Physical characteristics of olive stone wooden residues: possible bulking material for composting process

• Published in: Biodegradation (Dordrecht) 2008-04, Vol.19 (2), p.209-214
• Main Authors: Vlyssides, A. G, Barampouti, E. M. P, Mai, S. Th
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aquatic Pollution; Biodegradation; Biodegradation of pollutants; Biological and medical sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biotechnology; Bulking material; Composting; Environment and pollution; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Geochemistry; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; Industrial Waste; Life Sciences; Microbiology; Olea; Olive Oil; Olive oil processing; Original Paper; Physical characteristics; Plant Oils; Porosity; Refuse Disposal; Soil; Soil Science & Conservation; Solid residues; Substrates; Terrestrial Pollution; Waste Management/Waste Technology; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollution Control
• ISSN: 0923-9820; 1572-9729
• DOI: 10.1007/s10532-007-9127-5

The present work focuses on the study of the physical characteristics of olive stone wooden residues at the prospect of its use as a bulking material in compost process. The physical characteristics that were studied according to particle mesh classification, were the apparent density, porosity, water holding capacity, air free space and air pressure drop. From the experimental results, it was proved that only the fraction of 6.8-12.5 mesh, which is 29.40% of the substrate, could maintain the moisture in the optimum range 40-60%. The fraction of the particles of 2.6-23.6 mesh, which was 74.68% of the substrate, had appropriate porosity for composting. It was also proved that for dried substrate and air velocity 300 m h-¹, acceptable pressure drop (10 cm H₂O m-¹) was observed for the fraction of the particles of 2.6-27.5 mesh, which was 80.08% of the substrate, while for dried substrate and air velocity 150 m h-¹, the respective fraction was particles of 2.6-37.9 mesh which accounted for the 89.48% of the substrate. Conclusively, olive oil processing solid residues have the physical characteristics, so as to be used for composting or as a substrate for co-composting with high strength wastewater.