In this paper, a new circulating fluidized bed (NCFBT) technique is proposed for the disintegration of high solid sludge. By exploring the effects of input pressure, disintegration time and steel ball filling ratio on the disintegration efficiency of high solid sludge, it was discovered that the rise of steel ball filling ratio was accompanied by a significant increase in the content of SCOD, DNA, protein, carbohydrate and \(\:{\text{N}\text{H}}_{4}^{+}-\text{N}\) in sludge. Given an input pressure of 0.30 MPa, a steel ball filling ratio of 0.8% and a treatment time of 60 min, the experimental effect of sludge disintegration was optimal. Compared with the control group free of steel balls, the content of SCOD, DDSCOD, DNA, protein, carbohydrate and \(\:{\text{N}\text{H}}_{4}^{+}-\text{N}\) of sludge increased by 205%, 217%, 244%, 239%, 132% and 123% after the addition of steel balls, respectively. It was also revealed that sludge disintegration was attributed to cavitation, grinding, centrifugal force, shear force and cyclic fatigue. In the absence of steel balls, cavitation was a major contributor. After the addition of steel balls, the cavitation diameter decreased, the cavitation effect was reduced, and grinding became the dominant mechanism. As indicated by these results, NCFBT can effectively decompose high solid sludge and destroy bacterial cell wall, which suggests its high economic viability and extensive applicability.
