Research Information System
Waste and Biomass Valorization, vol.12, no.7, pp.3645-3656, 2021 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Rotary drum composting appears to be a good option for decentralized composting. While aiming to transform the feedstock organic matter into stable humic compounds, composting should also take into account energy conservation. This experimental study quantified the impacts of exhaust air of a 0.38 m3 fully-automatic rotary drum composter on output parameters, decomposition rates, and energy consumption per loss of organic matter. Decomposition rates of labile and recalcitrant parts were evaluated using a multi-component kinetic model. The recirculation processes of exhaust air in the rotary drum composting enhanced the decomposition rates and maintained a better heat retention. In particular, the rotary drum composter with the dynamic gas recirculation system led to more matured material according to final C/N and NH4+-N/NO3--N ratios, and germination index as well as to less energy consumption per loss of organic matter in reaching the stabile humus compounds in the final material as fast as possible. Graphic Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].