Abstract:HighlightsDry human faeces have a Higher Heating Value (HHV) of 24 MJ/kg.Faeces combustion was investigated using a bench-scale downdraft combustor test rig.Combustion temperature of 431–558 °C was achieved at air flow rate of 10–18 L/min.Fuel burn rate of 1.5–2.3 g/min was achieved at air flow rate of 10–18 L/min.Combustion temperature of up to 600 ± 10 °C can handle 60 wt.% moisture in faeces.
“…1 with summary below.Fig. 1Graphical representation of the bench-scale fixed bed downdraft combustor test rig [6]. (1) Suction Fan, (2) Exhaust Port, (3) Ash Agitator, (4) Fuel Bed (Grated Surface), (5) Air Supply Line, (6) Rotameter, (7) Fuel Inlet Gate, (8) Primary Air Inlet, (9) Upper Combustor Temperature, (10) Lower Combustor Temperature, (11) Combustion (Bed) Temperature, (12) Heater Temperature/Air Igniter, (13) Ash Collector and (14) Ash Rotor.…”
Section: Methodsmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Since raw human faeces contain as much as 77 ± 4 wt% moisture [6] and to limit the moisture entering the energy conversion unit, the residual solids are projected to undergo a pre-treatment process that involves partial drying and pelletisation. These processes can consume a significant part of the energy contained and recovered from the faecal material, if not adequately managed.…”
HighlightsCo-combustion analysis was investigated using a bench-scale combustor test rig.Raw human faeces (FC) contained 73.9 ± 4.4 wt% moisture as received basis.Blending with wood dust (WD) in a 50:50 ratio reduced moisture levels by ∼40%.Minimum acceptable blend for combustion without prior drying is 30:70 WD:FC.Fuel burn rates are 3.18–4.49 g/min for all the blends at air flow of 12–18 L/min.Oxygen, potassium and calcium are the most abundant elements in faecal ash.
“…1 with summary below.Fig. 1Graphical representation of the bench-scale fixed bed downdraft combustor test rig [6]. (1) Suction Fan, (2) Exhaust Port, (3) Ash Agitator, (4) Fuel Bed (Grated Surface), (5) Air Supply Line, (6) Rotameter, (7) Fuel Inlet Gate, (8) Primary Air Inlet, (9) Upper Combustor Temperature, (10) Lower Combustor Temperature, (11) Combustion (Bed) Temperature, (12) Heater Temperature/Air Igniter, (13) Ash Collector and (14) Ash Rotor.…”
Section: Methodsmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Since raw human faeces contain as much as 77 ± 4 wt% moisture [6] and to limit the moisture entering the energy conversion unit, the residual solids are projected to undergo a pre-treatment process that involves partial drying and pelletisation. These processes can consume a significant part of the energy contained and recovered from the faecal material, if not adequately managed.…”
HighlightsCo-combustion analysis was investigated using a bench-scale combustor test rig.Raw human faeces (FC) contained 73.9 ± 4.4 wt% moisture as received basis.Blending with wood dust (WD) in a 50:50 ratio reduced moisture levels by ∼40%.Minimum acceptable blend for combustion without prior drying is 30:70 WD:FC.Fuel burn rates are 3.18–4.49 g/min for all the blends at air flow of 12–18 L/min.Oxygen, potassium and calcium are the most abundant elements in faecal ash.
“…Also, biosolids are included since such residue has an important amount of organic matter, with a similar composition to human feces in terms of proximate and ultimate analysis. A few authors refer to human fecal material as a categorized biomass [6,12,14,30], but the high levels of moisture content tend to approximate their classification as a biosolid. Indeed, while eliminating the water levels, the biomass category fits with more accuracy.…”
Section: Thermogravimetric Analysis (Tga) and Differential Scanning Cmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…However, to use these residues as an energy source, reducing the water content to the level required for thermochemical conversion technologies is still a challenge. Very few works have attempted to convert human feces [5][6][7][8], and the conversion has been reached by mixing feces with inert materials, e.g., sand [5], or with plastic materials [8]. Heretofore, the only successful case of converting raw feces has been made in a bench-scale fixed bed reactor [6].…”
Section: Introductionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Some authors explored the thermochemical characterization of simulated feces on smoldering combustion [9][10][11], and gasification [6,12], but to reproduce feces is a very complex challenge considering its heterogeneous characteristics. Nevertheless, the results were very encouraging.…”
Residues with a large amount of organic content represent a potential for energy recovery. Specifically human feces, given the amount of global production and the environmental appeal, appear as a potential candidate for a new feedstock. The objective of this work is to perform a thermodynamic assessment of human feces gasification considering for the first time all inefficiencies of a downdraft gasifier. A thermochemical characterization was conducted from the sterilized raw material to the products. New data and discussions about the conversion efficiencies for such type of fuel are brought up, such as the influence of the exothermic pyrolysis on the chemical exergy destruction. The results suggest an unfavorable application in energetic terms; however, when the exergy analysis is added with the environmental bias, the process becomes more attractive due to the high physical exergy.
The current approach to managing waste is one of the major reasons for ecosystem imbalances. In many parts of the world, human excreta are indiscriminately dumped in the environment, leading to the entry of high concentrations of nutrients and pathogens. In urban sanitary systems, nutrients are often not recovered, but large amounts of natural resources (e.g. water) are used for treating wastes at the expense of the environment. These practices are unsuitable and pose risks to human health and the environment, as such current efforts are geared towards providing on-site sanitation and opportunities for nutrient and resource recovery. This mini-review summarises the efforts to valorise human waste and process routes for the recovery of value-added products. These involve a review of ecological sanitation, systems that safely collect and treat human waste in-situ and advanced waste-to-energy systems to convert recovered materials to fuels, heat and/or electricity. Focus is given to low-cost technological solutions that offer ecological benefits and opportunities to recover useful products. The barriers and opportunities to the adoption of on-site sanitation and appropriate technologies are discussed, considering current limitations and potential benefits. There are opportunities to recover useful products from human wastes; however further research is needed to ascertain the value and impact of recovered products.
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