Novel bulking agent from clay residue for food waste composting.
New granular material from clay residue was investigated as a bulking agent for food waste composting. Five mixing ratios of granule were conducted in a laboratory scale reactor at the desired low rate of air (0.05 l min(-1)). The evolution of temperature and the accumulative CO(2) emissions were monitored. Physical and chemical changes, N loss, and organic matter degradation of compost were also examined. Adoption of granules of 15% V/V (FAS 31.6%) enhanced the thermophilic composting and CO(2) emissions; thus satisfying the Process to Further Reduce Pathogens (PFRP, USEPA) as well as obtaining the highest rate constant of organic matter degradation (k=0.005 day(-1)). As the amount of granules was doubled (35% V/V), the temperature was not only cooled, but also promoted the substantial N loss (54%). It was suggested that bulking agent from clay residue can be used beneficially as reusable media for microbial inoculation as analyzed by SEM.
Jolanun
Banjarata
B
Department Environmental Engineering, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna, 128 Hauykeaw Rd., Muang, Chaingmai 50300, Thailand. banjarata@yahoo.com
Towprayoon
Sirintornthep
S
D000538:Aluminum Silicates / Q000737:chemistry*; D019149:Bioreactors; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000032:analysis; D000077215:Clay; D005502:Food; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000737:chemistry; D012037:Refuse Disposal; D012987:Soil; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D012987:Soil; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D009584:Nitrogen; D000077215:Clay