Industrial-Scale Composting of Rice Straw and Sewage Sludge
Composting is an interesting option to recycle big quantities of organic waste because it helps to mitigate different environmental problems. Complementary characteristics of rice straw (RS) and sewage sludge (SS) create a suitable mixture to be used in a composting process. This work studies indust...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-08-01
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| Series: | Agronomy |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/13/9/2295 |
| _version_ | 1797581633801420800 |
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| author | Isabel Rodríguez-Carretero Rodolfo Canet Ana Quiñones Ana Pérez-Piqueres |
| author_facet | Isabel Rodríguez-Carretero Rodolfo Canet Ana Quiñones Ana Pérez-Piqueres |
| author_sort | Isabel Rodríguez-Carretero |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Composting is an interesting option to recycle big quantities of organic waste because it helps to mitigate different environmental problems. Complementary characteristics of rice straw (RS) and sewage sludge (SS) create a suitable mixture to be used in a composting process. This work studies industrial-scale RS and SS composting to assess both its viability and optimization. Windrow composting was conducted during two seasons. The complete characterisation (moisture, pH, electrical conductivity, total, oxidisable and water-soluble organic carbon, humic substances, organic and mineral nitrogen, macronutrients, micronutrients, heavy metals) of starting materials, samples taken periodically and final composts were carried out. During the first season, an RS:SS ratio of 1:8 (w:w fresh weight) was used, which led to a process with adequate temperatures for biodegradation, but not for ensuring materials’ sanitation. During the second season, the RS:SS ratio was increased (1:6) to enhance the energy process and, thus, temperatures. Although this increase took place, degradation slowed down as oxidisable organic carbon and water-soluble organic carbon indicated. During both seasons, final composts presented adequate pH, high N-richness, and interesting macro- and micronutrient values. Notwithstanding, they also presented certain salinity and high ammonium contents, which must be considered for their field application. The obtained composts have interesting agronomic characteristics, which suggest their potential as an alternative to conventional fertilisers. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T23:08:17Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3b1104980bcb47a3bc52e5d91bc6a31c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4395 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T23:08:17Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Agronomy |
| spelling | doaj.art-3b1104980bcb47a3bc52e5d91bc6a31c2023-11-19T09:10:17ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952023-08-01139229510.3390/agronomy13092295Industrial-Scale Composting of Rice Straw and Sewage SludgeIsabel Rodríguez-Carretero0Rodolfo Canet1Ana Quiñones2Ana Pérez-Piqueres3Centro para el Desarrollo de la Agricultura Sostenible, Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias, 46113 Moncada, SpainCentro para el Desarrollo de la Agricultura Sostenible, Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias, 46113 Moncada, SpainCentro para el Desarrollo de la Agricultura Sostenible, Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias, 46113 Moncada, SpainCentro para el Desarrollo de la Agricultura Sostenible, Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias, 46113 Moncada, SpainComposting is an interesting option to recycle big quantities of organic waste because it helps to mitigate different environmental problems. Complementary characteristics of rice straw (RS) and sewage sludge (SS) create a suitable mixture to be used in a composting process. This work studies industrial-scale RS and SS composting to assess both its viability and optimization. Windrow composting was conducted during two seasons. The complete characterisation (moisture, pH, electrical conductivity, total, oxidisable and water-soluble organic carbon, humic substances, organic and mineral nitrogen, macronutrients, micronutrients, heavy metals) of starting materials, samples taken periodically and final composts were carried out. During the first season, an RS:SS ratio of 1:8 (w:w fresh weight) was used, which led to a process with adequate temperatures for biodegradation, but not for ensuring materials’ sanitation. During the second season, the RS:SS ratio was increased (1:6) to enhance the energy process and, thus, temperatures. Although this increase took place, degradation slowed down as oxidisable organic carbon and water-soluble organic carbon indicated. During both seasons, final composts presented adequate pH, high N-richness, and interesting macro- and micronutrient values. Notwithstanding, they also presented certain salinity and high ammonium contents, which must be considered for their field application. The obtained composts have interesting agronomic characteristics, which suggest their potential as an alternative to conventional fertilisers.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/13/9/2295organic waste managementorganic fertilisercircular economysustainability |
| spellingShingle | Isabel Rodríguez-Carretero Rodolfo Canet Ana Quiñones Ana Pérez-Piqueres Industrial-Scale Composting of Rice Straw and Sewage Sludge Agronomy organic waste management organic fertiliser circular economy sustainability |
| title | Industrial-Scale Composting of Rice Straw and Sewage Sludge |
| title_full | Industrial-Scale Composting of Rice Straw and Sewage Sludge |
| title_fullStr | Industrial-Scale Composting of Rice Straw and Sewage Sludge |
| title_full_unstemmed | Industrial-Scale Composting of Rice Straw and Sewage Sludge |
| title_short | Industrial-Scale Composting of Rice Straw and Sewage Sludge |
| title_sort | industrial scale composting of rice straw and sewage sludge |
| topic | organic waste management organic fertiliser circular economy sustainability |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/13/9/2295 |
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