Investigation of Kastamonu wastewater treatment plant solar sludge drying system and disposal recommendations

In this study, the drying efficiency of the waste water sludge coming out of the domestic wastewater treatment plant in the center district of Kastamonu province was evaluated in the solar drying unit and solution suggestions were put forward for the disposal of the dried sludge. In the studies, the performance of the solar sludge drying unit was examined during the 9-month operating period, which started with the commissioning of the solar sludge drying unit. During this process, air temperatures, solar radiation values, sludge cover heights, data on the evaluation of waste heat from biogas engines in the solar unit and halls, and laboratory analysis values of the dried sludge were examined. It has been observed that 90% dry matter rates are achieved without the use of waste heat, especially in summer, but the average dry matter rate decreases in winter months. Considering Kastamonu province and facility location, solution suggestions for the disposal of dry sludge were explained and short, medium and long-term solution options were evaluated. As a result of the study, it was revealed that the most suitable option is composting the sludge and using the sludge as the final product in agriculture.