Effects ofWaste Lime Sludge on Nitrogen Dynamics and Stability ofMixed Organic waste UsingRotary DrumComposter

Document Type : Original Research Paper

Authors

Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of TechnologyGuwahati, India

Abstract

Feasibility of waste lime sludge (LS) obtained from acetylene gas production industry was
studied during co-composting of vegetable waste for enhanced volatile solids reduction. Four different trials
were carried out with varying percentage of LS combinations i.e. trial 1, trial 2, trial 3 and trial 4. Increased
addition of waste LS raised the levels of pH in the compost, thereby volatizing the nitrogen as ammonia in trial
3 and 4. However, appropriate addition of LS in trial 2 increased the microbial activity and resulted in higher
volatile solids reduction (22.1%) which was found double fold increase when compared to trial 1, where 11%
VS reduction was observed. Hence, with proper combination of waste materials and addition of LS, a maximum
temperature of 66.5 and 61.4o C was observed in trial 1 and 2 respectively. Temperature level above 50o C for
more than 4 to 7 days was observed during the process, thus satisfying the regulatory requirements for PFRP
(Process to Further Reduce Pathogens). Therefore, the present study concluded that appropriate amount of
LS addition increased the organic matter reduction drastically. However in trial 3 and 4, where 2 and 3%
addition of LS were not appreciable in terms of proper degradation and stability at the end of composting
period.

Keywords

International Journal of Environmental Research
Volume 9, Issue 1 - Serial Number 1
January 2015
Pages 395-404

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