The Composting of Brewery Sludge

Abstract

Sludge produced from a trickling filter effluent treatment plant dedicated to the treatment of brewery wastewater was flocculated with cationic polyelectrolytes and dewatered by centrifugation to produce a cake of around 16% (w/w) solids. This cake was mixed with spent grains, shredded office paper and straw to produce an initial mix of 34% (w/w) dried solids with a carbon : nitrogen ratio of 21:1. Temperatures of over 45°C were achieved for around 9 days in a purpose built, laboratory scale, composting unit equipped with temperature and aeration control. Dried solids (DS) were increased to about 65% (w/w) and the volatile solid fraction was reduced from 80% to 60% (w/w) of DS by microbial degradation. The compost was rich in nitrate and phosphate and was used as a peat substitute in qualitative, comparative growth trials where geranium and tomato plants were successfully grown.

Utilization Potential of Brewery Waste Water Sludge as an Organic Fertilizer

“…Sun drying the BWS for agricultural application is more economical than flocculating and centrifuging as outlined by Stocks and co workers. 9 Agriculture dependent developing countries such as Sri Lanka rely mainly on imported inorganic chemical fertilizers and thus byproducts such as BWS could play a role in the development of the economy in an environmentally friendly manner.…”

“…The treatment of organic solid waste is currently a growing area of investigation as new options, that substitute the conventional treatment system, are explored. Due to increasing environmental concerns and regulations, there have been attempts to utilize this brewery by product in an environmentally friendly manner 1,2,[5][6][7]9,10 . In developing countries, non-utilization of by products is a drag on economic growth and businesses and the business community is increasingly recognizing the potential.…”

An Overview of the Utilisation of Brewery By-Products as Generated by British Craft Breweries

“…The composting of spent grain by itself has been found to be difficult because of its high moisture content [7]. Nevertheless, when combined with other waste streams, spent brewers grains can be successfully composted [8]. Energy production is another viable use for brewers spent grain.…”

Use of industrial diatomite wastes from beer production to improve soil fertility and cereal yields

“…Environmental concerns have led to more stringent regulations and increased incentives to utilize byproducts without unintended environmental consequences (Stocks et al, 2002;Kanagachandran, 2004). Research that explores opportunities to reuse and recycle wastes, including brewery byproducts, is important to improve the efficiency of production and consumption, and thereby make progress toward sustainable development goals (UN, 2015).…”