Influence of N-rich material in valorization of industrial eggshell by co-composting

Industrial eggshell (ES) is an animal by-product (ABP) involving some risk if not properly managed. Composting is a possible treatment approved for its safe use. This study aims to assess the influence of using N-rich material (grass clippings (GC)) to improve co-composting of ES mixtures for reachi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental technology 2016-11, Vol.37 (21), p.2773-2785
Main Authors: Soares, Micaela A.R., Quina, Margarida J., Quinta-Ferreira, Rosa
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biodegradation, Environmental
Byproducts
Clipping
co-composting
Composting
Egg Shell - chemistry
Eggshell waste
Grasses
Heat treatment
Industrial Waste - analysis
N-rich ingredient
Nitrogen - analysis
Nitrogen - chemistry
Nitrogen Compounds - analysis
Nitrogen Compounds - chemistry
Reactors
Risk
sanitizing
self-heating potential
Soil improvement
Solanum tuberosum
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Summary:Industrial eggshell (ES) is an animal by-product (ABP) involving some risk if not properly managed. Composting is a possible treatment approved for its safe use. This study aims to assess the influence of using N-rich material (grass clippings (GC)) to improve co-composting of ES mixtures for reaching sanitizing temperatures imposed by the ABP regulation from the European Union. Two sets of mixtures (M 1 and M 2 ) were investigated, each containing industrial potato peel waste, GC and rice husks at 3:1.9:1 and 3:0:1 ratios by wet weight. In each set, ES composition ranged from 0% to 30% (w/w). Co-composting trials were performed in self-heating reactors for 25 days, followed by maturation in piles. Results showed that only M 1 trials attained temperatures higher than 70°C for nine consecutive hours, but N-losses by stripping on average were four- to five-fold higher than M 2 . In the absence of N-rich material, biodegradability of mixtures was 'low' to 'moderate' and organic matter conversion was impaired. Physical, chemical and phytotoxic properties of finished composts were suitable for soil improvement, but M 1 took 54 more days to achieve maturity. In conclusion, co-composting ES with N-rich materials is important to assure the fulfilment of sanitizing requirements, avoiding any additional thermal treatment.
ISSN:0959-3330
1479-487X
DOI:10.1080/09593330.2016.1164251