Evaluation of mixing ratio and frequency of turning in the co-composting of biowaste with sugarcane filter cake and star grass

•Turning frequency and co-substrate ratio have a joint effect on biowaste composting.•Both parameters affect the process and compost quality, regardless the co-substrate.•High turning frequency boosters organic degradation and may reduce compost quality.•Low turning frequency hinders biological acti...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Waste management (Elmsford) 2019-08, Vol.96, p.86-95
Main Authors: Soto-Paz, Jonathan, Oviedo-Ocaña, Edgar Ricardo, Manyoma-Velásquez, Pablo Cesar, Torres-Lozada, Patricia, Gea, Teresa
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aeration
Bulking agent
Composting
Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Principal component analysis
Refuse Disposal
Saccharum
Soil
Temperature
Turning
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Summary:•Turning frequency and co-substrate ratio have a joint effect on biowaste composting.•Both parameters affect the process and compost quality, regardless the co-substrate.•High turning frequency boosters organic degradation and may reduce compost quality.•Low turning frequency hinders biological activity and increases processing time.•Low co-substrate ratio hinders biowaste composting regardless the turning frequency. This work studied the effect of mixing ratio (MR) and turning frequency (TF) in biowaste composting (BW) with sugarcane filter cake (SFC) and star grass (SG), both on process performance (temperature, static respiration index, total organic carbon, total nitrogen and total phosphorus) and on product quality (pH, cation exchange capacity, electrical conductivity, organic matter, nutrients, stability, maturity, total coliforms and faecal coliforms), through the Principal Components Analysis (PCA). The Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated for all the quality parameters. A joint effect of mixing ratio and turning frequency was demonstrated, highlighting the importance of studying the operational parameters simultaneously. The results of the PCA showed that the best operating conditions and therefore higher product quality is achieved with a TF of twice a week and MR between 20 and 30% of SFC or SG. Additionally, it was found that a frequency of one turn per week generates the lowest product quality, regardless the co-substrate and the MR. The best treatment corresponded to BW composting with MR of 20% SFC and TF of two turnings per week. The obtained results allow to optimize the operation in composting facilities.
ISSN:0956-053X
1879-2456
DOI:10.1016/j.wasman.2019.07.015