A new step in waste treatment: nine tunnels for biological drying

Using biological heat to dry waste

Biodrying uses heat released by the aerobic decomposition of part of the organic material to evaporate moisture from the waste stream. Controlled aeration moves air through the material and carries moisture away. Biological activity therefore provides heat for drying.

Tunnel technology with a different process objective

The installation builds on the principles of tunnel composting. Composting focuses on producing a stable compost product, whereas biodrying focuses on reducing moisture content. Dried material is therefore not automatically compost. Depending on the composition and quality of the waste stream, drying can support subsequent processing.

Nine tunnels, two biofilters

With nine tunnels measuring 6 by 20 metres, the design provides a total tunnel floor area of 1,080 m². Separate tunnels allow batch treatment. Aeration and process operation need to match the material characteristics and the intended drying result. The two biofilters are intended to treat extracted process air and reduce odour. Effective operation requires appropriate sizing and management of factors including moisture and temperature.

Building on experience

AWS brings experience from previously built tunnel installations to this new project. The supplied drawing shows the new design. The photograph illustrates an installation we built several years ago and serves as a reference for our experience with tunnel technology.

Expertise and delivery from Meurs

Adverio Waste Systems’ activities are carried out from Meurs Technisch Ingenieursbureau, bringing together process knowledge, engineering and practical implementation. This project also focuses on the integration of tunnel design, aeration, controls and air treatment.