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BIO-COMPOSTING
PROCESS
Bio-composting
Primary treatment or
Secondary treatment after anaerobic digestion or
Reaction
Organic matter + O₂ → Compost + CO₂ + H2O + Nutrients + Humus +
Heat
Table 1: General characteristics of raw spent wash
Sr. No. Parameter Batch process Cascade process Biostil process
1 Volume, L/L Alcohol 14-16 10-12 8-10
2 Colour Dark brown Dark brown Dark brown
3 PH 3.7-4.5 4.0-4.3 4.0-4.2
4 COD 80,000-1,10,000 1,10,000-1,30,000 1,40,000-1,60,000
5 BOD 45,000-50,000 55,000-65,000 60,000-70,000
6 Solid
Total 90,000-1,20,000 1,30,000-1,60,000 1,60,000-2,10,000
Total Volatile 60,000-70,000 60,000-75,000 80,000-90,000
Inorganic dissolved 30,000-40,000 35,000-45,000 60,000-90,000
7 Chlorides 5,000-6,000 6,000-7,500 10,000-12,000
8 Sulphates 4,000-8,000 4,500-8,500 8,000-10,000
9 Total nitrogen 1,000-1,200 1,000-1,400 2,000-2,500
10 Potassium 8,000-12,000 10,000-14,000 20,000-22,000
11 Phosphorus 200-300 300-500 1,600-2,000
12 Sodium 400-600 1,400-1,500 1,200-1,500
13 Calcium 2,000-3,500 4,500-6,000 5,000-6,500
1] Zero Pollution.
2] Compost product enriches the soil.
3] No odour or fly nuisance.
4] Product: Free from any repulsive odour.
5] High product value - quick payback.
6] Dry product, easy to handle & transport.
7] Process restores the ecological balances
Types of bio-composting
Brick on - edge.
PCC- Plain Cement Concrete (1:3:6 or 1:2:4).
Interlocking concrete paving blocks.
State CPCB has accepted only PCC For preparation of
compost yard.
1] Trichurus spiralis
2] Trichoderma viride
3] Actinomycetes stryptomyces spp.
4] Aspergillus niger
5] Aspergillus awamori
6] Bacillus subtilis
…. Contd.
7] Bacillus polymyxa
8] Bacillus megaterium
9] Psudomonas striata
10] Penicillium digitatum
11] Penicillium chrysogenum
12] Paecillomyces fusisporus
13] Chaetomonium abuense
1 Psycrophilic 0 – 15
2 Mesophilic 15 – 45
3 Thermophilic 45 – 90
Phases of Composting
1. Mesophilic or moderate temperature phase
Last for a few days.
Mesophilic bacteria & fungi proliferates: degrade nutrients –
raising temperature 45ºC , activities cease – vegetative cells
& hyphae die and eventually lyes – only heat resistant
spores survive.
2. Thermophilic or high temperature phase
Last up to few weeks
Lag period – more or less steep rise of temperature
Development of : bacterial species, actinomycetes & fungi
Optimum temperature : 50 - 65ºC
Activities terminate : 70 – 80ºC
3. Stationary period
Without significant changes of temperature : microbial heat
production & heat dissipation balance.
4.Cooling and Maturation phase
Gradual temperature decline.
Maturation phase.
1. Oxygen
5% oxygen.
Less oxygen : Cause anaerobic condition / odour problem.
2. Moisture content :
Optimum moisture : 50 – 60 %.
Less : microbial action decreases.
More : inhibits airflow.
Excess moisture : limiting oxygen transport.
Too little oxygen : unpleasant odours.
40 – 45 % moisture : slow decomposition.
Minimum moisture : 50-55% - high rate composting.
Additional effluent : keep moisture 50 to 65 %.
3.pH
4.Temperature
Heat: byproduct of microbial breakdown of organic material.
Rapid decomposition: 60-70 ºc.
Above 60-70 ºc: microbes die off.
Below 60-70 ºc: microbial activity slows down.
Optimum range: compost turning-high quality compost.
5. Particle size
Larger total surface area : increase degradation rate.
Particles must be small in size – too small particles :
inhibit airflow.
Organic Carbon
20 - 25 %
Organic matter 38 - 42 %
pH 6.85