Discover how DRACO, BKT’s patented HTC system, reduces sludge volume by up to 90%, increases biogas production by 30%, and simplifies sludge treatment with no need for pretreatment.
Less Sludge, More Biogas: Introducing DRACO
At BKT, we’re committed to creating smarter solutions that reduce waste and recover energy. One of our most powerful innovations is DRACO, a patented HydroThermal Carbonization (HTC) system designed to dramatically lower sludge volume and boost biogas production—without requiring pretreatment.
What Is DRACO and How Does It Work?
DRACO is a high-efficiency sludge treatment system that uses high temperature and high pressure to break down biosolids at the cellular level. This process reduces sludge volume by up to 90% (when combined with a dryer) and significantly enhances anaerobic digestion efficiency—leading to a 30%+ increase in biogas production.
DRACO is a perfect match for anaerobic digesters and delivers not just waste reduction but energy recovery as well.
Engineered for Real-World Conditions
DRACO is built to handle non-homogeneous, raw sludge without the need for pretreatment. Its multi-point steam injection system ensures even heat distribution for optimal performance. The design has been validated by 3D flow analysis, ensuring efficient heat transfer and consistent processing results.
Energy Flexibility: Use Waste Heat, Not Extra Power
One of DRACO’s biggest advantages is its ability to operate without external energy input. It can use waste steam from existing heat-generating facilities such as:
- Incinerators
- Coal-fired power plants
- Cement plants
This makes DRACO not only energy-efficient but also cost-effective—turning waste heat into usable process energy.
Solving the Sticky Phase and Cutting Energy Costs
Sludge dryers often suffer from the “sticky phase,” which causes operational instability. DRACO overcomes this with a retrofit-compatible design that stabilizes dryer performance and reduces energy use by up to 70%.
When paired with a filter press, DRACO eliminates sticky phase issues, allowing for smooth dewatering and significantly reducing the amount of sludge that requires hauling or further processing.
DRACO Performance at a Glance
- Sludge Volume Reduction: Up to 90%
- Solids Handling Capacity: Up to 23–25% (vs. 12–16% for typical THP systems)
- Biogas Production Increase: Over 30%
- Dryer Energy Savings: Up to 70% in retrofit setups
HTC or THP? DRACO Does Both
DRACO offers dual-mode operation depending on site needs:
- HTC Mode: ~190°C, ~12 bar, ~30 minutes
- THP Mode: ~170°C, ~7 bar, ~20 minutes
This flexibility allows DRACO to adapt to various plant conditions and energy profiles with ease.
PFAS Management Support
While DRACO does not destroy PFAS, it acts as an effective pretreatment step. By reducing sludge volume and increasing solids content, it concentrates PFAS into smaller amounts—making downstream destruction methods like pyrolysis or gasification more efficient and cost-effective.
No Pretreatment Required
Thanks to its robust engineering, DRACO can treat raw, unconditioned sludge in most cases—eliminating the need for chemical or mechanical pretreatment. This simplifies operations and reduces overall processing costs and time.
Explore how DRACO can help your facility reduce waste, increase energy output, and support a more sustainable future—without compromising on performance.
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