Abstract
A physical model system was developed to permit measurement of heat evolved during the composting of sewage sludge, and to remove heat through ventilation and conduction in a manner realistically comparable to field scale systems. Heat evolutions of approximately 15,000 to 22,000 Joules per gram decomposed were observed, with peak outputs of almost 700 J/g initial sludge volatile per 12 hour period. Composting activity appeared to be enhanced by ventilation, independent of temperature or high interstitial oxygen concentration, but possibly related to particle surface turbulance factors improving oxygen transfer.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
De Bertoldi, M., Rutili, A. and Civilini, M. (1988). Composting management: a new process control through 02 feedback. Waste Management & Research, 6, 239–259.
Finstein, M.S., Miller, F C. and Strom, P.E (1986). Waste treatment composting as a controlled system. In: Biotechnology, Vol. 8, Eds. H.J. Rehm and G. Reed, VCH Verlagsgesellshaft, Weinheim. Germany, 363–398.
Finstein, M.S., Miller, F.C., MacGregor, S.T., and Psarianos, K.M. (1985). The Rutgers strategy for composting: process design and cvntrol. US EPA/600/S2-85/059, Washington. D.C.
Hamelers, H.V.M. (1993). Theoretical model of composting kinetics. In: Science and Engineering of Composting, Eds. H.A.J. Hoitink and H.M. Keener, Renaissance Publications, Worthington, Ohio, 36–58.
Harper, E., Miller, F.C. and Macauley, B.J. (1992). Physical management and interpretation of an environmentally controlled composting ecosystem. Australian J. of Experimental Agriculture, 32. 657–667.
MacGregor, S.T., Miller, F.C., Psarianos, K.M. and Finstein, M.S. (1981). Composting process control based on interaction between microbial heat output and temperature. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 41. 1321–1330.
Miller, F.C. (1984). Thermodynamic and matric water potential analysis in field and laboratory scale composting ecosystems. Ph.D. Thesis. Rutgers University. N.J., University Microfilms. Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Miller, F.C. ( 1989). Matric water potential as an ecological determinant in compost. a substrate dense system. Microbial Ecology. 18. 59–71.
Miller, F.C. (1991). Biodegradation of solid wastes by composting. In: Biological Degradation of Wastes, Ed. A.M. Martin, Elsevier Applied Science, London. 1–31.
Miller, F.C. (1993). Composting as a process based on the control of ecologically selective factors. In: Soil Microbial Ecology. Ed. F.B. Melting. Jr., Marcel Dekker. Inc., New York, 515–544.
Miller, F.C. and Finstein, M.S. (1985). Materials balance in the composting of wastewater sludge as affected by process control strategy. J. Water Pollution Control Federation. 57(2). 122–127.
Miller, F.C., Hogan, J.A. and Macauley, B.J. (1989b). Determination of heat evolution and activity in mushroom composting through physical modelling. In: Fifth International Symposium on Microbial Ecology. Kyoto. abstract 0-9-7.
Miller, F.C., Harper, E.R. and Macauley, B.J. (1989a). Field examination of temperature and oxygen relationships in mushroom composting stacks - consideration of stack oxygenation based on utilization and supply. Australian J. of Experimental Agriculture, 29, 741–750.
Miller, F.C., Harper, E.R., Macauley, B.J. and Gulliver, A. (1990). Composting based on moderately thermophilic and aerobic conditions for the production of commercial mushroom growing compost. Australian J. of Experimental Agriculture, 30, 287–296.
Toth, S.J. and Nocitra, N.A. (1982). Sludge composting and utilization: chemical composition and agricultural value of sewage sludge composts. N.J.A.E.S. Project No. 03543, Cook College. New Brunswick. N.J.
Strom, P.E (1985). Effect of temperature on bacterial diversity in thermophilic solid - waste composting. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 50, 906–913.
Weast, R.C., (ed.). (1971). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 52nd Edition. The Chemical Rubber Company, Cleveland. Ohio.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1996 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Miller, F.C. (1996). Heat Evolution During Composting of Sewage Sludge. In: de Bertoldi, M., Sequi, P., Lemmes, B., Papi, T. (eds) The Science of Composting. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-1569-5_12
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-1569-5_12
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-010-7201-4
Online ISBN: 978-94-009-1569-5
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive