D V Wadkar et al.

/ International Journal of Engineering Science and Technology (IJEST)

Aerobic Thermophilic Composting of

Municipal Solid Waste
D V Wadkar1* ,P R Modak2,V S Chavan3
1,2,3

Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, AISSMS College of Engineering, Pune-01.

*dvwadkar_civil@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT
Composting is a natural process that turns organic material into a dark rich substance called compost. Aerobic
Composting is the creation of compost that depends on bacteria that thrive in an oxygen rich environment.
Aerobic bacteria manage the chemical process by converting the inputs (i.e. air, water and carbon and nitrogen
rich materials) into heat, carbon dioxide and ammonium. The ammonium is further converted by bacteria into
plant nourishing nitrites and nitrates through the process of nitrification. Thermophilic Composting is breaking
down biological waste with thermophilic (heat loving) bacteria. A cylindrical reactor was made. Organic waste
included dry vegetable waste collected from MSW ramp, Koregaon park, Pune. The characteristics of compost
like pH, moisture content, temperature, C/N ratio and volume reduction were studied for the period of
maturation (42days). It can be concluded that the values are within the desired limits and compost is suitable for
ornamental plants. The setup of reactor is affordable and thus the compost obtained is effective and economical.
Keywords: Aerobic Composting, Thermophilic composting, organic waste.
1. INTRODUCTION
Solid Waste Management is associated with the control of waste generation, storage, collection, transfer and
transport, processing and disposal in a manner that is in accordance with the environmental considerations. To
reduce the load on disposal system, solid waste must be processed. Composting can be one such process. It is a
process in which organic substances are reduced from larger volumes of rapidly decomposable material to small
volumes of material which continue to decompose slowly. Compost is particularly useful as organic manure
which contains plant nutrients (Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium) as well as micro nutrients which can be
utilized for the growth of plants. Composting can be carried out in two ways i.e., aerobically and anaerobically.
During aerobic composting aerobic micro-organisms oxidise organic compounds to Carbon dioxide, Nitrite and
Nitrate. Carbon from organic compounds is used as a source of energy while nitrogen is recycled [1]. Due to
exothermic reaction, temperature of the mass rises. During anaerobic process, the anaerobic microorganisms,
while metabolising the nutrients, break down the organic compounds through a process of reduction [3]. A very
small amount of energy is released during the process and the temperature of composting mass does not rise
much. The gases evolved are mainly Methane and Carbon dioxide. An anaerobic process is a reduction process
and the final product is subjected to some minor oxidation when applied to land. Aerobic composting is a
dynamic system wherein bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi and other biological forms are actively involved.
Thermophilic bacteria are mainly responsible for the breakdown of proteins and other readily biodegradable
organic matter [4]. Windrow composting is the most common method of composting in India. It involves the
stabilization of organic solid waste through aerobic decomposition. Windrow composting facilities can
efficiently handle large quantities of waste in comparison to vermicomposting. While traditional composting
procedures take as long as 4-8 months to produce finished compost, rapid composting methods offer
possibilities for reducing the processing period up to three weeks[5]. A variety of approaches and their
combinations have been used to hasten the composting process like Shredding and frequent turnings, Use of
chemical nitrogen activators, Use of Effective Micro-organisms (EM), Use of worms, Use of cellulolytic
cultures. The aerated static pile method takes the piped aeration system a step further, using a blower to supply
air to the composting materials. The blower provides direct control of the process and allows larger piles. No
turning or agitation of the materials occurs once the pile is formed. When the pile has been properly formed and
if the air supply is sufficient and the distribution is uniform, the active composting period will be completed in
approximately three to five weeks [6]. In-vessel composting refers to a group of methods which confine the
composting materials within a building, container, or vessel. In-vessel methods rely on a variety of forced
aeration and mechanical turning techniques to speed up the composting process. Bin composting is perhaps the
simplest in-vessel method. The materials are contained by walls and usually a roof. The bin itself may simply be
wooden slatted walls (with or without a roof), a grain bin, or a bulk storage building. The buildings or bins
allow higher stacking of materials and better use of floor space than free-standing piles. Bins can also eliminate
weather problems, contain odours, and provide better temperature control [7]. The term vermicomposting had
recently been coined to mean the use of earthworms for composting organic residues. Earthworms can consume
practically all kinds of organic matter and they can eat their own body weight per day; thus, for example, one
kilogram of worms can consume one kilogram of residues every day [2].

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D V Wadkar et al. / International Journal of Engineering Science and Technology (IJEST)

2. METHODOLOGY
A cylindrical wire mesh reactor was prepared. At the bottom, opening was provided for leachate to drain off.
The reactor was at a height from the ground level. It was kept in the open air with protection on the side from
birds and rain. At initial stage, following things were done: Waste is segregated to get organic waste. A layer of
dried leaves is laid at the base of reactor. Then organic waste is laid in layers each layer being approx. 10 cm
thick. First layer is laid and bacteria culture is sprinkled on it, more two layers are laid on top of the base layer.
Bacteria are mesophilic. When temperature rises to 35 degree to 40 degree Celsius, it gives rise to thermophilic
bacteria. This growth goes until the temperature reaches 55 to 60 degree Celsius. At second stage, mixing was
done every four days. Also water was sprinkled on waste to maintain its moisture content. Mixing was also
useful to spread bacteria throughout the waste. At last stage of composting, it was seen that the particle size of
waste has reduced considerably. Waste particles falling out were collected in a tub kept at the bottom of the
reactor. This stage was completed by sixth week.
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
pH of a soil refers to how acid or alkaline the soil is. The availability of nutrients is directly affected by soil pH.
Plants have specific pH requirements for normal growth. The pH of compost at the end of sixth week is 6.8
Table No .01: Details of pH of compost for respective weeks

Weeks
1
2
3
4
5
6

pH
8.2
7
6.0
5.6
6.0
6.8

The moisture content of air dried manure is around 9-15%. As manure dries, the nutrients not only concentrate
on a weight basis, but also on a volume basis due to structural changes of the manure. The moisture content of
compost is 10.36 %
Table No.02: Details of Moisture content of compost for respective weeks

Weeks
1
2
3
4
5
6

Moisture Content (%)

37.36
28.27
22.92
15.41
12.36
10.36

The volume reduction was observed from the 7th day onwards. After 42days the volume reduction was observed
to be more than 47% during the loading under laboratory conditions.
Table No.03: Details of volume reduction of compost for respective weeks

Weeks
1
2
3
4
5
6

Volume Reduction (%)

0
15.8
26.77
38.19
49.43
47

The temperature of 550C during 2 and 3rd week is due to mesophilic bacteria. The C/N ratio of compost is 15:1.
As carbon gets converted to CO2 (and assuming minimal nitrogen losses) the C/N ratio decreases during the
composting process, with the ratio of finished compost typically close to 10/1.

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D V Wadkar et al. / International Journal of Engineering Science and Technology (IJEST)

Table No.04: Details of Temperature of compost for respective weeks

Temperature ( 0 C )
31
45
58
37
31
32

Weeks
1
2
3
4
5
6

The desired C/N ratios can be achieved by blending common used substrates of known C/N content, which are
readily available and easy to use.
4. CONCLUSION
Due to the addition of bacteria culture, the composting process was accelerated. The mesophilic bacteria added
trigger the thermophilic bacteria at temperature of 400C. The maturation period was 42days. Aeration provided
with the help of solar energy increased the efficiency of process. All these helped to keep various parameters
like pH, temperature, moisture content, C/N ratio within desired limits. The final compost obtained is suitable
for ornamental plants like azaleas, gardenias, camellias, etc.Thus it can be concluded that the compost can be
used effectively and economically.
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