Composting

 Biological transformation of biodegradable waste

into water, carbon dioxide, energy and a composed
matter
 Helps to reduce the volume of waste destined for
landfill or incineration
 Composting product that can be used for soil
amendment, improve soil nutrients, reduces erosion
and help suppress plant diseases
 Organic fraction of most MSW can be considered to
be composed of protein, amino acids, lipids,
carbohydrate, cellulose, lignin and ash
 These organic material undergoes aerobic microbial
decomposition and produce a humus material
known as compost
 Objective of composting
 To transform the biodegrability organic materials into a
biologically stable material, and in the process reduce the
original volume of waste
 To destroy pathogens, insect eggs, and other unwanted
organisms and weed seeds that may be present in MSW
 To retain the maximum nutrient (nitrogen, phosphorus and
potassium) content
 To produce a product that can be used to support plant growth
and as a soil amendment
 Properties

 A brown to very dark brown color

 A low carbon-nitrogen ratio
 A continually changing nature due to the activities of
microorganisms
 A high capacity for cation exchange and water
absorption
 Step

Decomposition Preparation and

Pre-processing of the organic marketing of
of MSW fraction of the the final
MSW product
 Pre-processing of MSW

 Receiving MSW
 Removal of recoverable material
 Size reduction
 Adjustment of the waste properties such as carbon-
nitrogen ratio, addition of moisture and nutrients
 Degree of preprocessing depends on the specific
composting process employed and the specification
for the final compost product
 Decomposition of the organic fraction of the
MSW

 Windrow
 Prepared MSW is placed in windrows in an open field

 Windrows are turned once or twice per week for composting

period of 4 to 5 weeks
 Biodegradable portion of the organic fraction of MSW is
decomposed by a variety of microorganisms, which utilize the
organic matter as a carbon (food source)
 Static pile
 In-vessel composting
 Preparation and marketing of the final
product

 Fine grinding
 Screening
 Air classification
 Blending with various additive
 Granulation
 Bagging
 Storage
 Shipping
 Facility design

 Process variables
 Particle size – smaller particle size is encouraged to increase surface
area for microbial activity. But if too small will reduce void size and
oxygen viability for aerobic condition. Ideal size 1.25 – 7.5 cm
 Particle size distribution of the material to be composted
 Seeding and mixing requirements
 Required mixing/turning schedule
 Total oxygen requirement
 Moisture content – required by microorganisms to assimilate
nutrients and increase colony size. 40 – 65%
 Temperature and pH control
 Carbon-nitrogen ratio of the waste to be composted
 Respiratory quotient (RQ)
 Control of pathogen
 Facility design

 Factors to consider in designing of composting

facilities
 Types of waste
 System selected
 Environmental issues
 Cost of implementation
 Techniques

 Agitated method
 Material to be composted is agitated periodically
 introduce oxygen
 to control the temperature
 to mix the material the material to obtain a more uniform product

 Static method
 Compost piles are laid (remain static) on perforated pipes

 The air is blown through the composting material

 Covered by a layer of screened compost for insulation and odor

control
 Windrow composting

 Oldest method
 Constructed by forming the organic material to be
composted into windrows 8 to 10 ft high by 20 to 25
feet wide at the base
 Organic material is processed by shredding and
screening it to approximately 1 to 3 in
 Moisture content is adjusted to 50 to 60 %
 High rate systems are turned up to twice per week
 Temperature is maintained at or slightly above 55°C
 Windrow composting

 Turning of the windrow is often accompanied by the

release of offensive odors
 Accomplished in 3 to 4 weeks
 The compost is allowed to cure for another 3 to 4
weeks without turning
 Residual decomposable organic materials are
reduced by fungi
 Aerated Static Pile Composting

 Also known as Beltsville or ARS process

 Developed for aerobic composting of wastewater
sludge
 Compost a wide variety of organic waste including
yard waste or separated MSW
 Material is composted for 3 to 4 weeks
 Then it is cured for 4 weeks and longer
 To improve quality – cured compost are shred and
screen
 Aerated Static Pile Composting

 To improve process and odor control – all or

significant portion of the system in newer facilities
are covered or enclosed
 In vessel Composting System

 Accomplished inside an enclosed container or vessel

 Plug flow
 Relationship between particles in the composting mass stays
the same
 First –in first-out principle

 Dynamic system
 Composting material is mixed mechanically during the process
 In vessel Composting System

 Mechanical system are designed to minimize odors

and process time by controlling environmental
conditions such as air flow, temperature and oxygen
concentration
 Advantageous
 Process and odor control
 Faster throughput
 Lower labor cost
 Smaller area requirements
 Appication

 Yard waste
 Grass, leaves, small trees branches

 Organic fraction of MSW

 Food waste, thin plastic, papers

 Partially processed commingled MSW

 Waste which are not separated before arriving at the
processing site
 Co-composting of the organic fraction of MSW with
wastewater sludge