In-vessel,Mechanical Rotating Drum Composting Of Institutional Food Residuals |
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| Authors: | DR Smith DL Cawthon JJ Sloan TM Freeman |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Agricultural Sciences, Texas A&2. M University – Commerce, Commerce, Texas;3. Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Dallas, Texas |
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| Abstract: | Use of composting technology as a treatment/disposal method for food residuals has been investigated by numerous researchers. This project evaluated the applicability of in-vessel, mechanical, rotating drum composting for food residuals. Three batches of food residuals (plate scrapings) were collected from a Texas prison and mixed with fine-textured soft-wood shavings at 2/1, 3/1 and 4/1 (ratios of shavings to food residual on a volumetric basis) to produce 0.4 m3 of compost blend. Temperature, oxygen, pH, bulk density and porosity were tracked throughout a fifteen-day composting trial. Volume and weight reductions were noticed for all blends. All blends reached thermophilic temperatures (> 45°C) while remaining aerobic during the trials. Initial pH was low in all blends, occasionally reaching 3.55 before returning to optimal levels (6.0 to 7.5) for composting. Temperature increases into the thermophilic range during composting corresponded to increases in compost pH. Most nutrients (P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Na and Zn) increased in concentration during the composting period, with the exception of N, which in some instances decreased over time. Composts utilizing the 3/1 ratio of bulking agent/food residual achieved thermophilic temperatures quickest and maintained temperatures longer than did other blending ratios. From this study, it appears that use of the mechanical, in-vessel, rotating drum composter may be a viable alternative for food residual disposal. |
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