Insight into the Effects of Inorganic Element Catalysis and Basic Fuel Properties on the Self-Sustained Smoldering Process of Sewage Sludge
, Xiaowei Wang 3, Qianshi Song 2,4,*, Qianyi Chen 1,2, Haowen Li 2, Zixin Yang 2 and Xiaohan Wang 1,2,*
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
To be considered for publication, authors must make substantive changes. Consider the following aspects:
1) The objective was to demonstrate the inorganic elements' catalytic effect in the sludge during the smoldering process. The correlation between the results (activation energy, percent conversion, product distribution, among others) and the presence of certain elements like Ca, and Na, among others, was not discussed.
2) The absence of logic sequential and order in writing makes the manuscript exceedingly challenging to grasp.
3) There are many figures with little discussion. More information can be extracted from the figures presented; the discussions were short. There are also other figures that do not present relevant information (that is why they have a little discussion), which should be in the supplementary materials.
4) The conclusion and part of the results mention "the synergistic effect of the inorganic content in the sludge", but the research lacks a synergy analysis.
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
The work is aimed at an experimental study of the process of pyrolysis of silt sludge of various origins. As a novelty, a comparison of process data and sludge characteristics is claimed.
Unfortunately, the manuscript does not contain significantly new information that opens up new knowledge.
However, the results of the study provide an array of new data and expand the resource base. Thus, a good technical study of the study can be attributed in support of the authors.
I believe that the work can be improved in the following areas:
- It is known that this raw material is heterogeneous within the same origin. How will this affect the process?
- To enhance the discussion of the work, the authors are recommended to compare the obtained thermal analysis data with the results of other studies.
- It is recommended to discuss in more detail the mechanism of activated pyrolysis (qualitatively) and designate it as the main element of novelty in the work.
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
I recommend accepting the paper at the current form.
Reviewer 2 Report
After the changes made the manuscript can be recommended for publication in the journal.
