Abstract:
The objective of this research was to use domestic wastewater sludge as a raw material to produce heating fuel briquettes. The source of domestic wastewater sludge was from the Rattanakosin wastewater treatment plant. Baggase and seed shell of sunflower were mixed with sludge to increase further the heating value of sludge. The mixing ratios between sludge and baggase were 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3 by volume and the mixing ratios between sludge and seed shell of sunflower were 1:1, 2:1 and 3:1 by volume. Sludge without any pre-treatment was used as a control. The pre-treatment of sludge was first conducted using both aerobic and an aerobic processes. In addition, the burning of a controlled sludge was conducted in order to compare the quality of briquettes obtained with the pre-treatment sludge by aerobic and anaerobic processes. Briquettes produced were analyzed for their moisture and ash contents, volatile substances, fixed carbon, total sulfur content and heating value by the method of ASTM 6. Finally, the economic feasibility study of mass production of briquettes produced was calculated. The results reveal that the heating values were decreased among sludges prior treated with aerobic (1,231 kcal/kg) and anaerobic (1,589 kcal/kg) processes compared to the control one within any pre treatment (1,781 kcal/kg). The mixing ratio 1:3 of sludge and baggase gave the highest heating value at 1,971 kcal/kg, however its efficiency of use as solid fuel was only at 59.67%. When considering the economic value of mass briquettes productions, it was found that at the sale price of 8 Baht/kg and under the assumption of 7% of a loan interest rate, provided the shortage returning back period within 2 years.Finally, this research indicates the possible use of domestic sludge especially as a binding agent to agricultural residues to produce heating fuel briquettes.