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Effects of Recirculation of Exhaust Air in Rotary Drum Composter on Composting Properties and Energy Consumption

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Abstract

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 \({\mathrm{NH}}_{4}^{+}-\mathrm{N}/{\mathrm{NO}}_{3}^{-}-\mathrm{N}\) 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.

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Acknowledgements

This research was funded by the Coordination Unit of Scientific Research Projects of Suleyman Demirel University [Grant No: 5071-SI1-17].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agricultural Machinery and Technologies Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Isparta University of Applied Sciences, 32260, Isparta, Turkey

    Cenk Soyöz & Kamil Ekinci

  2. Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ardahan University, 75002, Ardahan, Turkey

    Şeref Kilic

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  1. Cenk Soyöz
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  2. Kamil Ekinci
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  3. Şeref Kilic
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Correspondence to Kamil Ekinci.

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Soyöz, C., Ekinci, K. & Kilic, Ş. Effects of Recirculation of Exhaust Air in Rotary Drum Composter on Composting Properties and Energy Consumption. Waste Biomass Valor 12, 3645–3656 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12649-020-01249-1

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