A sludge-drying plant that employs services from solar energy panels has been in operation on a Hawaiian island where its reduces sludge volume by 90 percent, according to published reports.

The two-chamber design of the Thermo System Active Solar Sludge Drying System is deployed to water treatment plant and was commissioned in November. By reducing sludge volume, the solar drying plant slashes costs and expenses pertaining to hauling and disposal.

"We are very pleased to see the Thermo System product line enter the water treatment market," according to Mike Miller, vice president of the Municipal Water and Wastewater Division for Parkson. "The extremely low operating costs, which have caused rapid growth of the technology in the wastewater market, will provide the same attractive operating benefits in the water treatment market as well."

Because the system is chemical free, reliant on the sun to power 95 percent of drying and automated, those using it can devote labor, resources and costs to other obligations and requirements.

Sludge drying technology is in operation at more than 100 sites throughout the world including the frigid Swiss Alps and steamy South Florida.