicated that bioreaction is the main energy source for water evaporation, with higher energy produced at intermediate initial Mc (68%). Finally, it was found that low values of initial Mc (59%) improve biodrying efficiency.