Method and apparatus for drying wet bio-solids using excess heat from a cement clinker cooler

A method for drying wet bio-solid material for use as a fuel or fuel additive in a cement making process comprising the steps of:

• extracting excess heat from a clinker cooling apparatus used in said cement making process;
• using said excess heat extracted from said clinker cooler to heat a contact drying surface;
• exposing said wet bio-solid material to said contact drying surface whereby said bio-solids are dried by evaporation of moisture and volatile components from said wet bio-solids;
• condensing water evaporated from said bio-solids for reuse or safe disposed;
• recovering said volatile vapors for introduction into a combustion process in said cement making process;
• and
• recovering a dried bio-solid product.