The SolarBatch concept is a batchwise process for drying sewage sludge, digestate and various other substrates.
The material to be dried is brought into the drying hall, usually by wheel loader or push-off trailer. Using free solar energy and with the help of the Electric Mole, a fully automatic turning robot, and a ventilation system, the material is uniformly dried to the desired DS content. Removal is again carried out by means of a wheel loader. Due to its simplicity and robustness, the THERMO-SYSTEM SolarBatch concept is the most widely used worldwide. A further development of the Electric Mole with the 3D laser scanning system LiDAR allows an additional increase in performance and a simplified operation.
The application possibilities of the concept are manifold: SolarBatch is not only suitable for drying a wide variety of drying goods, but is also characterized by a particularly high scalability. For example, the capacity of plants already realized ranges from 200 t to 170,000 t of sludge throughput per year.
The advantages of the THERMO-SYSTEM SolarBatch concept
SolarBatch concept | Electric Mole
Our Plus concepts are the solution of choice when heat energy is available. By introducing additional low-temperature heat, the drying capacity of the plant can be massively increased and the dependence on seasonal fluctuations significantly reduced.
Suitable heat sources include, for example, CHP waste heat, waste heat from industrial processes, biomass heating, heat pumps, etc. For the Plus concept, this additional heat energy can be used from as low as 30-40°C and on a fluctuating basis. Our ClimaControl control system ensures optimum energy utilization. The heat input is provided by air heating coils and/or floor heating.
Our many years of experience (since 1999) and a wide range of applications (realized plants from 50 kW to 20 MW) ensure that extremely economical concepts can be realized even in very confined spaces.
In the SolarBatch process, the material to be dried is brought into the drying chamber by means of a wheel loader, push-off truck or similar and roughly distributed in piles. The Electric Mole takes over the fine distribution, turning and mixing. Removal is again done by wheel loader, direct loading onto a truck is also possible. We develop and optimize the corresponding customized logistics concepts in close cooperation with our customers.
The optimized process control with the ClimaControl software enables highly efficient drying, as all plant components are controlled and regulated. This approach ensures that drying conditions are constantly optimized and adjusted fully automatically.
All plants are equipped with speed-controlled recirculation and exhaust fans. The recirculation fans on the hall ceiling ensure optimum overflow of the substrate and thus contribute to uniform drying.
The exhaust fans optimize air exchange with the environment and ensure the discharge of saturated air from the drying hall.
Our patented MoviVent system, consisting of speed-controlled recirculation fans on a pivoting unit, contributes to further optimization of drying: the inward and outward pivoting fans remove moisture boundary layer on the sludge surface more effectively and over a wider area, further maximizing drying performance.
Although ClimaControl control minimizes emissions and odors, treatment of exhaust air is useful and necessary under certain conditions, such as unstabilized or poorly stabilized sludge, high local requirements, or close proximity to residential or commercial areas.
Since the optimum exhaust air treatment concept depends on the specific conditions, we use different solutions, such as biofilters or scrubbers, depending on the requirements.
