Assessment of the effect of particle size and selected physico-chemical and biological parameters on the efficiency and quality of composting of garden waste. Issue 3 (June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mishra, Sandeep Kumar; Yadav, Kunwar D.
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental chemical engineering. Volume 10:Issue 3(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-06
• Subjects: Aerobic composting -- Garden waste -- Lignocellulose biomass -- Particle size -- Rotary drums; Chemical engineering -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental engineering -- Periodicals; Chemical engineering -- Environmental aspects; Environmental engineering; Periodicals; 660.0286
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2022.107925
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2213-2929

Abstract

Abstract: The study is aimed at investigating how particle size effects selected physicochemical and biological parameters such as temperature, moisture, total volatile solids lignin degradation, coliform reduction, germination index, and carbon dioxide evolution during the composting of garden waste. The garden waste was shredded using a shredder into different particle size namely R1 (0.5–1.5 cm), R2 (1.5–3.0 cm), R3 (3.0–4.5 cm) and R4 (4.5–7.5 cm). The feedstock was fed into rotary drums for 45 days composting period. The temperature rose to the thermophilic phase within 48 h in all the drums and continued for R1 (7 days), R2 (8 days), R3 (4 days), and R4 (3 days). Moisture content reduction observed was R1 (23.37%), R2 (22.86%), R3 (21.84%) and R4 (20.8%). Total volatile solids reduction was 29.24%, 31.16%, 24.36%, and 16.70%, CO2 evolution rate was 4.92, 4.14, 6.18 and 8.16 mg/gVS/d, C/N ratio was 16.91, 15.05, 18.13 and 20.99, germination index was 92.00, 94.12, 85.21, and 81.20 in R1, R2, R3, and R4 reactor respectively after end of the composting period. The reduction of hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin was highest in the R2 drum and lowest in R4. The percentage reduction of coliforms was also found to be highest in R2. As per the analytical hierarchy process, the performance of reactors was observed in the following trend, R2 >R1 >R3 >R4. Particle size range 1.5–3.0 cm diameter showed optimum size for efficient composting of garden waste Graphical Abstract: ga1 Highlights: Garden waste shredded in particle size 0.5–1.5, 1.5–3, 3–4.5 & 4.5–7.5 cm diameter. The 1.5–3.0 cm particle size is best for degradation of lignocellulose compound. Cow-dung and compost combination mix boosted lignin degradation. Size of particle is playing a critical role on compost maturity, time and quality. AHP method helped in selection of most effective particle size for rapid degradation.