title: Application of a recyclable plastic bulking agent for sewage sludge composting.
abstract: A recyclable plastic bulking agent (RPBA) that can be screened and reused was developed to improve sludge composting and to reduce costs. Two RPBAs were developed: RPBA35 (35 mm in diameter) and RPBA50 (50mm in diameter). The objective was to study the influence of size and quantity of RPBA on temperature, oxygen content, water removal during sludge composting, and phytotoxicity of the compost. RPBAs of both sizes improved the temperature, oxygen supply, and water removal compared with the treatment with no RPBA, and obtained phytotoxic-free compost. RPBA50 more effectively removed water than RPBA35. Oxygen diffusion rate in the composting pile containing RPBA50 was higher than in the treatment with no RPBA. When the RPBA50: sludge mixture ratio was above 1:1.5, the period over which the temperature exceeded 55 °C was insufficient to meet the harmless treatment requirement. The water evaporation rate was highest at a ratio of 1:2.
authors: Center for Environmental Remediation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 11A Datun Road, Beijing 100101, PR China.
authors: Hai-Bin
authors: HB
authors: Zhou
authors: Center for Environmental Remediation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 11A Datun Road, Beijing 100101, PR China; Zhengzhou University of Light Industry/Collaborative Innovation Center of Environmental Pollution Control and Ecological Restoration, Henan Province, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China.
authors: Chuang
authors: C
authors: Ma
authors: Center for Environmental Remediation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 11A Datun Road, Beijing 100101, PR China. Electronic address: gaod@igsnrr.ac.cn.
authors: Ding
authors: D
authors: Gao
authors: Center for Environmental Remediation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 11A Datun Road, Beijing 100101, PR China.
authors: Tong-Bin
authors: TB
authors: Chen
authors: Center for Environmental Remediation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 11A Datun Road, Beijing 100101, PR China.
authors: Guo-Di
authors: GD
authors: Zheng
authors: Center for Environmental Remediation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 11A Datun Road, Beijing 100101, PR China.
authors: Jun
authors: J
authors: Chen
authors: Center for Environmental Remediation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 11A Datun Road, Beijing 100101, PR China.
authors: Tian-Hao
authors: TH
authors: Pan
mesh_terms: D000332:Aerobiosis; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D001937:Brassica / Q000254:growth & development; D018525:Germination; D010100:Oxygen / Q000032:analysis; D010316:Particle Size; D010969:Plastics / Q000737:chemistry*; D059027:Recycling; D012722:Sewage / Q000737:chemistry*; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D013696:Temperature; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry; D018508:Water Purification / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D010969:Plastics; D012722:Sewage; D012987:Soil; D014867:Water; D010100:Oxygen
keywords: Composting; Oxygen content change; Recyclable plastic bulking agent; Sewage sludge; Water removal