Abstract:
Compo sting is generally achieved by converting solid waste into stable humus like
materials via biodegradation of putrescible organic .materials generally in presence
of oxygen. The microorganisms involved in solid waste composting include
facultative and strict aerobic bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes. The end product, the
compost, can be used as soil conditioner. It can divert a significant portion of
organic waste from municipal collection services and from final disposal site, and
therefore, enhances both economic and environmental sustainability of waste
management system.
In this work, barrel type composting was carried out to identify the proper range of
operating conditions for thermophilic composting of domestic solid waste consisting
of moisture content, temperature and time. A perforated pipe is inserted in the
barrels to make the digestion process aerobic. Then the various environmental
parameters of composting are observed during the aerobic digestion processes to
assess the parameters. Hence, the effects of operating conditions on thermophilic
composting of domestic waste be determined and compared with the information
from literature survey. Thereafter, an empirical model of thermophilic composting
also be derived by fitting in experimental data. The regression values of different
parametric studies are determined using a software SPSS for Windows 10.0.5 and
analyzed statistically to fit the empirical model. Furthermore the derived model is
confirmed by F-test. The empirical model developed, can be effectively used to
predict and assess thc operating conditions for thermophilic composting of domestic
waste in a natural environment for designing a composting plant.
