title: Continuous feed, on-site composting of kitchen garbage.
abstract: Kitchen garbage generated at a school cafeteria was treated and stabilised in a controlled on-site composting unit for volume reduction and on-site utilisation of processed garbage. The on-site composter was fed with the garbage on a daily basis during the two-months experimental period. Compost was not removed from the unit but was entirely reused as a bulking agent in order to minimise the need for additional bulking agent and compost handling. Performance of the composter tinder this condition was investigated. Most of the easily degradable organic matter (EDM) in the garbage was biodegraded rapidly, and the final product had a low content of EDM. Lipids, total sugar, and hemi-cellulose were degraded 96%, 81%, and 66% respectively. Free air space (FAS) was higher than 0.5 all the time, so accumulation of dry matter in the unit was not significant in reducing reaction efficiency. Other reaction parameters such as pH and MC were kept within a suitable range; however, it was advisable to maintain MC at over 46%. As a result, this method of operation was able to stabilise the garbage with low sawdust demand and little compost production.
authors.affiliation: Environmental Engineering Research Center, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
authors.forename: Eung-Ju
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Hang-Sik
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Joo-Hwa
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Tay
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D019149:Bioreactors; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D005160:Facility Design and Construction; D005735:Garbage; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000378:metabolism; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000379:methods*; D012574:Schools
chemical_list: D009930:Organic Chemicals