Effect of passive and forced aeration on composting of market solid waste

Abstract

The book chapter discusses the effect of passive and forced aeration on composting of market solid wastes. Suitable vegetable waste, waste paper, and sawdust as bulking agent were mixed with the proportion 75:10:15. Temperature inside composting reactors was measured daily from time to time. Total sample and volatile solids weight were determined before and after composting of waste mixture for both passive and forced aeration tests. The temperature increased to a maximum of 52 ºC for passive aeration and 54 ºC for forced aeration. The percentage reduction in the total sample was greater for forced aeration than for passive aeration. The volatile solids decreased with time at the end of both processes. The extent of volatile solids degradation of waste mixture with time was determined through forced aeration for a series of the composting process. Total sample and volatile solids were determined at 2 to 4 days intervals. The percentage reductions in the total sample and volatile solids were found as 3 to 68% and 4 to 55% respectively. The percentage reduction in volatile solids increased with time. The chapter helps to understand the possibility of recycling the waste mixture in the form of composting.