title: Effect of output power, target temperature, and solid concentration on the solubilization of waste activated sludge using microwave irradiation.
abstract: In this paper, we quantify the effect of heating pretreatment on the degree of solubilization of waste activated sludge. The pretreatment process was carried out using a lab-scale industrial microwave unit (2450 MHz frequency). Response surface analysis was applied to determine the combination of output power (400-1600 W), target temperature (60-120 degrees C), and total solid concentration (1-3% total solid (TS)). The power, temperature, and TS concentration significantly affected the solubilization degree of sludge. Within the design boundaries, the conditions predicted to maximize the solubilization degree of 17.9% were determined to be 400 W, 102 degrees C, and 2.3% TS.
authors.affiliation: Division of Environmental and Geosystem Engineering, College of Engineering, Kangwon National University, Hyoja 2-Dong, Chuncheon, Kangwon, South Korea.
authors.forename: Woon-Ji
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Johng-Hwa
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.forename: Seokhwan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Chan-Ki
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Lee