ICEH Papers

STUDY ON BIODEGRADATION OF FRUIT WASTE AEROBIC COMPOSTING

Saravannan, S., T.Meenambal, R.N.Uma “Study On Biodegradation Of Fruit Waste Aerobic Composting” in Martin J. Bunch, V. Madha Suresh and T. Vasantha Kumaran, eds., Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Environment and Health, Chennai, India, 15-17 December, 2003. Chennai: Department of Geography, University of Madras and Faculty of Environmental Studies, York University. Pages 441 – 450.

Abstract:

A study was convened to assess the biodegradability of fruit wastes by using In-Vessel Non Flow Reactor type Aerobic Composting. The study was enunciated by studying the characteristics of the selected fruit waste. The composting process was executed under forced aeration at a rate of 1 litre/kg/min in four reactors with the C/N ratio of the fruit wastes. The wastes were initially allowed to remain undisturbed in the reactor for 6 days to avoid thermal instability. The samples were then analyzed once in four days for studying the various physical, chemical and biological characteristics. After 26 days the compost of desired quality was obtained. From the study, it is inferred that the fruit wastes have good biodegradable characteristics that are well exploited by the In Vessel Non flow aerobic composting technique to produce a quality compost material in a quick pace. The optimum C/N Ratio to be present in the fruit wastes for achieving high quality compost are also identified in this study.

View Full Format (pdf)

Back to Papers