title: High-rate composting of barley dregs with sewage sludge in a pilot scale bioreactor.
abstract: The feasibility of high-rate composting of barley dregs and sewage sludge was examined using a pilot scale bioreactor. A central composite design (CCD) was used to optimize the mix ratio of barley dregs/sewage sludge and moisture content. The performance of the bioreactor was monitored as a function of carbon decomposition rate (CDR) and total volatile solids (TVS) loss rate. The optimum range of mix ratio and moisture content was found to be 35-40% and 55-60%, respectively. High CO2 evolution rate (CER) and TVS loss rate were observed after 3 days of the composting and the compost was matured/stable after 7 days. Cardinal temperature model with inflection (CTMI) was used to analyze the compost stability with respect to CER as a parameter of composting efficiency. After examining the phytotoxicity, the compost can be promoted for land application.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Chiao Tung University, 75 Po-Ai Street, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Li-An
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Mathava
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Jen-Chieh
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Jih-Gaw
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D019149:Bioreactors; D001467:Hordeum / Q000737:chemistry*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012722:Sewage
chemical_list: D012722:Sewage