Investigation and optimization of composting processes—test systems and practical examples

Körner, Ina; Braukmeier, J.; Herrenklage, J.; Leikam, K.; Ritzkowski, Marco; Schlegelmilch, M.; Stegmann, Rainer

doi:10.1016/s0956-053x(02)00148-4

Cited by 70 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…22 | P a g e All compost piles except pile 1:0 (sewage sludge/organic solid waste) had initial carbon/nitrogen ratio suitable for effective composting (Table 3), which is in agreement with studies conducted by Eldridge (1995) and Korner et al (2003). Low initial C/N ratio in compost pile 1:0 was realized possibly due to relatively low carbon with corresponding high nitrogen content contained in the sludge (Table 3).…”

Section: International Journal Of Environment Issn 2091-2854supporting

confidence: 86%

Co-composting of organic solid waste and sewage sludge – a waste management option for University Campus

et al. 2016

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Co-composting organic solid waste with dewatered sewage sludge was carried out to determine its suitability for managing waste on a University campus. Windrow composting method was employed in which dewatered sewage sludge and organic solid waste were mixed at volume ratios: 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 0:1 and 1:0 sludge/organic solid waste. Parameters such as pH, percentage N, C, P, K, Ca, Mg, organic matter, ash content and C/N ratio were determined weekly. Total and faecal coliform population were measured biweekly with Pb and Cd levels determined at the beginning and end of the composting. With the exception of ratio 1:0 sludge/organic solid waste, all other ratios attained a favourable Carbon to Nitrogen (C/N) ratio both at the start and end of the composting process.Levels of major nutrients measured were found to be favourable for use as organic fertilizer. There was a general decline in carbon and organic matter in all the compost piles except the sewage sludge pile (1:0). Apart from the compost ratio 1:0 sludge/organic solid waste, all other ratios attained a temperature of 55 o C within 8 days of composting. Generally the compost ratios 1:2, 1:3 and 0:1 (sludge/organic solid waste) were found to be the most suitable for use as organic fertilizer.

show abstract

Section: International Journal Of Environment Issn 2091-2854supporting

confidence: 86%

Co-composting of organic solid waste and sewage sludge – a waste management option for University Campus

et al. 2016

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…This phenomenon is not observed in laboratory or pilot scale studies, in which temperature decreases rapidly when the easily biodegradable organic matter is consumed (Gea et al, 2003;Petiot and de Guardia, 2004). In general, the set-up of an industrial-scale facility is not directly transferable to laboratory-scale (Körner et al, 2003). Since temperature is a crucial parameter in composting because it determines the pathogen kill of the compost prior to its application to soil, the evolution of this parameter requires a full scale study.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prediction of temperature and thermal inertia effect in the maturation stage and stockpiling of a large composting mass

2006

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A macroscopic non-steady state energy balance was developed and solved for a composting pile of source-selected organic fraction of municipal solid waste during the maturation stage (13500 kg of compost). Simulated temperature profiles correlated well with temperature experimental data (ranging from 50 to 70ºC) obtained during the maturation process for more than 50 days at full scale. Thermal inertia effect usually found in composting plants and associated to the stockpiling of large composting masses could be predicted by means of this simplified energy balance, which takes into account terms of convective, conductive and radiation heat dissipation. Heat losses in a large composting mass are not significant due to the similar temperatures found at the surroundings and at the surface of the pile (ranging from 15 to 40ºC). In contrast, thermophilic temperature in the core of the pile was maintained during the whole maturation process. Heat generation was estimated with the static respiration index, a parameter which is typically used to monitor the biological activity and stability of composting processes. In this study, the static respiration index is presented as a parameter to estimate the metabolic heat that can be generated according to the biodegradable organic matter content of a compost sample, which can be useful in predicting the temperature of the composting process.

show abstract

“…In fact, the core often lacks oxygen, because of the intense respiratory metabolism of microorganisms in the warm and most environment of the climatically protected core (Körner et al, 2003). A right content in "skeletal" material, such as twigs, pieces of wood or cardboard, helps giving the compost an aerated structure comparable to what soil animals and microbes find in natural humipedons.…”

Section: Manure Humus Systems: Techno Humus Systems With Soil Createdmentioning

confidence: 99%

Humusica 2, article 16: Techno humus systems and recycling of waste

Zanella

Ponge

Guercini

et al. 2018

Applied Soil Ecology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Techno humus systems correspond to man-made topsoils under prominent man influence. They may be purposely\ud conceived for supporting agricultural activities or dumping of waste products, sometimes abandoned to\ud an unknown evolution. Both categories needed a more scientific frame. This is the reason we classified them as\ud morpho-functional humus systems. Improving agricultural soils with organic waste products is an ancestral\ud practice. We present four examples of techno humus systems purposely created for supporting plant growth.\ud Considering a simple home-made composting pile, we give a few basic notions about the biological functioning\ud of these artificial humus systems. Humipedon functioning and structuration are similar to those observed in\ud natural humus systems. Using even animal manure, we illustrate how to manage larger compost piles of waste\ud for application in farming areas. Composting waste that contains animal proteins needs a more careful measurement\ud of the temperature of the pile and a longer period of elevated temperature in the core of the pile.\ud Mulching of pruning residues is presented in a large urban context. The use of mulch must take into account\ud quality and composition of woody material. The lack of nutrients in some residues has to be compensated by a\ud moderate use of appropriate mineral fertilizers. Municipal solid waste, anaerobic digestion residues (grape remains)\ud and spent mushroom compost, eventually mixed with mineral fertilizers, have been tested in horticulture.\ud Benefits and drawbacks are listed for each experiment, with the evolution of carbon storage along 8\ud years of horticultural practice. Finally, we present an example of “dump” humus system. Mine tailing wastes\ud represent a huge problem in many countries. Pointing on their microbial activity, we show that they must be\ud seen as manageable living humipedons, not as piles of inert rocky material

show abstract

Investigation and optimization of composting processes—test systems and practical examples

Cited by 70 publications

References 0 publications

Co-composting of organic solid waste and sewage sludge – a waste management option for University Campus

Co-composting of organic solid waste and sewage sludge – a waste management option for University Campus

Prediction of temperature and thermal inertia effect in the maturation stage and stockpiling of a large composting mass

Humusica 2, article 16: Techno humus systems and recycling of waste

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About