TREATMENT

TECHNOLOGY
(BIOLOGICAL
TREATMENT)
 What is Municipal Solid
Waste?
Mixed waste from Residential, Commercial &
Industrial sources
Compostable potential of 60-90%
Composition includes: paper, glass, wood,
plastics, soils, chemicals, food waste, plant
debris, metals, textiles, street cleaning & OM
Organic material makes up 50-70% of MSW
The fewer the non-compostable materials in
feedstock the better the finished compost
material.
 Components of MSW

Recycling
Composting
Combustion
Landfilling
 Composting &
Classification
Definition:- Composting is the biological decomposition of
the organic constituents of wastes under controlled
conditions to a state sufficiently stable for nuisance-free
storage and utilization.

Performed either by households or in large centralised units

Compost systems can be classified on three general bases:

1. Oxygen usage (aerobic & anaerobic)
2. Temperature (Mesophilic 15-40 OC & Thermophilic 45-65 OC)
3. Technological approach (static pile or windrow, and
mechanical or "enclosed" composting)
 Grades of Compost
Premium Grade

- agricultural and horticultural use

- home use, turf, pot plants

- can be freely traded

- regulations may control the application of nitrogen to land

Regulated Grade
- remediation, restoration, agriculture, forestry and non food crops
- specialist expertise necessary in trading and its use
- regulation of the application
- biological, chemical or physical hazards remain a concern

Engineering Grade
- access to composts is strictly limited
- other risk management measures in place
for e.g. uses such as daily cover, or as engineering fill material - in
bunds and sound barriers, or as pollution control measures such as
biofilters.
 End Uses of Compost
Soil Improvement
- soil structure, condition and fertility
Growing media
- component of mixes used to grow crops in containers
Mulches
- suppress weed growth, conserves water and also to maintain
soil temperatures. Mulching also protects plants from frost.
Restoration
- used for soil forming and soil improvement
Landfill Applications
- improvement of landfill covers soil formation
 Those Who Benefit from the
End Uses
Local Authorities
Landfill companies
Waste and sewage companies
Process Options for Organic
Waste
 Why Biologically Treat
MSW?
Reduces waste going to landfill
Estimated to be 10 years remaining landfill
capacity available for municipal waste
Biological Process of
Composting
 Composts
What is compost and why use it?
What organisms are involved in the composting process?
What chemical changes occur during composting?
What are the optimal conditions for composting
Temperature
Moisture
Oxygen
Does composting kill harmful pathogens (plant and
human), nematodes and weed seeds?
Safety regulations
Compost production systems
Small scale
Commercial
 What is compost why
use it?
Composting is the decomposition of
plant remains and other once-living
materials to make an earthy, dark,
crumbly substance that is excellent
for adding to houseplants or enriching
garden soil.

compost improves soil structure, texture, aeration -

increases the soil's water-holding capacity.
Compost loosens clay soils and helps sandy soils retain
water.
improves soil fertility and stimulates healthy root
development
Organic matter provides food for microorganisms -
nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus mineralized
 The Science of
Composting
Composting is the natural process in which living
organisms decompose organic matter into inorganic
matter in the soil.

The organisms feed on the organic material and

through respiration generate the energy that they use
for movement, growth, reproduction or stored energy.

The organism excrete inorganic material that enriches

the soil.

When the organisms die, their bodies add to the

organic matter in the compost pile.
Fresh Organic
Materials + Oxygen

Microbes,
Moisture,
and Time

Energy
Compost + Carbon
Dioxide
+
Slide credit: Tom Richard, Penn State University
 Organisms use carbon as a source of energy and
nitrogen to grow and reproduce.

Too little N:
there will be few
microorganisms,
and decomposition
will be slow.
Too much N:
some will turn to
ammonia that will
volatilize, creating
an odor.
Experimental test - effect of C:N ratio on nitrogen
retention in compost

Final Nitrogen
nitrogen conservation
Initial C:N ratio % %

1 20 1.44 61.2
2 20.5 1.04 51.9
3 22 1.63 85.2
4 30 1.21 99.5
5 35 1.32 99.9
 Factors affecting the
compost process

C:N
ratio

Size and
Aeratio texture
n

NB. Moisture level also

critical
 Moisture level is also critical

Optimum moisture content 40-60%

Feels moist to touch, but when
squeezed only produces few drops
 Ideal conditions for
composting
Parameter OK Ideal
Moisture 40-65% 45-60%
C:N ratio 20-40:1 25-35:1
Oxygen >5% >10%
Temperature 43-66 C 54-60 C
Bulk density 1000 lbs/yd 1000 lbs/yd
pH 5.5-9.0 6.5-8.0
 The Science of
Composting

Composting goes through three distinct phases that can

be characterized by temperatures.
Mesophilic Phase (moderate temperature)
Thermophilc Phase (high temerpature)
Mesophilic Phase (moderate temperature again)
 The Science of
Composting
Mesophilic Phase 1 (10-40 0 C)
Lasts only a few days
Explosive growth of bacteria and fungi
Rapid breakdown of soluble sugar and starches
Thermophilic Phase (>40 0 C)
Can last from several days to several months depending on size of
system
Mixed population of heat loving organisms
High heat helps breakdown of proteins, fats, tough plant material
like cellulose
High temperature (>55 0C) kill weeds and pathogen harmful to
humans
Higher temperature (>600C) kill organism needed for decomposition

Mesophilic Phase 2 (10-40 0 C) Curing Phase

Can last several months
Bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes( mix between bacteria and fungus,
give earthy smell) predominate. Invertebrates active.
Supply of organic material has decreased. Remaining organic
material is slowly broken down.
Additional chemical reactions take place to make remaining organic
material more stable
 The Science of
Composting:
Chemistry
Important factors in compost chemistry
Carbon-Nitrogen Mix (C/N Ratio)
Carbon provides energy source and building material
for 50% of composting organisms cells
Nitrogen important in formation of proteins, nucleic
acids, amino acids, enzymes etc. for organisms
30:1 Carbon to Nitrogen optimum mix (decreases in
curing phase)
Brown and woody carbon
Green and moist nitrogen
 The Science of Composting:
Chemistry
Important factors in compost chemistry
Oxygen
Needed to oxidize carbon for energy
Without oxygen will produce rotten egg smell

pH Level
Acids form as organisms digest organic material and
lowers pH
Lower pH encourages fungi and the break down of
tough matter
If pH too low (<4.5) limits microorganisms activity
 Environmental Factors
Affecting Composting
pH
Anaerobic digestion the pH level covers a narrow range (pH
6.5 to 7.5)

Aerobic- pH so broad difficulties rarely encountered with too

high or too low pH in composting.

During the early stages the pH usually drops (down to about

pH 5.0) because of organic acid formation.

An exception which can reduce the pH is fruit wastes which

can reduce the pH to 4.5.

calcium hydroxide (lime) can be used as a buffer but it also

lead to a loss in ammonium nitrogen.
 Environmental Factors
Affecting Composting
Aeration (Anaerobic & Aerobic)
Anaerobic:
Advantages
a) minimisation of the loss of nitrogen
b) less costly
Disadvantages include:
a) Slowness of decomposition
b) Absence of high temperatures
c) The presence of un-decomposed intermediates
d) The un-pre-processed appearance of the product
Environmental Factors
Affecting Composting
Aerobic
Aerobic composting benefits from:
a) A rapid rate of degradation
b) Elevated temperature levels
c) Absence of putrefactive

Oxygen uptake reflects intensity of microbial activity.

Theoretically the amount of oxygen required is
determined by the amount of carbon to be oxidised
(Chrometzka, 1968).
 Environmental Factors
Affecting Composting
Moisture Content
Moisture content and oxygen availability are closely
related
If the moisture content of the mass is so high as to
displace the air from the interstices (voids between
particles) anaerobic conditions will develop within
the mass .
The maximum permissible moisture content is a
function of the structural strength of the particles of
the material to be composted i.e. the degree of
resistance of individual particles to compression.
Woodchips, straw and hay can be as high as 75 to
80% whereas paper (upon becoming wet, collapses
and forms mats) has a permissible moisture content
of 55 to 60%.
 Factors affecting Composting
Substrate

The waste (referred to as the substrate) should contain

all necessary nutrients.

Macronutrients Micronutrients

Carbon (C) Cobalt (Co)

Nitrogen Manganese (Mn)

Phosphorous (P) Manganese (Mg)
Potassium (K) Copper (Cu)
 Factors affecting Composting

Substrate (cont.)

only available if they are in a form that can be

assimilated by the microbes.

Certain groups of microbes have an enzymatic

complex that permits them to attack, degrade
and utilise the organic matter found in freshly
generated waste.

Others can only utilize decomposition products

(intermediates) as a source of nutrients.
Factors affecting Composting

Carbon: Nitrogen Ratio (C: N)

The C: N ratio of the waste to be composted is the most
important factor that requires attention.
A large percentage of the carbon is oxidised to carbon
dioxide by the microbes in their metabolic activities .
The major consumption of nitrogen is in the synthesis of
protoplasm consequently much more carbon is
required.
The C: N of the substrate should fall within the range of
20-25:1.
Mmicroorganisms such as bacteria and fungi grow best
with the proper level of Carbon and Nitrogen.
Changes in Ammonium-N

distillation method; fresh sample

Changes in Carbon to
Nitrogen Ratio

Dan Sullivan and Linda Brew

Changes in cation exchange
capacity
(ash-free; pH 7)

500
(cmol kg compost-C)

400

300 FA
CEC

PA
-1

200

100

0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140
Composting time (days)
Temperature

Fatty acids

NH3
emitted

pH

days
Compost chemistry - pH
 The Science of
Composting:
Physics
Important factors for compost physics:
Temperature
3 Phases
Want to maintain temperature between 55-600C
Temperature impacted
Heat generated by organism
Heat lost to environment through conduction, convection
and radiation shape and size of pile
Moisture content (specific heat and heat capacity of
water)
 The Science of
Composting:
Physics
Important factors for compost physics:
Particle size
Microorganism activity occurs on surface of organic
material
The more surface area for organisms to attack, the
quicker the decomposition want smaller particles
Flip-side: The smaller the particles, the more dense and
compact the material resulting in poor oxygen
circulation
The main players
1. Bacteria:
major decomposers,
breakdown simpler forms of
organic material

2. Actinomycetes:
degrade complex organics
such as cellulose, lignin,
chitin, and proteins
earthy smell, long spider
webs filaments
 What do microbes in
compost do?
Consume organic matter to grow
Stabilize organic matter
Aerobic oxidation produces CO2
Anaerobic produces reduced compounds
organic acids, alcohols
Mineralize nutrients
Organic to inorganic forms (protein to NH4)
Transform nutrients
Nitrification pH and temperature sensitive

NOTE: invertebrates not important in high temperature

composting, only in cold
 Biological Process of
Composting
Abundance and variety of microbes
indigenous to wastes are sufficient to
compost the wastes

Microbes active in the compost process are:

Bacteria (mesophyllic and thermophyllic)
Actinomycetes
Fungi
Protoza
Rotifers
Food Web of a Compost
pile
Tertiary Consumers
centipedes, mites, beetles

Secondary Consumers
nematodes, protozoa, rotifera,

Primary Consumers
bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes

Organic Residue
Compost Quality
Compost Maturity
Compost Maturity
Compost Quality Measures

C:N below 25
 Inorganic N release Spring and
summer 2000

400 Poultry
Inorganic N Released (lb N/acre)

300 Blend [M-18]

Green [M-1]
200
Check

100

0
0 50 100 150 200 250
Days Afte r Incorporation
 Problems associated with
Composting of Municipal
Waste
1. Leachate
Odours
Vector for organisms
supports the proliferation of insects

2. Odour & VOCs

Feedstock
Enhanced under anaerobic conditions

3. Dust
Agitation of composting materials
Bioaerosols
 Problems associated with
Composting of Municipal
Waste
4. Vermin, Birds & Insects
-Nuisance Problems
-Pathogens in Final Product
5. Bioaerosols and other Health
Risks
Hazard pathogenic organisms in feedstock.
Pathway ingestion of materials (for example from
unwashed hands). Receptor compost site workers.

6. Fire
-Stored in bulk
 Economic Factors
The costs of a composting facility include land,
labour and equipment.

It will divert waste that would otherwise need costly

disposal. If the compost site is closer than the other
disposal site, there will be savings in transport costs.

The finished compost can be used as a substitute for

purchased mulch or topsoil in municipal landscaping.

If sold commercially, compost can generate

revenues, which help defray processing costs.
 Compost production
systems
Small scale

Compost piles
need to be at
least one cubic
to hold the
heat from
decomposition
Passive composting
 Commercial
composting
Large scale
Passive aeration with turning or actively aerated
systems
Feedstock conditioning - grinding
Moisture management - most important
factor to stabilize biological and
chemical properties
Processing turned windrows
 Compost blankets to moderate moisture
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Composting - windrow
Turning helps
CO2 aeration and
to move
material from
edge into hot
Hot center region

O2
Cool
Graphic credit: Tom Richard, Penn State University
 Composting Static
forced air
CO2
Air forces heat
Hot outwards
Some systems
can switch
direction to keep
O2 base core at
Cool high enough
temperature
Graphic credit: Tom Richard, Penn State University
Also helps
control odor
Processing - forced aeration
Hot ammonia kills!!!
Contain, treat leachate
Compost blankets beware moving from fresh to curing

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 Cure compost with 40-50% moisture
to promote competitive microorganisms and
avoid salmonella regrowth
 Biological Processing
Options
1) Turned Windrow
2) Static Aerated Pile
3) In-Vessel
-Horizontal Units
-Vertical Units
-Rotating Drums
NOTE:
Design and management of technical options must
be based on the needs of microorganisms
Turned Windrows
 Natural Air Circulation
in a Compost Windrow

Windrows
Composting
Sites
 Static Aerated Pile
Does not employ turning static
Air is drawn or blown through a network of
perforated plastic pipes under the
windrows
Faster than windrow systems
Used where aeration and temperature
control are crucial, (i.e. sludge or food
processing wastes)
Works best with a material that is relatively
uniform in particle size ( not > 1.5 to 2 in.
in any dimension)
This blower forces air
into a static compost pile.
Forced aeration in a
bin type system

Passively Aerated Windrow

System (PAWS)
Permanent air outlets
in the pad for an aerated
static pile at a site in
Washington
 In-Vessel Systems
Also referred to as
-Contained systems
-Reactor
-Bioreactor

Computer provides greater control of composting

process
Raw waste is placed in a large container, with
built-in aeration and mechanical mixing
equipment
 In-Vessel Systems
Protected from severe weather and odour
containment
Low retention time (RT) (often <14 days)
Requires further compost processing - low RT is
insufficient for thermophilic composting stage
Expensive to build and operate
Types of In-Vessel Systems
Horizontal Units
Vertical Units
Rotating Drums
 Horizontal Units
Material contained and aerated in a long,
horizontal reactor, usually build of concrete
Material may be moved in and out by:
A front end loader or conveyor system
Plug flow system hydraulic ram
Moving floor system
Horizontal Bed Reactor
 Vertical Units

Small land area

Enclosed and aerated in a vertical
reactor known as silos or towers.
Compaction of material at the base reactor -
impedes aeration - anaerobic regions developing
Good for Sludge composting industry but not
MSW
A vertical in-reactor
composting system
Rotating Drums

Most common in-vessel composting approach

Combined with aeration in static piles or turned
windrow
Feedstock introduced into one end of slowly
rotating drum, inclined at about 5 degrees from
horizontal
RT varies from 4-6 hours to 2-3 days
Drum allows homogenisation and screening of
materials
A large-scale, Rotating Drum Composting Vessel
CASE STUDY
History of Food Waste
The Key Areas to Address

COLLECTION TREATMENT PRODUCTS

 Supermarket Waste:
Treatment example

shredding pressing/ separation

Supermarket waste
-High food
-High moisture
-Soft packaging
plastic / liquid
organic
 Supermarket Waste:
Treatment example continued

blending/ storage
high value liquid

Supermarket waste
-High food
-High moisture
-Soft packaging

To products AD
 Products
Fuel

Biogas : electricity / vehicle fuel / gas

Plastics : SRF (fossil fuel replacement)

Heat : from CHP

Fertiliser

Compost : soil improver / fertiliser

Bio stimulators : specific plants

Bio fertilisers : improve crop yield

 Products
Fertiliser example: Bio Stimulor

waste to composting

CHIPS
composting

LOWER
WASTE
add fungus

HIGHER
YIELD
Any Questions