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FACTORS AFFECTING COMPOSTING OF MUNICIPAL SLUDGE IN A BIOREACTOR
Citation:
Hoitink, H. AND G. Kuter. FACTORS AFFECTING COMPOSTING OF MUNICIPAL SLUDGE IN A BIOREACTOR. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/2-86/014.
Description:
The research was initiated to determine the feasibility of composting municipal sludge in an aerated tank bioreactor system and to develop baseline data for the rational operation and design of enclosed reactor composting systems. A variety of conditions was tested and various mixtures of recycled compost, bark, and sawdust were used as bulking agents. The mean temperature of the compost was regulated through programmed rates of airflow. Material balances were determined from accurate measurements of the weights of solids and water in the reactor feed and reactor product. In addition, temperature, aeration and carbon dioxide evolution were monitored continuously. Losses of water and solids experienced in the system were significantly greater than those published for the static aerated pile system. Measurements of carbon dioxide evolution appeared to accurately reflect the destruction of volatile solids and indicated that activity was at an optimum when the mean temperature of the compost was maintained at 38-55 C under high rates of aeration.