Evaluation Process of Municipal Solid Waste Composting for Methane Gas Generation

Abstract

One of the most versatile and remunerative techniques for handling biodegradable solid wastes is composting. A large variety of such wastes of plant, animal, and synthetic origins can be gainfully composted, at scales varying from a household bin to a large industry. Compost also has an inexhaustible market as a soil conditioner and fertilizer. Apart from being a source of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and other nutrients for plants, compost is also believed to suppress soil-borne diseases in plants. These virtues make composting an ideal option for processing the enormous quantities of biodegradable solid wastes that are generated in ever increasing quantities. An in-vessel composting system was investigated in this survey. in a 20 L composting tank using 5  kg of a simulated food waste mixture including potatoes, carrots, beef, steamed rice, leaves, and garden soil as the composting raw material. Physical and chemical parameters were measured throughout the composting period. The result proved that anaerobic in-vessel composting can process large amounts of wastes reducing starting weights to 70%.