Estimation of Compost Stability During Rotary Drum Composting of Municipal Solid Waste

Abstract

Studies are conducted to evaluate the stability of compost prepared by three combinations (C/N 16, 22 and 30) of grass cutting, mix vegetable waste, cattle dung, food waste, paper waste and saw waste in a rotary drum composter. Variations in key stability parameters were observed to assess the stability of compost. The decrease in CO2 evolution rates for the C/N 16, 22 and 30 strongly recommended the viability of rotary drum for all kind of municipal organic waste with different C/N ratios. Results indicated the compost of C/N 22 with lower final Oxygen Uptake Rate (OUR), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) can be considered as the very mature compost with a Solvita® maturity index of 8 and were ready for usage as a soil conditioner. Therefore, it can be suggested that rotary drum composting of mixed organic waste at initial C/N ratio of 22 can produce stable compost within 20 days of composting.

Keywords

• Waste management technologies
• Stability
• Rotary drum
• Oxygen uptake rate
• CO2 evolution