Interaction Between the Ratio of Lignocellulosic Bulking Agent and Aeration Rate in the Vegetative and Fruit Waste Composting: A Kinetic Approach

摘要

Lignocellulosic bulking agent has been introduced to overcome the problem and increase the efficiency in vegetative and fruit waste composting. Aeration provides oxygen for aerobic biodegradation as well as removes excess vapor, heat, and gases. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effect of waste:sawdust ratio and degree of aeration on vegetative and fruit wastes composting using kinetic approach. Batch culture experiments were performed in a bench scale reactor. The following 1:1.58, 1:0.62 and 1:0.15 waste:sawdust ratio were designed in combination with various aeration rates of 0, 50, and 100 ml/min. The results reveal that composting process could be operated with high amount of bulking agent (the waste:sawdust ratio 1:1.58) without aeration (k rate = 0.1057 day~(-1)) whereas low amount of bulking agent (the waste:sawdust ratio 1:0.62) requires an aeration rate of at least 50 ml/min. The ratio of waste:sawdust 1:0.15 indicated extremely inappropriate condition at any aeration rate operated. Forced aeration is necessary when the ratio of waste:sawdust is started lower than 1:1.58. A maximum constant rate of total organic carbon degradation (k rate = 0.1439 day~(-1)) obtained is the highest when using the composting process with the ratio of waste:sawdust 1:1.58 and aeration rate of 50 ml/min. This study also demonstrates a zero order reaction of vegetative and fruits waste composting amended with sawdust and quadratic form in kinetic investigation.