Ajay S. Kalamdhad

Rotary drum composting of vegetable waste and tree leaves

High rate composting studies on institutional waste, i.e. vegetable wastes, tree leaves, etc., were conducted on a demonstration-scale (3.5 m(3)) rotary drum composter by evaluating changes in some physico-chemical and biological parameters. During composting, higher temperature (60-70 degrees C) at inlet zone and (50-60 degrees C) at middle zone were achieved which resulted in high degradation in the drum. As a result, all parameters including TOC, C/N ratio, CO(2) evolution and coliforms were decreased significantly within few days of composting. Within a week period, quality compost with total nitrogen (2.6%) and final total phosphorus (6 g/kg) was achieved; but relatively higher final values of fecal coliforms and CO(2) evolution, suggested further maturation. Thus, two conventional composting methods namely windrow (M1) and vermicomposting (M2) tried for maturation of primary stabilized compost. By examining these methods, it was suggested that M2 was found suitable in delivering fine grained, better quality matured compost within 20 days of maturation period.

Concentration and speciation of heavy metals during water hyacinth composting.

The Tessier sequential extraction method was employed to investigate the changes in heavy metals speciation (Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, Pb, Ni, Cd and Cr) during water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) composting. Results showed that, the contents of total metals concentration were increased during the composting process. The largest proportion of metals was found in the residual fraction which was in more stable form and is consequently considered unavailable for plant uptake. Reducible and oxidizable fractions of Ni, Pb and Cd were not found in all trials during water hyacinth composting. The concentrations of Cu and Cd were very low comparative to the other metals, but the percentage of exchangeable and carbonate fractions were similar as other metals. From this study it can be concluded that the appropriate proportion of cattle manure addition (Trial 4) significantly reduced the mobile and easily available fractions (exchangeable and carbonate fractions) during the composting process.

Effects of turning frequency on compost stability and some chemical characteristics in a rotary drum composter

Effect of turning frequency on quality, namely some chemical characteristics (temperature, moisture content, pH, electrical conductivity, total organic matter, nitrogen dynamics, phosphorus and trace elements) and stability of compost (biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, rate of oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide evolution) in a rotary drum were studied. Composting was stimulated by three turns of rotary drum at different time intervals i.e. at the gap of 6h (Run A), 12h (Run B), 18 h (Run C) and 24h (Run D) for 15 d. It was observed that Run D (24h turning frequency) caused longer thermophilic phase (4d) with a higher rise at temperature 58 degrees C; consequently, peak of maximum temperature was shifted along with the increase of turning frequency. Around 23% of available carbon in Run D was utilized by micro-organisms and contained lower final electrical conductivity (1.32 dS m(-1)) possibly causing lesser phytotoxicity effects on the growth of plants. The percentage increase in total nitrogen and total phosphorus (organic and inorganic) in Run D was found to be 45% and 37% as compared to 7% and 17%, 6% and 32% and 18% and 30% in Run A, B, and C, respectively, indicating higher mineralization. The final values of respiration rates (CO(2) evolution and oxygen uptake rate) for Run D was found to be the lowest, nevertheless, other runs also provided relatively stable compost.

Effects of lime on bioavailability and leachability of heavy metals during agitated pile composting of water hyacinth.

In the present study composting of water hyacinth was done with cattle manure and saw dust (6:3:1) ratio and effects of addition of lime (1%, 2% and 3%) on heavy metal bioavailability and leachability was evaluated during 30 days of composting period. The changes in temperature, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter and extractable heavy metal contents were measured. Results showed that the total concentration of heavy metals was increased during the composting process. Due to addition of lime initial pH of the compost was raised effectively, caused a decrease in water soluble, diethylene triamine pentracetic acid (DTPA) and toxicity characteristics leaching procedure (TCLP) extractable metal contents in the final compost. Water soluble metals (Ni, Pb and Cd) and DTPA extractable metals (Pb and Cd) were not detected during water soluble fraction. Addition of lime significantly reduced the bioavailability and leachability of heavy metals during water hyacinth composting process.

Mixed organic waste composting using rotary drum composter

A combination of vegetable waste, cattle manure and saw dust was utilised for high rate composting in a household rotary drum composter. It was found that temperature remained above 55?C for a period of two days, Faecal Coliforms and Faecal Streptococci decrease from 7.5 ? 108 to 5 ? 102 and 1.5 ? 107 to 5 ? 103 bacteria/g, respectively. Negligible VFAs production indicated full aerobic conditions. Nitrification occurred after sixth day i.e., when temperature dropped below 40?C. BOD/COD ratio decreased up to 12 days and remained stable thereafter, indicating the stability of compost in terms of biodegradation.

Effect of different livestock dungs as inoculum on food waste anaerobic digestion and its kinetics.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different livestock inoculums on the anaerobic digestion of food waste (FW). Five different livestock dungs i.e., poultry dung (PD), goat dung (GD), cow dung (CD), piggery dung (PGD) and rhinoceros dung (RD) were utilized as inoculums and their effects were valued in various food to microorganism (F/M) ratios in batch reactors. Different livestock dungs achieved higher methane production and volatile solids (VS) reduction in different F/M ratios such as PD, GD, CD, PGD and RD achieved at F/M ratio maintained at 1.5, 2, 2, 1.5 and 1.5, respectively. The results indicated that CD and PGD inoculum were more suitable for the anaerobic digestion of FW than other livestock dungs. Reactors inoculated with CD achieved higher methane production (227mLg(-1)VS degraded) and volatile solids degradation (54.58%) at F/M ratio maintained at 2.

Estimation and allocation of solid waste to bin through geographical information systems

This study presents a geographical information system (GIS)-based procedure for the precise estimation of solid waste generation, computed using the local population density and income group distribution. Using a triangulated irregular network (TIN) in a GIS environment, the procedure further determines the command area for waste allocation to a particular bin which is generally located so the route slopes towards the collection points for ease of transportation by cart pullers. Computational results of bin location, type, size and the frequency of removal are presented for a typical urban area with known population density, income group distribution, road network and topology.

Rotary drum composting of different organic waste mixtures

The effects of three different mixtures of organic waste on composting in a rotary drum were examined by measuring changes in physico-chemical and biological parameters. It was observed that the time courses of the three mixtures: run A (grass cuttings, vegetable waste and food waste), run B (cattle manure, vegetable waste and sawdust) and run C (cattle manure, food waste, vegetable waste, paper waste and sawdust) were quite diverse. Run B, with initial C/N ratio 22 and containing a large proportion of cattle manure produced high quality and mature compost within 20 days. It showed a final total nitrogen (2.1%), final total phosphorus 3.52 g kg—1, final total organic carbon (TOC) (24.8%) and final moisture content (44%). At the end of 20 days, higher degradation led to final chemical oxygen demand (COD) (454 mg L— 1), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) (107 mg L— 1), fecal coliform (1.2 × 102 bacteria g— 1), fecal streptococci (85 bacteria g—1) and low electrical conductivity (1.658 dS m—1), respectively. Furthermore, run C with initial C/N ratio of 30 and containing a larger amount of food and vegetable waste produced good quality compost and resulted in 4.34% total nitrogen and 2.42% total phosphorus after 20 days, but, it had higher final fecal coliform 2.5 × 104 bacteria g —1, fecal streptococci 2.1 × 104 bacteria g—1, high TOC and NH4-N and a BOD/COD ratio of 0.63, which rendered it hygienically unsafe and immature. Finally, run A with initial C/N ratio of 15 showed a higher amount of EC (4.84 dS m—1), NH4-N, BOD/COD ratio of 0.4 with 15% nitrogen loss, which indicated an unstable product even after 20 days of composting. Therefore, it was found that rotary drum composting of a combination of cattle manure, vegetable waste and sawdust resulted in a primary stabilized compost within 20 days of composting.

Reduction of bioavailability and leachability of heavy metals during vermicomposting of water hyacinth.

Vermicomposting of water hyacinth is a good alternative for the treatment of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and subsequentially, beneficial for agriculture purposes. The bioavailability and leachability of heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, Ni, Pb, Cd, and Cr) were evaluated during vermicomposting of E. crassipes employing Eisenia fetida earthworm. Five different proportions (trials 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5) of cattle manure, water hyacinth, and sawdust were prepared for the vermicomposting process. Results show that very poor biomass growth of earthworms was observed in the highest proportion of water hyacinth (trial 1). The water soluble, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) extractable, and leachable heavy metals concentration (percentage of total heavy metals) were reduced significantly in all trials except trial 1. The total concentration of some metals was low but its water soluble and DTPA extractable fractions were similar or more than other metals which were present in higher concentration. This study revealed that the toxicity of metals depends on bioavailable fraction rather than total metal concentration. Bioavailable fraction of metals may be toxic for plants and soil microorganisms. The vermicomposting of water hyacinth by E. fetida was very effective for reduction of bioavailability and leachability of selected heavy metals. Leachability test confirmed that prepared vermicompost is not hazardous for soil, plants, and human health. The feasibility of earthworms to mitigate the metal toxicity and to enhance the nutrient profile in water hyacinth vermicompost might be useful in sustainable land renovation practices at low-input basis.

Bioavailability and leachability of heavy metals during water hyacinth composting

Abstract The bioavailability and leachability of heavy metals is important role when considering their toxicity during composting following land application. Therefore, studies were carried out on Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, Ni, Pb, Cd and Cr during 30 days agitated-pile composting of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes). This study investigated the influence of parameters such as pH, temperature and organic matter content on the distribution of heavy metal bioavailability and leachability during composting of water hyacinth. Results showed that the contents of total metal concentration increased during the composting process. The bioavailability of heavy metals was investigated in the form of water soluble and diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) extractable. In the water soluble, DTPA and leachable Zn, Cu, Mn, Ni and Cr reduced but there was a gradual increase in the Fe concentration during the composting process. Furthermore, in water soluble and leachable Ni, Cd and Pb were not detected and in DTPA extractable Cd and Pb were also not detected during 30 days of composting.