Proximate, ultimate and calorific value analyses of paper industry sludge at different moisture content

Paper industry has a big potency of energy that can be reused in its sludge. However, the water content of the sludge is still high and need to be dried. In this study, the characteristics of the sludge at different water content are explored. The sludge is collected from paper industry in Sumatera Utara province of Indonesia mainly at 70% water content. The experiments are carried out at lower water content that is from 10% to 60%. The proximate and ultimate analyses are carried out and the calorific values are discussed. The objective is to explore the potency of the sludge if it is employed as solid fuel. The results show that reducing water content of the sludge affects the characteristics of the sludge. The lower water content increases fixed carbon value, calorific value and volatile matter.