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This digital document is a journal article from Bioresource Technology, published by Elsevier in 2007. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Media Library immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

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Fulvic acids (FAs) were isolated by a conventional procedure from two mixtures of the sludge residue obtained from olive oil mill wastewater (OMW) evaporated in open-air pond and tree cuttings (TC) at different stages of the co-composting process. The FAs were analyzed for elemental (C, H, N, S, O) and acidic functional group (carboxylic and phenolic) composition, and by ultraviolet/visible, Fourier transform infrared and fluorescence spectroscopies. At the initial stage of composting, FAs from the OMW sludge-TC mixtures were characterized by a prevalent aliphatic character, large contents of C, S-containing groups, proteinaceous materials and polysaccharide components, extended molecular heterogeneity, small O and acidic functional group contents, and small degrees of aromatic ring polycondensation, polymerization and humification. As composting proceeded, C, H and S contents, C/N ratio, and aliphaticity decreased, whereas N, O, COOH and phenolic OH contents, C/H and O/C ratios, and aromaticity increased. These results suggested that, with increasing the composting time, the chemical and structural properties of the FA components of the two OMW sludge-TC mixtures approached the characteristics typical of native soil FAs. Thus, co-composting of OMW sludge mixed with TC may represent a suitable treatment for enhancing the quality of organic matter in these materials when used as soil amendments. ... Read more

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This digital document is a journal article from Waste Management, published by Elsevier in 2005. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Media Library immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

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This paper reviews previously published heat balance data for experimental and full-scale composting reactors, and then presents an evaluation of the simulation performance of laboratory and pilot-scale reactors, using both quantitative and qualitative temperature profile characteristics. The review indicates that laboratory-scale reactors have typically demonstrated markedly different heat balance behaviour in comparison to full-scale systems, with ventilative heat losses of 36-67%, and 70-95% of the total flux, respectively. Similarly, conductive/convective/radiative (CCR) heat losses from laboratory reactors have been reported at 33-62% of the total flux, whereas CCR losses from full-scale composting systems have ranged from 3% to 15% of the total. Full-scale windrow temperature-time profiles from the literature were characterised by the present authors. Areas bounded by the curve and a 40^oC baseline (A"4"0) exceeded 624^oC. days, areas bounded by the curve and a 55^oC baseline (A"5"5) exceeded 60^oCdays, and times at 40 and 55^oC were >46 days and >24 days, respectively, over periods of 50-74 days. For forced aeration systems at full scale, values of A"4"0 exceeded 224^oCdays, values of A"5"5 exceeded 26^oCdays, and times at 40 and 55^oC were >14 days and >10 days, respectively, over periods of 15-35 days. Values of these four parameters for laboratory-scale reactors were typically considerably lower than for the full-scale systems, although temperature shape characteristics were often similar to those in full-scale profiles. Evaluation of laboratory-, pilot- and full-scale profiles from systems treating the same substrate showed that a laboratory-scale reactor and two pilot-scale reactors operated at comparatively high aeration rates poorly simulated full-scale temperature profiles. However, the curves from two moderately insulated, self-heating, pilot-scale reactors operated at relatively low aeration rates appeared to closely replicate full-scale temperature profiles. The importance of controlling aeration rates and CCR losses is discussed and further work suggested in order to investigate the links between simulation of the composting environment and process performance. ... Read more

Product Description
This digital document is a journal article from Waste Management, published by Elsevier in 2005. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Media Library immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

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In this paper, laboratory- and pilot-scale reactors used for investigation of the composting process are described and their characteristics and application reviewed. Reactor types were categorised by the present authors as fixed-temperature, self-heating, controlled temperature difference and controlled heat flux, depending upon the means of management of heat flux through vessel walls. The review indicated that fixed-temperature reactors have significant applications in studying reaction rates and other phenomena, but may self-heat to higher temperatures during the process. Self-heating laboratory-scale reactors, although inexpensive and uncomplicated, were shown to typically suffer from disproportionately large losses through the walls, even with substantial insulation present. At pilot scale, however, even moderately insulated self-heating reactors are able to reproduce wall losses similar to those reported for full-scale systems, and a simple technique for estimation of insulation requirements for self-heating reactors is presented. In contrast, controlled temperature difference and controlled heat flux laboratory reactors can provide spatial temperature differentials similar to those in full-scale systems, and can simulate full-scale wall losses. Surface area to volume ratios, a significant factor in terms of heat loss through vessel walls, were estimated by the present authors at 5.0-88.0m^2/m^3 for experimental composting reactors and 0.4-3.8m^2/m^3 for full-scale systems. Non-thermodynamic factors such as compression, sidewall airflow effects, channelling and mixing may affect simulation performance and are discussed. Further work to investigate wall effects in composting reactors, to obtain more data on horizontal temperature profiles and rates of biological heat production, to incorporate compressive effects into experimental reactors and to investigate experimental systems employing natural ventilation is suggested. ... Read more

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This digital document is an article from OnEarth, published by Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. on March 22, 2003. The length of the article is 836 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Compost this magazine! (Living Green).(composting techniques)
Author: Jason Best
Publication: OnEarth (Magazine/Journal)
Date: March 22, 2003
Publisher: Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc.
Volume: 25Issue: 1Page: 12(2)

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more

Product Description
Ever need a fact or quotation on composting? Designed for speechwriters, journalists, writers, researchers, students, professors, teachers, historians, academics, scrapbookers, trivia buffs and word lovers, this is the largest book ever created for this single word. It represents a compilation from a variety of sources with a linguistic emphasis on anything relating to the term "composting," including non-conventional usage and alternative meanings which capture ambiguities. The entries cover all parts of speech (noun, verb, adverb or adjective usage) as well as use in modern slang, pop culture, social sciences (linguistics, history, geography, economics, sociology, political science), business, computer science, literature, law, medicine, psychology, mathematics, chemistry, physics, biology and other physical sciences. This "data dump" results in many unexpected examples for composting, since the editorial decision to include or exclude terms is purely a linguistic process. The resulting entries are used under license or with permission, used under "fair use" conditions, used in agreement with the original authors, or are in the public domain. Proceeds from this book are used to expand the content and coverage of Webster's Online Dictionary (www.websters-online-dictionary.org). ... Read more

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An introduction to creating compost, originally published in the U.S and revised for the British edition, which provides information on the different types of composting bins available, with recipes for various types of effective compost. ... Read more

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Composting is the aerobic decomposition of biodegradable organic matter, producing compost. Compost products can be used as a high quality and hygienically safe fertiliser. Composting can be divided into home composting and industrial composting. Essentially the same biological processes are involved in both scales of composting, however techniques and different factors must be taken into account. This new book provides a short historic survey of composting which has been performed since the beginning of agriculture and horticulture as it can be operated with marginal technical equipment. This book also presents new methodologies including the use of earthworms in agroecosystems and ways to address problems that occur in a composting reactor that can be solved by a better understanding of the microbial community. ... Read more

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A guide to the technologies involved in composting sludge from municipal waste facilities, including case studies from small municipalities and metropolitan areas. ... Read more

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Composting is increasingly used as a recycling technology for organic wastes. Knowledge on the composition and activities of compost microbial communities has so far been based on traditional methods. New molecular and physiological tools now offer new insights into the "black box" of decaying material. An unforeseen diversity of microorganisms are involved in composting, opening up an enormous potential for future process and product improvements. In this book, the views of scientists, engineers and end-users on compost production, process optimisation, standardisation and product application are presented. ... Read more