Changes in maturity indicators during the degradation of organic wastes subjected to simple composting procedures

Selected maturity indicators were monitored over a period of 335 days during the degradation of organic wastes subjected to four simple composting procedures, which varied in raw material (garden refuse with and without market refuse) and turning frequency (0×, 6×). All procedures produced mature composts. The inclusion of market refuse and frequent turning generally increased the cation exchange capacity of compost on an ash-free basis. Until day 118 of the composting process, compost samples which contained market refuse in their raw material mixture had the lowest redox potentials after anaerobic incubation. Cress grown on these composts also produced the lowest fresh mass. At a later stage of the composting process, the same composts displayed increased cellulolytic activity. Frequent turning of the compost heaps resulted in greater fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis, a greater occurrence of low-molecular-weight humic compounds and, occasionally, an inhibition of cellulolytic activity. The arginine ammonification assay gave information on the N-status of the composts, rather than on the compost maturity, and suggested that all the composts could be safely applied to soil with no risk of microbial immobilisation of soil N.     

处理农村生活垃圾装置的研制及工艺

为了探索农村生活垃圾的处理途径,该文研究了一种新型一体化处理生活垃圾的装置及工艺,以广州市番禺区猛涌村生活垃圾为研究对象,进行了2个月的中试试验。研制的堆肥装置分4个小仓,每个小仓容纳垃圾1.56 m3,总容积6.24 m3,抽风机功率为1.1 kW/h,抽风频率为1 d 10次,每次30 min,总时间为5 h,每天总耗电量5.5 kW,能耗低。通过12 d高温发酵,24 d编织袋二次发酵的处理方式,温度能达到60℃的天数在5 d以上,出仓时减容约为40%,堆肥产品质量符合要求,且整个处理过程无二次污染,结果表明该装置及工艺可以用来处理农村生活垃圾,可充分做到垃圾减量化、无害化和资源化。     

Abstracts of nippon Dojyohiryogaku Zasshi

Color change of city refuse during composting process was investigated according to the methods of measurement for color of materials based on the CIE 1931 Standard Colorimetric System. Stimulus value Y (the degree of lightness) and chromaticity coordinates (x, y) were determined with Color Analyzer by measuring relative spectral reflectance. Stimulus value Y of city refuse decreased during composting process, but chromaticity coordinates (x, y) scarcely changed.

Color of various composts, which were produced from city refuse, straw, hog fecal wastes, tree bark, and tree bark mixed with activated sludge, were also investigated by measuring relative spectral reflectance. The shapes of the reflection spectra of city refuse were different from those of the other composts. Colors of the various composts were similar to each other when specified according to their three attributes: value, hue, and chroma (Munsell renotation).

While city refuse was rotting and maturing, stimulus value Yand C/N ratio equally decreased. A positive correlation was found between stimulus value Y and C/N ratio. It was concluded that stimulus value Y can be used as a criterion for determining the degree of maturity of city refuse compost.

The correlation between stimulus value Y and C/N ratio of various composts was also investigated. According to the position on the two coordinates having stimulus value Y and C/N ratio as axe s, various composts were classified into three groups: (i) city refuse compost group, (ii) straw compost group, and (iii) tree bark compost group.     

Comparison of humic acids derived from city refuse with more developed humic acids

Abstract

The humic acids (HA) from composted and uncomposted city refuse (CR) were characterized by degradative (oxidation with persulphate and permanganate) and non-degradative techniques (FT-IR and ¹³C-NMR) in order to analyze the effect of the composting process on these HA. They were also compared with commercial HA extracted from leonardite. The carboxyl and carbonyl group content of the HA from CR increased slightly during composting. Since the HA from the composted CR showed a lower N and H content, the FT-IR spectra showed a lower intensity in the bands corresponding to peptides and carbohydrates. Differences were revealed when the HA from both CR were compared with those from leonardite which showed a much lower N and H content and a less aliphatic character. The percentage of degraded products by persulphate was higher for the HA from uncomposted CR. For the HA from both CR the major components among the oxidation products were dicarboxylic acids and normal fatty acids. In the leonardite HA, the major components consisted of benzene polycarboxylic acids. ¹³C-NMR revealed an attenuation of the aliphatic character of the HA from CR with composting.     

The Importance of Chelation in Composting: A Historical Perspective

? Much more research is presently being done on composting organic wastes than on humification in the soil. Humus research has therefore been reincarnated in the form of composting research. However, chelation is a neglected but important chemical reaction in composting and the utilization of compost as a soil amendment, just as it has been in soil formation and soil fertility. Research is needed to clarify the role of chelation in composting. It is also important to recognize the limitations in interpreting results from compost research in which the role of chelation was not considered.     

Elemental Analysis of Municipal Solid Waste Compost II. Refuse Derived Fuel Unders

In utilizing municipal solid waste (MSW) as fuel for energy production, about 10 percent remains as a noncombustible small size fraction byproduct called refuse derived fuel unders (RDFU). We assessed the feasibility of using RDFU to produce compost for land applications, in the context of acceptable limits for metals. Periodic random samples from two batches of RDFU obtained during composting were analyzed for the heavy metals Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn, and for the plant nutrients N, P, and K. The heavy metal content (mg/kg, dry weight) in all samples ranged from 1.7-12.7 (Cd), 201-3217 (Cu), 267-5002 (Pb), 344-2079 (Zn). The total variability of these elements within a batch of RDFU compost was high, with relative standard deviations (RSD) ranging from 20-107 percent. Estimates of the number of samples needed to obtain a 10 percent uncertainty in the averages ranged from 5-138, depending on the analyte and the compost batch. Leachability tests showed little leaching of metals in the RDFU compost. The high variability in heavy metal content and the excessive Pb concentrations in this RDFU may limit its use for composting.     

猪粪堆制过程中主要酶活性变化

通过室内模拟堆肥,研究了以猪粪为主体材料的发酵过程中的生物化学变化特征。结果表明,猪粪在发酵初期(0～25d)的干物质损失在30%左右,而中后期虽然时间较长,但其干物质损失仅占7%。发酵过程中除过氧化氢酶外,各主要酶活性均呈现不断下降并逐步稳定的趋势。发酵周期内多酚氧化酶和蛋白酶活性出现两次高峰,表明了堆肥内不同时期有机碳、含氮化合物分解和腐殖化进程的强度变化。在堆肥快速分解阶段,转化酶活性下降95%,脲酶、纤维素酶活性下降70%以上,且稳定维持在较低水平,以此可作为判定猪粪堆制过程中腐熟程度的定量生化指标。     

Abstracts of Nippon Dojohiryogaku Zasshi

Abstract

The humus composition was analyzed and the humic acid characterized by UV and visible absorption spectroscopy in order to investigate the rotting and maturing process of city refuse compost according to the method of Kumada et al. During the composting process, the following findings were obtained: (1) the HT value was almost constant, but the HE/HT ratio varied somewhat, (2) HA increased with decrease in FA, and the PQ value so increased clearly, (3) the shoulder-like absorption at a wavelength near 270 nm weakened, and (4) the RF value of humic acid increased, whereas the Δ log K value seldom varied.

The IR spectrum of humic acid gradually changed as follows: (1) the absorption band in the 1700-1600 cm^-1 region and in the 1550-1500 cm^-1 region increased slightly, (2) the band in the 1100-1000 cm^-1 region decreased, and (3) the bands at 835 and 710 cm^-1 com pletely disappeared. On the whole, the shape of the IR spectrum of the city refuse compost became featureless. These changes were probably due to the oxidation which occurred in the composting process.     

Apparent availability of nitrogen in composted municipal refuse

The use of composted municipal refuse on agricultural land requires prior knowledge of the interactions among compost, soil, and plants. Research into the availability of N in highly matured municipal refuse compost is particularly important considering the current concern about groundwater contamination by NO _inf3 ^sup- -N. A greenhouse pot bioassay was conducted to determine the percentage of short-term apparent bioavailable N of a highly matured refuse compost and its relative efficiency in supplying inorganic N to the soil-plant system in comparison with NH₄NO₃. Municipal refuse (after 165 days of composting) was applied at rates equivalent to 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 t ha^-1 to a ferrallitic soil from Tenerife Island (Andeptic Paludult). NH₄NO₃ was applied at rates equivalent to the total N content of the compost treatments. Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) was grown in 3-kg pots and the tops were harvested at regular intervals after seedling emergence. The compost increased dry matter yield, soil mineral N, and plant N uptake proportional to the applied rate. These increases were significantly higher than the control at an application rate of 20 t ha^-1. After 6 months the apparent bioavailable N ranged from 16 to 21%. The relative efficiency was 43% after 30 days. This suggests that large inputs of inorganic N into soil can be obtained with high rates of this kind of compost, with a potential for NO _inf3 ^sup- -N contamination. However, applied at moderate rates in our bioassay (<50 t ha^-1), compost showed a low N-supplying capacity to ryegrass, i.e. a small fraction of the mineralized compost N was used by plants in the course of time. This was ascribed to a partial biological immobilization. This pattern of N availability in highly matured municipal refuse compost, positive net mineralization but partial immobilization, is similar to the pattern of N availability in biologically active soils and is therefore extremely interesting for the conservation of N in agro-ecosystems.     

青藏高原高寒牧区家畜粪便堆肥化处理技术研究

堆肥化处理是有效利用青藏高原高寒牧区牲畜粪便、减轻环境影响的可行途径。本文针对高寒牧区低温和劳动力资源缺乏的问题,研究了一种静态通气方式和保温措施对堆腐效果的影响。静态通气通过埋植于堆体中的通气管实现,而保温通过堆体外的双层塑料膜的温室效应实现。实验结果表明,埋入通气管与翻堆相比可以显著提高堆体内部和堆体外层的温度,有效加快腐熟速度,减少堆腐过程中养分的损失,降低劳动力投入,可以作为高寒牧区替代翻堆的更好通气手段。双层保温膜与单层膜相比能够有效辅助通气管维持堆体高温。堆肥原料中添加磷肥虽然可提高堆腐温度,但同时也增加了堆腐过程中有机质和氮素的损失,需要根据当地实际情况选用。     

Knowledge Assessment,Improved Storage Techniques,and Training of Local Processors and Vendors of Soy Products on Food Safety Practices in South West Nigeria

This study assessed the food safety knowledge, practices, and training needs of local processors and vendors of soy products in South West Nigeria. Ninety women, processors, and vendors were interviewed using a structured interview schedule about their training in food processing; knowledge of food hygiene, spoilage, and poisoning; primary source of water for processing; method of refuse disposal; types of toilet facilities; and hand washing, storage, and packaging practices. Laboratory studies were conducted to improve the storage of soymilk and soy cheese displayed for daily sale and to develop training in good food safety practices for local processors and vendors as an intervention strategy.     

Factors Affecting Air Pycnometer Performance For its Use in the Composting Process

Air filled porosity (AFP) is a crucial factor in composting to guarantee aerobic conditions inside the composting matrix. Among the different methods proposed to measure AFP in composting processes, air pycnometry is defined as the most adequate. There is a lack of a standard methodology for air pycnometry utilization for AFP determination in heterogeneous samples as those from composting materials. Air pycnometers currently used for this purpose are custom made instruments operating under different conditions (sample volume, initial pressure, etc.). All factors affecting air pycnometry accuracy in the composting process are related to the proper maintenance and handling of the air pycnometer and the composting sample. In this study, AFP measurements have been performed in more than 50 samples of a wide range of composting materials using two different custom made pycnometers, one of them coupled to a composting reactor allowing in situ AFP measurement. While temperature variation during AFP measurement has been discarded as an error source, the determination of the sample volume has been found to be a significant factor affecting the air filled porosity calculation. Regarding the initial pressure to use, a compromise between accuracy and practicality has to be established for each pycnometer design as AFP values obtained with diverse initial pressures (from 200 to 500 kPa gauge pressure) were found to present no statistical differences. An initial pressure in the range of 300-500 kPa (gauge pressure) is recommended. In conclusion, there is a need for a standard methodology for AFP determination or prediction at industrial scale. A complete procedure for air filled porosity determination by air pycnometry is also presented in this work.     

Literature Review: Occurrence,Degradation and Fate of Pesticides During Composting: Part II: Occurrence and Fate of Pesticides in Compost and Composting Systems

This paper reviews the findings of research reported in the currently available literature regarding the occurrence and transformations of pesticides through the composting process and the use of compost. Part I summarizes the composting process, pesticides and mechanisms of pesticide degradation. Part II reviews research studies concerning the occurrence and fate of pesticides during composting. Investigations of pesticide residues in composting feedstocks and finished compost detected few of the target pesticides. The compounds that were found occurred at low concentrations. The majority of the compounds detected were insecticides in the organochlorine category, including chemicals that have been banned from use in the U.S. for many years. Generally, organophosphate and carbamate insecticides and most herbicides were rarely detected. Comparisons of pesticide concentrations before and after composting also showed organochlorine compounds to be most resistant to biodegradation during composting. With some exceptions, pesticides in other categories decomposed moderately well to very well. Studies that followed the mechanisms of degradation indicate that mineralization accounts for only a small portion of pesticide disappearance. Other prominent fates include partial degradation to secondary compounds, adsorption, humification, and volatilization. In general the research results suggest that the pattern of pesticide degradation during composting is similar to the degradatiion observed in soils. With a few important distinctions, composting can be considered a biologically active soil environment in which degradation is accelerated. However, as some studies noted, composting does not always speed the degradation of all pesticides. The nature of the pesticide, specific composting conditions and procedures, the microbial communities present, and the duration of composting affect the extent and the mechanisms of degradation.     

Occurrence,Degradation and Fate of Pesticides During Composting

This paper reviews the findings of research reported in the currently available literature regarding the occurrence and transformations of pesticides through the composting process and the use of compost. Part I summarizes the composting process, pesticides and mechanisms of pesticide degradation. Part II reviews research studies concerning the occurrence and fate of pesticides during composting. Investigations of pesticide residues in composting feedstocks and finished compost detected few of the target pesticides. The compounds that were found occurred at low concentrations. The majority of the compounds detected were insecticides in the organochlorine category, including chemicals that have been banned from use in the U.S. for many years. Generally, organophosphate and carbamate insecticides and most herbicides were rarely detected. Comparisons of pesticide concentrations before and after composting also showed organochlorine compounds to be most resistant to biodegradation during composting. With some exceptions, pesticides in other categories decomposed moderately well to very well. Studies that followed the mechanisms of degradation indicate that mineralization accounts for only a small portion of pesticide disappearance. Other prominent fates include partial degradation to secondary compounds, adsorption, humification, and volatilization. In general the research results suggest that the pattern of pesticide degradation during composting is similar to the degradation observed in soils. With a few important distinctions, composting can be considered a biologically active soil environment in which degradation is accelerated. However, as some studies noted, composting does not always speed the degradation of all pesticides. The nature of the pesticide, specific composting conditions and procedures, the microbial communities present, and the duration of composting affect the extent and the mechanisms of degradation.     

Application of Experimental Design Technique to the Optimization of Bench-Scale Composting Conditions of Municipal Raw Sludge

Evaluation of the parameters affecting the compostability of dewatered raw sludge from a wastewater treatment plant has been carried out by means of a full factorial composite experimental design. The factors and their correspondent levels considered in the experimental design were: bulking agent:sludge ratio (from 1:1 to 4:1 by volume), bulking agent particle size (from 0-5 mm to 10-20 mm) and composting volume (in the range of typical laboratory-scale, from 1.5 to 25 L). Experimental design has permitted obtaining a polynomial second-order function that quantitatively describes the influence of the considered factors on the compostability of this waste in laboratory reactors. The function has been numerically optimized to find the optimal values for composting raw sludge resulting in a values of: 0-5 mm for bulking agent size, 1:1 for ratio bulking agent:sludge and a composting volume around 10 L. The use of this technique can be generalized and applied to the composting of other organic wastes and will permit comparison of composting performance of different wastes.     

商品性有机肥料工厂化生产研究动态

商品有机肥料工厂化生产是以畜禽类和有机废弃物为原料,以固态好气发酵为核心的集约化处理工艺。研究查明供气量、温度、湿度和C／N比等是主要发酵参数,指出发酵过程的实质是微生物作用过程,因此调控技术围绕创造好气徽生物适宜的环境而运行。工厂化生产的特点是有机物质的转化呈半腐解态,高温和pH值同步升高,导致有机态氮的挥发损失。降低氮素损失和防止有机质的过度分解是提高商品有机肥质量的关键。改进物料预处理,调节C／N比、水分和酸碱度,控制发酵温度和时间,是解决这一问题的有效途径。     

A Storm Water Runoff Model For Open Windrow Composting Sites

Precipitation that falls on compost sites picks up organic material from the windrows and the composting pad. The resulting runoff can contain high levels of nutrients, suspended solids, and organic matter, making it unsuitable for direct release into a receiving water body. Many jurisdictions require that the runoff from these sites be collected in a detention pond. Unfortunately, some of the recommended or required procedures for quantifying the volume of runoff from these sites are based on archaic or inappropriate hydrologic models. The development of better hydrologic models for open composting operations has been hampered by a lack of basic information regarding rainfall/runoff relationships at windrow composting sites. In this paper, a standard hydrologic model — the unit hydrograph method – is used to model the hydrology of a small, paved composting site. The model results compare well with field data collected at the site over a six month period. The volume of runoff predicted by the model was within 5% of the measured runoff volume for each of seventeen runoff events observed at the site over the study period. The results suggest that other industry standard hydrologic models can be adapted for use at open composting sites to account for the presence of large quantities of organic material on the site.     

立式筒仓反应器堆肥技术工艺优化研究

反应器堆肥技术作为一种新型快速堆肥方式逐渐被人们所认可，该技术包括反应器堆肥处理和陈化两个阶段，但反应器堆肥时长和通气方式等工艺参数对堆肥全过程的影响尚不清楚。因此，本研究立足生产中的实际问题，利用12 m³立式堆肥反应器，开展了反应器堆肥工艺优化调控试验，以鸡粪和锯末为原料，分别研究了连续供气和间歇供气（风机开3 min，关7 min）两种供气方式下，反应器处理周期对堆肥有机质降解率、产品含水率、氮素损失和运行成本的影响。研究结果表明：反应器堆肥10 d比2 d的处理物料有机质降解率分别增加60.7%（间歇）和66.2%（连续），产品含水率分别降低41.2%（间歇）和40.7%（连续）。反应器堆肥阶段是物料降解的主要阶段，利用反应器堆肥的时长越长，堆肥产品生产时间越短；但运行成本的增加也对反应器堆肥时长造成了限制，同时增加反应器堆肥时长也会增加堆肥物料的氮素损失，其中连续供气反应器堆肥10 d比2 d氮素损失增加17.5%。连续供气方式可提高堆肥效率，较间歇供气处理堆肥周期平均缩短32.1%，产品全氮含量平均提高7.4%，虽然反应器堆肥阶段每日能耗较间歇供气高20.2%，但堆肥周期的缩短使全程连续供气平均运行成本降低16.5%。其中，连续供气下反应器中处理6 d、8 d和10 d，堆肥产品理化性质无显著差异。综合考虑堆肥效率、产品和经济，本试验建议选择“连续供气方式+反应器内堆肥8 d”处理，既可提高反应器堆肥处理效率，在实际生产中又具有较高的经济效益潜力。     

Carcass Composting for Management of Farm Mortalities: A Review

For the last two decades, carcass disposal by burial is being replaced with alternatives such as composting. Improper animal mortality disposal may generate various environmental and health hazards such as odor nuisance (resulting from the anaerobic breakdown of proteins) that can reduce the quality of life and decrease property values. Pathogens, which may still be present in the decomposed material, are capable of spreading diseases in soil, plants, animals and humans. The potential leaching of harmful nitrogen and sulfur compounds from animal mortalities to ground water is another concern. To control these side effects, compost facility operators need to know and understand the science and guidelines of carcass composting. While basic principles of carcass composting are similar to those for composting of organic materials, its management issues, including appropriate composting methods for large or small scale carcass composting, quantities and types of carbon sources, composting time, odor and leachate control, and equipment requirements differ from composting of organics. The purpose of this study is to review the previous works related to carcass composting and provide information on recent advances in small and large-scale carcass composting enabling higher decomposition rates, minimum usage of carbon source materials, easier and shorter management control strategies and reduced land requirement while producing a useful end product and avoiding negative impact on public safety and environmental parameters.     

Composting Process Optimization – Using On/Off Controls

Despite the commercialization of a variety of different composting systems, the design and operation of composting systems to minimize the cost of producing compost remains a major goal. Evaluation of how system design and management affects the time required to stabilize compost is critical to optimizing the process. In this study, analytical equations relating biological and physical factors and compost temperature, moisture, oxygen level and decomposition rates for aerobic composting are developed. The study focused on the effects of intermittent aeration on the composting operation. A multi-parameter kinetic model in conjunction with heat and mass balance equations were used to predict and optimize the performance of composting systems. Equations evaluating airflow and on/off fan cycle times on composting temperature, oxygen and moisture were developed. Kinetic data from pilot scale experiments using three different feedstocks: municipal solid waste, biosolids/woodchips, and grass/leaves/brush were used in the derived equations to evaluate the composting systems operation.