Implementation of a new composting technology, serial self-turning reactor system, for municipal solid waste management in a small community in Thailand

Abstract

“Serial Self-turning Reactors” (STR) is an innovative technology, which was developed to be an alternative organicwaste treatment for small communities in Thailand. It is a vertical-flow composting system which consists of a set of aerobicreactors sandwiched with a set of self-turning units. Combination of those components results to a high performance compostingwith capacity flexible. The pilot-scaled prototype of the new technology has been tested to ensure its effectiveness.This paper focuses on the implementation of STR technology. The study consisted of four parts: 1) selection of a targetcommunity and investigation of its current MSW practice, 2) preparation of a proposal which STR incorporated would andsubmit to the university’s administration for approval, 3) establishment of a demonstration plant and trial on actual practice,and 4) discussion and evaluation of the new technology in general and economical aspects. Thammasat University Rangsitcampus was selected to be the target community to approach the new technology. An improvement program, namely“Recycling and Composting Pretreatment Program” (RCPP) was proposed and implemented. Trial operation on plant-scaleperformed effectively with low running costs. An economic evaluation of STR was carried out to generalize the system.

Keywords

• municipal solid waste management
• composting technology
• serial self-turning reactor
• implementation program