Now, civic bodies in India can breathe a sigh of relief as researchers from Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) have found a new technology to solve the mounting solid waste crisis. Researchers have come up with an innovative bio-drying reactor, which can help reduce water content in solid waste and increase its calorific value. This technology was developed on a pilot basis by CUSAT in association with National Institute of Science and Technology, a CSIR laboratory in Thiruvananthapuram.
Prof Renu Pawels, Civil Engineering Department, Cusat who is part of this research says, "The idea to adopt the ‘bio-drying process’ as a sustainable option was initiated after we began a lookout for efficient technology to convert the raw waste into an energy enriched material. We were also exploring suitable technologies for mixed municipal solid waste treatment. Converting waste to energy is the need of the hour especially when solid waste management is posing a headache for municipal bodies. Waste filled with moisture hinders the conversion of waste to energy."
She further added, “Besides reducing the moisture content, it helps increase the energy value of municipal solid waste by a convective evaporation process. This process involves utilising the controlled aerobic reactions and the resulting biological heat to dry the waste. The bio-drying reactor developed for mixed waste with high moisture content was found to be efficient with a significant weight loss of 41 per cent in 11 days."
How will it work?
The bio-drying reactor has been designed to reach a temperature of 50 to 60-degree celsius. This ensures a pathogen-free output
The project was financially supported by Kerala State Council for Science Technology and Environment (KSCSTE)
The company entrusted with waste to energy project at Brahmapuram will adopt the technology to tackle the waste arriving at the treatment plant
