Biomaterials
Materials made from bio-based raw materials play a central role in replacing products based on fossil raw materials. The development of new biomaterials has accelerated in recent years as consumer preferences change in a more sustainable direction and companies adopt sustainable development practices.
The cornerstone of sustainable bioeconomy is to maximize the value of raw materials in order to get the greatest possible benefit from limited raw materials. It is clear that more and more new processes related to the development of biomaterials need an efficient and adaptable drying process as part of the material’s processing chain.
Pulp and paper industry sludges
Pulp mills generate various sludges such as bio and fiber sludges and green liquor dregs. The development of new uses for these materials often requires drying as one process step. The utilization of materials as energy is enhanced by lowering the moisture content of the materials. An ecological and cost-effective way to promote the utilization of materials is to dry them with the waste heat generated in the factory.
Wastewater sludge
Wastewater sludges must be treated before utilization in such a way that they meet the quality and hygiene criteria. Thermal drying is one possible processing path. Drying improves the material’s heat value and transportability. Utilization of waste heat in sludge drying is a critical factor for achieving profitability. Refining the dried sludge into biochar is one possible end product in treatment of sewage sludge.
Biogasification digestate
There are several different uses and processing methods for the rotting residue, such as spreading it on the fields as it is, composting and processing it into fertilizers. Drying the material improves the transportability of the residue and enables the development of new higher value products, such as biochar.
Raw materials for fertilizers
Manures and other organic masses in fertilizer production need drying in order to process them into hygienic and easy-to-handle final products. In addition to drying, it is possible to add necessary supplements to the material and to further process it, for example by granulating or pelletizing.
Pulp
Pulp is a versatile raw material that can be used to replace several fossil raw materials in various industries. ModHeat is well suited as a pilot-scale drying solution when planning and developing new applications for pulp.
Biochar
Biochar production requires uniform quality and dry raw material so that the pyrolysis process works optimally. ModHeat® can be easily connected to the pyrolysis process, so the waste heat generated in pyrolysis can be used to dry the raw material.
