Articles
A LOW COST CONTROLLED WINDROW SYSTEM
Article number
302_14
Pages
141 – 152
Language
Abstract
In developing countries the disposal of urban solid wastes is often handled on a crisis basis causing problems for health and the environment.
Composting in a controlled manner reduces the problems associated with health and in addition produces a useful soil amendment.
Low cost windrow composting systems (aeration by turning) have difficulties related to odour, flies and unsanitised product.
The paper describes a new methodology for windrow composting designed to significantly reduce these problems.
The separated organic fraction of refuse was turned by hand with the cross section of the pile being changed during turning to maintain a pile operating temperature in the 45–65°C range in order to maximise biodegradation (measured by volatile solids reduction). Moisture was added as required during turning to maintain a value between 45 and 55%. The optimum turning cycle under the climatic conditions of Vicosa was found to be every 3 days; at the initial pile construction and after the first 2 turnings a 100mm cover layer of mature compost was used to eliminate odour problems and suppress fly activity.
Using the system developed the level of faecal streptococci was reduced from more than 106 in raw refuse to less than 10 cfu/gww in the mature compost.
Composting in a controlled manner reduces the problems associated with health and in addition produces a useful soil amendment.
Low cost windrow composting systems (aeration by turning) have difficulties related to odour, flies and unsanitised product.
The paper describes a new methodology for windrow composting designed to significantly reduce these problems.
The separated organic fraction of refuse was turned by hand with the cross section of the pile being changed during turning to maintain a pile operating temperature in the 45–65°C range in order to maximise biodegradation (measured by volatile solids reduction). Moisture was added as required during turning to maintain a value between 45 and 55%. The optimum turning cycle under the climatic conditions of Vicosa was found to be every 3 days; at the initial pile construction and after the first 2 turnings a 100mm cover layer of mature compost was used to eliminate odour problems and suppress fly activity.
Using the system developed the level of faecal streptococci was reduced from more than 106 in raw refuse to less than 10 cfu/gww in the mature compost.
Authors
J.T. Pereira Neto, E.I. Stentiford
Keywords
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