Patent ID: 6063147
Filing Date: 2000-05-16
Classification: C02F,C10J,C10L,Y02E,Y02W

Abstract:
A method for concentrating a biosludge for use as a fuel source for a partial oxidation gasification reaction, wherein said biosludge comprises a plurality of bacterial cells with cell walls containing intracellular water, comprising:(a) dewatering the biosludge to a dry solids content of at least about 3 weight %;(b) heating the dewatered biosludge in a biosludge evaporator at a temperature sufficient to weaken the cell walls containing the intracellular water and at a rapidly reduced pressure sufficient to rupture the weakened cell walls and release the intracellular water; and(c) evaporating the released intracellular water as a hot aqueous vapor from the ruptured cells of the biosludge, to produce the concentrated biosludge fuel source for the partial oxidation gasification reaction.