title: Evaluation of a microwave based reactor for the treatment of blackwater sludge.
abstract: A laboratory-scale microwave (MW) unit was applied to treat fresh blackwater sludge that represented fecal sludge (FS) produced at heavily used toilet facilities. The sludge was exposed to MW irradiation at different power levels and for various durations. Variables such as sludge volume and pathogen reduction were observed. The results demonstrated that the MW is a rapid and efficient technology that can reduce the sludge volume by over 70% in these experimental conditions. The concentration of bacterial pathogenic indicator E. coli also decreased to below the analytical detection levels. Furthermore, the results indicated that the MW operational conditions including radiation power and contact time can be varied to achieve the desired sludge volume and pathogen reduction. MW technology can be further explored for the potential scaling-up as an option for rapid treatment of FS from intensively used sanitation facilities such as in emergency situations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Engineering and Water Technology, UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, Westvest 7, 2611 AX Delft, The Netherlands. Electronic address: p.mawioo@unesco-ihe.org.
authors.forename: Peter M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Mawioo
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Engineering and Water Technology, UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, Westvest 7, 2611 AX Delft, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Audax
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rweyemamu
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Engineering and Water Technology, UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, Westvest 7, 2611 AX Delft, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Hector A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Engineering and Water Technology, UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, Westvest 7, 2611 AX Delft, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Christine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Hooijmans
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Engineering and Water Technology, UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, Westvest 7, 2611 AX Delft, The Netherlands; Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 67, 2628 BC Delft, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Damir
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brdjanovic
mesh_terms: D019149:Bioreactors / Q000382:microbiology*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000528:radiation effects; D008872:Microwaves; D012722:Sewage / Q000382:microbiology; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods*; D062065:Wastewater / Q000382:microbiology; D014871:Water Microbiology
chemical_list: D012722:Sewage; D062065:Wastewater
keywords: Blackwater; Emergency sanitation; Fecal sludge; Microwave irradiation; Pathogen reduction; Volume reduction