INVESTIGATION OF FACTORS OF CONVECTIVE DRYING OF POULTRY MANURE

Abstract

The article deals with the drying of poultry manure, with the prospect of using it as biomass in the production of thermal energy. The purpose of the study was to investigate the chemical and physical properties, as well as the influence of different operating conditions on the drying of poultry manure. The results of the rapid analysis showed that poultry litter had high levels of moisture content (78%), ash (29%), volatile matter (65%) and low bound carbon content (5%). For each mode of operation, the evolution of drying kinetics and thermal efficiency was found at 80 °C and a flow rate of 1.0 m/s and 80 °C and a flow rate of 1.4 m/s. The calorific value remained unchanged even after drying and was more than 11 MJ/kg, indicating that poultry litter is a promising biomass for thermal energy production. Consequently, as a biofuel, dried poultry litter will have characteristics similar to other animal biomass.