Simulation of substrate degradation in composting of sewage sludge

To simulate the substrate degradation kinetics of the composting process, this paper develops a mathematical model with a first-order reaction assumption and heat/mass balance equations. A pilot-scale composting test with a mixture of sewage sludge and wheat straw was conducted in an insulated reactor. The BVS (biodegradable volatile solids) degradation process, matrix mass, MC (moisture content), DM (dry matter) and VS (volatile solid) were simulated numerically by the model and experimental data. The numerical simulation offered a method for simulating k (the first-order rate constant) and estimating k₂₀ (the first-order rate constant at 20 °C). After comparison with experimental values, the relative error of the simulation value of the mass of the compost at maturity was 0.22%, MC 2.9%, DM 4.9% and VS 5.2%, which mean that the simulation is a good fit. The k of sewage sludge was simulated, and k₂₀, k_20s (first-order rate coefficient of slow fraction of BVS at 20 °C) of the sewage sludge were estimated as 0.082 and 0.015 d^?1, respectively.     

Tar-free fuel gas production from high temperature pyrolysis of sewage sludge

Pyrolysis of sewage sludge was studied in a free-fall reactor at 1000–1400 °C. The results showed that the volatile matter in the sludge could be completely released to gaseous product at 1300 °C. The high temperature was in favor of H₂ and CO in the produced gas. However, the low heating value (LHV) of the gas decreased from 15.68 MJ/N m³ to 9.10 MJ/N m³ with temperature increasing from 1000 °C to 1400 °C. The obtained residual solid was characterized by high ash content. The energy balance indicated that the most heating value in the sludge was in the gaseous product.     

Composting kinetics in full-scale mechanical–biological treatment plants

This study focuses on the investigation of the kinetics of municipal solid waste composting in three full-scale mechanical–biological treatment (MBT) plants. The aims were to test a kinetic model based on volatile solids (VS) content change for describing the composting process in MBT plants, and to identify the model parameters that affected the estimation of the reaction rate constant most. To achieve this, VS content and several environmental conditions, namely temperature, moisture content, oxygen concentration and total bulk density were monitored throughout the composting process. Experimental data was fitted with a first-order kinetic model, and a rate constant (k) characteristic of composting under optimum environmental conditions was obtained. The kinetic model satisfactorily described the experimental data for the three MBT plants. k values ranged from 0.043 ± 0.002 d^?1 to 0.082 ± 0.011 d^?1. Sensitivity analysis showed that the model parameters that most affected the estimation of k were the initial biodegradable volatile solids content, the maximum temperature for biodegradation and the optimum moisture content. In conclusion, we show for the first time that full-scale MBT plants can be successfully modelled with a composting kinetic model.     

A comparative study of two composts as filter media for the removal of gaseous reduced sulfur compounds (RSCs) by biofiltration: Application at industrial scale

This work presents the use of two composts as filter media for the treatment by biofiltration of odors emitted during the aerobic composting of a mixture containing sewage sludge and yard waste. The chemical analysis of the waste gas showed that the malodorous compounds at trace level were the reduced sulfur compounds (RSCs) which were dimethyl sulfide (Me₂S), methanethiol (MeSH) and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S). Laboratory tests for biofiltration treatment of RSCs were performed in order to compare the properties of two filter media, consisted of a mature compost with yard waste (YW) and a mixture of mature compost with sewage sludge and yard waste (SS/YW). The maximum elimination capacity (EC) values obtained with the YW mature compost as packing material were 12.5 mg m^?3 h^?1 for H₂S, 7.9 mg m^?3 h^?1 for MeSH and 34 mg m^?3 h^?1 for Me₂S, and the removal efficiency decreased in the order of: H₂S > MeSH > Me₂S. Moreover, the YW compost filter medium had a better behavior than the filter medium based on SS/YW in terms of acclimation of the microbial communities and moisture content. According to these results, a YW mature compost as packing material for an industrial biofilter were designed and this industrial biofilter was found effective under specified conditions (without inoculation and addition of water). The results showed that the maximum EC value of RSCs was 935 mg m^?3 h^?1 (100% removal efficiency, RE) for an inlet loads (IL) between 0 and 1000 mg m^?3 h^?1. Thus, YW compost medium was proven efficient for biofiltration of RSCs both at laboratory and industrial scale.     

Changes in cadmium mobility during composting and after soil application

The effect of twelve weeks of composting on the mobility and bioavailability of cadmium in six composts containing sewage sludge, wood chips and grass was studied, along with the cadmium immobilization capacity of compost. Two different soils were used and Cd accumulation measured in above-ground oat biomass (Avena sativa L.). Increasing pH appears to be an important cause of the observed decreases in available cadmium through the composting process. A pot experiment was performed with two different amounts of compost (9.6 and 28.8 g per kg of soil) added into Fluvisol with total Cd 0.255 mg kg^?1, and contaminated Cambisol with total Cd 6.16 mg kg^?1. Decrease of extractable Cd (0.01 mol l^?1 CaCl₂) was found in both soils after compost application. The higher amount of compost immobilized an exchangeable portion of Cd (0.11 mol l^?1 CH₃COOH extractable) in contaminated Cambisol unlike in light Fluvisol. The addition of a low amount of compost decreased the content of Cd in associated above-ground oat biomass grown in both soils, while a high amount of compost decreased the Cd content in oats only in the Cambisol.     

Utilization of solar energy in sewage sludge composting: Fertilizer effect and application

Three reactors, ordinary, greenhouse, and solar, were constructed and tested to compare their impacts on the composting of municipal sewage sludge. Greenhouse and solar reactors were designed to evaluate the use of solar energy in sludge composting, including their effects on temperature and compost quality. After 40 days of composting, it was found that the solar reactor could provide more stable heat for the composting process. The average temperature of the solar reactor was higher than that of the other two systems, and only the solar reactor could maintain the temperature above 55 °C for more than 3 days. Composting with the solar reactor resulted in 31.3% decrease in the total organic carbon, increased the germination index to 91%, decreased the total nitrogen loss, and produced a good effect on pot experiments.     

Greenhouse gas emissions from home composting of organic household waste

The emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) is a potential environmental disadvantage of home composting. Because of a lack of reliable GHG emission data, a comprehensive experimental home composting system was set up. The system consisted of six composting units, and a static flux chamber method was used to measure and quantify the GHG emissions for one year composting of organic household waste (OHW). The average OHW input in the six composting units was 2.6–3.5 kg week^?1 and the temperature inside the composting units was in all cases only a few degrees (2–10 °C) higher than the ambient temperature. The emissions of methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) were quantified as 0.4–4.2 kg CH₄ Mg^?1 input wet waste (ww) and 0.30–0.55 kg N₂O Mg^?1 ww, depending on the mixing frequency. This corresponds to emission factors (EFs) (including only CH₄ and N₂O emissions) of 100–239 kg CO₂-eq. Mg^?1 ww. Composting units exposed to weekly mixing had the highest EFs, whereas the units with no mixing during the entire year had the lowest emissions. In addition to the higher emission from the frequently mixed units, there was also an instant release of CH₄ during mixing which was estimated to 8–12% of the total CH₄ emissions. Experiments with higher loads of OHW (up to 20 kg every fortnight) entailed a higher emission and significantly increased overall EFs (in kg substance per Mg^?1 ww). However, the temperature development did not change significantly. The GHG emissions (in kg CO₂-eq. Mg^?1 ww) from home composting of OHW were found to be in the same order of magnitude as for centralised composting plants.     

Temperature and deactivation of microbial faecal indicators during small scale co-composting of faecal matter

Small scale co-composting of faecal matter from dry toilet systems with shredded plant material and food waste was investigated in respect to heat development and deactivation of faecal indicators under tropical semiarid conditions. Open (uncovered) co-composting of faecal matter with shredded plant material alone did not generate temperatures high enough (<55 °C) to reduce the indicators sufficiently. The addition of food waste and confinement in chambers, built of concrete bricks and wooden boards, improved the composting process significantly. Under these conditions peak temperatures of up to 70 °C were achieved and temperatures above 55 °C were maintained over 2 weeks. This temperature and time is sufficient to comply with international composting regulations. The reduction of Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis and Salmonella senftenberg in test containment systems placed in the core of the compost piles was very efficient, exceeding 5 log₁₀-units in all cases, but recolonisation from the cooler outer layers appeared to interfere with the sanitisation efficiency of the substrate itself. The addition of a stabilisation period by extending the composting process to over 4 months ensured that the load of E. coli was reduced to less than 10³ cfu^?g and salmonella were undetectable.     

Analysis of the combustion of sewage sludge-derived fuel by a thermogravimetric method in China

The treatment and disposal of sewage sludge are significant environmental problems in China. The reuse of sewage sludge for fuel could be an effective solution. The aim of this study was to characterize the behavior of sludge-derived fuel during combustion by a thermogravimetric method. The combustion profiles obtained showed four obvious weight loss regions. The results of dynamics analysis showed that first-order reactions together with Arrhenius’ law explained reasonably well the different stages of weight loss in the samples. Three temperature regions (162–327 °C, 367–445 °C, and 559–653 °C for sawdust and 162–286 °C, 343–532 °C, and 609–653 °C for coal) in each derivative thermogravimetry (DTG) curve corresponded well with the Arrhenius equation. The reactivity of sludge was lower than that of samples containing sawdust, but higher than that of coal-containing samples. These data demonstrate that sludge-derived fuel has better combustion characteristics than sludge, sawdust, or coal.     

A new method for evaluating the sewage sludge pyrolysis kinetics

A new method to simplify calculation the kinetics model is applied to sewage sludge pyrolysis based on the assumption that volatile run out as soon as it formed and during temperature arising process in this study. Difference method widely used to solve math problems is conducted to calculate kinetics parameters. Pyrolysis experiments are carried out at heating rates of 10, 15, 20, and 50 °C/min. All the TG curves are divided into three parts which are beginning decomposition temperature range, main decomposition temperature range, and final decomposition temperature range. The second one is employed to determine the parameters for more than 70% of the total mass loss occurs in this range. According to the developed method, the react order, reaction energy and pre-exponential factor are obtained, which are in the range of 3.9–4.1, 82.3–109.2 kJ/mol and 7.7 × 10⁶–2.8 × 10⁹/min, respectively, which are in the range of that reported previously. As a comparison experimental data with calculated data, the well fitting results indicate that this method is appropriate for simulating sludge pyrolysis kinetics.     

Analysis of the combustion and pyrolysis of dried sewage sludge by TGA and MS

In this study, the combustion and pyrolysis processes of three sewage sludge were investigated. The sewage sludge came from three wastewater treatment plants.Proximate and ultimate analyses were performed. The thermal behaviour of studied sewage sludge was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis with mass spectrometry (TGA-MS). The samples were heated from ambient temperature to 800 °C at a constant rate 10 °C/min in air (combustion process) and argon flows (pyrolysis process). The thermal profiles presented in form of TG/DTG curves were comparable for studied sludges. All TG/DTG curves were divided into three stages. The main decomposition of sewage sludge during the combustion process took place in the range 180–580 °C with c.a. 70% mass loss. The pyrolysis process occurred in lower temperature but with less mass loss. The evolved gaseous products (H₂, CH₄, CO₂, H₂O) from the decomposition of sewage sludge were identified on-line.     

Evaluation of laboratory-scale in-vessel co-composting of tobacco and apple waste

Efficient composting process requires set of adequate parameters among which physical–chemical properties of the composting substrate play the key-role. Combining different types of biodegradable solid waste it is possible to obtain a substrate eligible to microorganisms in the composting process. In this work the composting of apple and tobacco solid waste mixture (1:7, dry weight) was explored. The aim of the work was to investigate an efficiency of biodegradation of the given mixture and to characterize incurred raw compost. Composting was conducted in 24 L thermally insulated column reactor at airflow rate of 1.1 L min^?1. During 22 days several parameters were closely monitored: temperature and mass of the substrate, volatile solids content, C/N ratio and pH-value of the mixture and oxygen consumption. The composting of the apple and tobacco waste resulted with high degradation of the volatile solids (53.1%). During the experiment 1.76 kg of oxygen was consumed and the C/N ratio of the product was 11.6. The obtained temperature curve was almost a “mirror image” of the oxygen concentration curve while the peak values of the temperature were occurred 9.5 h after the peak oxygen consumption.     

Performance evaluation of a completely stirred anaerobic reactor treating pig manure at a low range of mesophilic conditions

Many Chinese biogas plants run in the lower range of mesophilic conditions. This study evaluated the performance of a completely stirred anaerobic reactor treating pig manure at different temperatures (20, 28 and 38 °C). The start-up phase of the reactor at 20 °C was very long and extremely poor performance was observed with increasing organic loading rate (OLR). At an OLR of 4.3 g ODM L^?1 d^?1, methane production at 28 °C was comparable (3% less) with that at 38 °C, but the risk of acidification was high at 28 °C. At low OLR (1.3 g ODM L^?1 d^?1), the biogas process appeared stable at 28 °C and gave same methane yields as compared to the reactor operating at 38 °C. The estimated sludge yield at 28 °C was 0.065 g VSS g^?1 COD_removed, which was higher than that at 38 °C (0.016 g VSS g^?1 COD_removed).     

Case study of landfill leachate recirculation using small-diameter vertical wells

A case study of landfill liquids addition using small diameter (5 cm) vertical wells is reported. More than 25,000 m³ of leachate was added via 134 vertical wells installed 3 m, 12 m, and 18 m deep over five years in a landfill in Florida, US. Liquids addition performance (flow rate per unit screen length per unit liquid head) ranged from 5.6 × 10^?8 to 3.6 × 10^?6 m³ s^?1 per m screen length per m liquid head. The estimated radial hydraulic conductivity ranged from 3.5 × 10^?6 to 4.2 × 10^?4 m s^?1. The extent of lateral moisture movement ranged from 8 to 10 m based on the responses of moisture sensors installed around vertical well clusters, and surface seeps were found to limit the achievable liquids addition rates, despite the use of concrete collars under a pressurized liquids addition scenario. The average moisture content before (51 samples) and after (272 samples) the recirculation experiments were 23% (wet weight basis) and 45% (wet weight basis), respectively, and biochemical methane potential measurements of excavated waste indicated significant (p < 0.025) decomposition.     

Effects of compost biocovers on gas flow and methane oxidation in a landfill cover

Previous publications described the performance of biocovers constructed with a compost layer placed on select areas of a landfill surface characterized by high emissions from March 2004 to April 2005. The biocovers reduced CH₄ emissions 10-fold by hydration of underlying clay soils, thus reducing the overall amount of CH₄ entering them from below, and by oxidation of a greater portion of that CH₄. This paper examines in detail the field observations made on a control cell and a biocover cell from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2005. Field observations were coupled to a numerical model to contrast the transport and attenuation of CH₄ emissions from these two cells. The model partitioned the biocover’s attenuation of CH₄ emission into blockage of landfill gas flow from the underlying waste and from biological oxidation of CH₄. Model inputs were daily water content and temperature collected at different depths using thermocouples and calibrated TDR probes. Simulations of CH₄ transport through the two soil columns depicted lower CH₄ emissions from the biocover relative to the control. Simulated CH₄ emissions averaged 0.0 g m^?2 d^?1 in the biocover and 10.25 g m^?2 d^?1 in the control, while measured values averaged 0.04 g m^?2 d^?1 in the biocover and 14 g m^?2 d^?1 in the control. The simulated influx of CH₄ into the biocover (2.7 g m^?2 d^?1) was lower than the simulated value passing into the control cell (29.4 g m^?2 d^?1), confirming that lower emissions from the biocover were caused by blockage of the gas stream. The simulated average rate of biological oxidation predicted by the model was 19.2 g m^?2 d^?1 for the control cell as compared to 2.7 g m^?2 d^?1 biocover. Even though its V_max was significantly greater, the biocover oxidized less CH₄ than the control cell because less CH₄ was supplied to it.     

Lactic acid production with undefined mixed culture fermentation of potato peel waste

Potato peel waste (PPW) as zero value byproduct generated from food processing plant contains a large quantity of starch, non-starch polysaccharide, lignin, protein, and lipid. PPW as one promising carbon source can be managed and utilized to value added bioproducts through a simple fermentation process using undefined mixed cultures inoculated from wastewater treatment plant sludge. A series of non-pH controlled batch fermentations under different conditions such as pretreatment process, enzymatic hydrolysis, temperature, and solids loading were studied. Lactic acid (LA) was the major product, followed by acetic acid (AA) and ethanol under fermentation conditions without the presence of added hydrolytic enzymes. The maximum yields of LA, AA, and ethanol were respectively, 0.22 g g^?1, 0.06 g g^?1, and 0.05 g g^?1. The highest LA concentration of 14.7 g L^?1 was obtained from a bioreactor with initial solids loading of 60 g L^?1 at 35 °C.     

Co-digestion of sewage sludge with glycerol to boost biogas production

The feasibility of adding crude glycerol from the biodiesel industry to the anaerobic digesters treating sewage sludge in wastewater treatment plants was studied in both batch and continuous experiments at 35 °C. Glycerol addition can boost biogas yields, if it does not exceed a limiting 1% (v/v) concentration in the feed. Any further increase of glycerol causes a high imbalance in the anaerobic digestion process. The reactor treating the sewage sludge produced 1106 ± 36 ml CH₄/d before the addition of glycerol and 2353 ± 94 ml CH₄/d after the addition of glycerol (1% v/v in the feed). The extra glycerol-COD added to the feed did not have a negative effect on reactor performance, but seemed to increase the active biomass (volatile solids) concentration in the system. Batch kinetic experiments showed that the maximum specific utilization rate (μ_max) and the saturation constant (K_S) of glycerol were 0.149 ± 0.015 h^?1 and 0.276 ± 0.095 g/l, respectively. Comparing the estimated values with the kinetics constants for propionate reported in the literature, it can be concluded that glycerol uptake is not the rate-limiting step during the process.     

Anaerobic co-digestion of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste with FOG waste from a sewage treatment plant: Recovering a wasted methane potential and enhancing the biogas yield

Anaerobic digestion is applied widely to treat the source collected organic fraction of municipal solid wastes (SC-OFMSW). Lipid-rich wastes are a valuable substrate for anaerobic digestion due to their high theoretical methane potential. Nevertheless, although fat, oil and grease waste from sewage treatment plants (STP-FOGW) are commonly disposed of in landfill, European legislation is aimed at encouraging more effective forms of treatment. Co-digestion of the above wastes may enhance valorisation of STP-FOGW and lead to a higher biogas yield throughout the anaerobic digestion process. In the present study, STP-FOGW was evaluated as a co-substrate in wet anaerobic digestion of SC-OFMSW under mesophilic conditions (37 °C). Batch experiments carried out at different co-digestion ratios showed an improvement in methane production related to STP-FOGW addition. A 1:7 (VS/VS) STP-FOGW:SC-OFMSW feed ratio was selected for use in performing further lab-scale studies in a 5 L continuous reactor. Biogas yield increased from 0.38 ± 0.02 L g VS_feed^?1 to 0.55 ± 0.05 L g VS_feed^?1 as a result of adding STP-FOGW to reactor feed. Both VS reduction values and biogas methane content were maintained and inhibition produced by long chain fatty acid (LCFA) accumulation was not observed. Recovery of a currently wasted methane potential from STP-FOGW was achieved in a co-digestion process with SC-OFMSW.     

The applicability of different waste materials for the production of lightweight aggregates

The applicability of different waste materials for the production of lightweight aggregates has been studied. The following waste materials were investigated: silica sludge, superfluous clay in the quarry, waste glass, and residue from the polishing process of different types of stone. SiC and MnO₂ were selected as foaming agents. Feldspar containing minerals and scrap glass were added in order to lower the softening point of the waste materials. The granules were prepared by mixing together finely ground waste with one or both of the selected foaming agents. The granules were then fired at different temperatures above the softening point of the glassy phase within the temperature range from 1150 to 1220 °C, where the foaming agent degasses, and the resulting gasses remain trapped in the glassy structure. The foaming process was observed by hot-stage microscopy. The properties of the so-obtained granules, such as their apparent density and compressive strength, were determined, and their microstructures were evaluating using SEM and polarizing microscopy.With the addition to clay of polishing residue from granite-like rocks, after firing at 1220 °C homogeneously porous granules with a density down to 0.42 g/cm³ were obtained, whereas with the addition to waste silica sludge of polishing residue from granite-like rocks and waste glass with a foaming agent, after firing at 1220 °C densities from 0.57 to 0.82 g/cm³ were obtained.