Effects of a bulking agent on the reaction rate of thermophilic sewage sludge composting

The effects of a bulking agent on the reaction rate of sewage sludge composting was investigated quantitatively. Larger amounts of rice husks added as the bulking agent yielded a higher CO₂ evolution rate and a larger number of thermophiles per unit dry mass of raw sludge. The specific CO₂ evolution rate estimated for each thermophile was almost the same, however, irrespective of the mixing ratio of rice husks. Since the calculation showed that the composting solid particles were aerobic, we suggest that the addition of a bulking agent may increase air-solid interfaces where microorganisms can selectively grow to make colonies.     

The study of the aerobic bacterial microbiota and the biotoxicity in various samples of olive mill wastewaters (alpechin) during their composting process

Five different piles were prepared by mixing olive mill wastewater (alpechin) and alpechin sludge with two bulking agents (cotton waste and maize straw) and two organic wastes with high content of nitrogen (sewage sludge and poultry manure), which were composted by the Rutgers static pile composting system in a pilot plant. The aim of this work was to study the evolution of total nitrogen and different forms of organic matter and evaluate the variation in the aerobic bacterial microbiota present and biotoxicity during the composting process.In piles prepared with alpechin, the use of the maize straw as a bulking agent reduced the nitrogen losses whereas the use of sewage sludge, instead of poultry manure, with cotton waste originated the highest degradation of organic matter. In piles prepared with alpechin sludge a similar evolution of the composting process was observed. There were not great variations during composting in the aerobic bacterial microbiota present in the mixtures. However, the pile prepared with alpechin sludge and maize straw was only one to present bacteria capable of growing in alpechin, and the toxicity study showed that this was only present in the starting mixtures.     

Pile settlement and volume reduction measurement during forced-aeration static composting

In this study, a settlement measurement device was used to track the settlement of different layers in composting piles, and time courses of settlement velocity, bulk density distribution, and effective bulk density were investigated. Settlement is divided into two stages: the physical compressive settlement and the mass loss settlement. At the end of the former stage, bulk density (rho') and pile height (h) follow rho'=Ah(B), where A is a fitting parameter for the initial bulk density of the composting material, and B is the compression parameter. The physical compressibilities of composting mixtures are night-soil sludge and garden refuse (1:1) >sewage sludge and cornstalks (5:4) >night-soil sludge and garden refuse (2:3) >sewage sludge and bark (1:1). Adding the proportion of bulking agent in the proper extent effectively retarded composting settlement. Bark exhibits a better supporting capability than cornstalk does as a bulking agent.     

保氮剂对水葫芦堆肥进程及氮素损失的影响

为研究保氮剂对水葫芦堆肥进程及氮素损失的影响,以切碎的水葫芦为原料,以硫酸亚铁、腐植酸钠、过磷酸钙按75∶20∶5质量比配制成保氮剂,进行35 d的好氧堆肥试验.试验设置占堆体总质量0%(对照,CK)、1%(PN1)、2%(PN2)、3%(PN3)的保氮剂4个处理,对堆肥过程中堆体理化性质、氮组分含量、氨挥发及氮素损失率进行监测.结果表明: 堆肥高温期,保氮剂处理的堆温明显高于CK,堆体含水量则在降温期显著低于CK(P<0.05).堆肥完成后,保氮剂处理的全氮、有机氮含量均显著增加,以PN3处理最高,其全氮、有机氮含量分别比CK高16.3%和13.2%;同时,PN1、PN2、PN3处理的氨挥发总量分别比CK低25.9%、31.5%、42.4%,氮素固定率则分别达31.3%、40.7%、72.2%.表明水葫芦堆肥过程中添加保氮剂可加快启动速度、缩短堆肥时间,并能减少氨挥发、氮素损失.总体上,以PN3处理效果最佳.     

填充料和通气对污泥堆肥过程的影响

试验研究了不同配比的以料和通气状况对污泥堆肥起始升温的影响。结果表明,填充料含是量高的配比升温速度明显比填充料含量低的配比快;高填充料配比的堆体（填充料占堆料的１／２～１／３）在超始升温阶段可以不进行氢气的供给;低填充料的配比和加入回流堆肥的配比（填充料占堆料的１／４～１／９）,由于堆体的孔隙少,则必须进行通气量的调节。     

Characteristics of rice straw and sewage sludge as composting materials in Valencia (Spain)

This work supports the idea that composting can be useful for minimizing the rice straw and sewage sludge environmental impact. Several physical, chemical and microbiological properties of these raw materials were analyzed. The characteristics of the rice straw were complementary to those of the sewage sludge for the application of composting. The C/N ratios suitable for a rapid increased in microbial activity were the lowest (17-24). A temperature of 62 degrees C during 48 h removed pathogenic microorganisms from rice straw and sewage sludge mixture. The results obtained in the present work suggested that these materials could be use in the composting process.     

Spatial distribution of dynamics characteristic in the intermittent aeration static composting of sewage sludge

Spatial differences and temporal changes in biological activity characteristics were investigated in a static reactor using intermittent aeration during the sewage sludge composting process. Pumice was proposed as a bulking agent in the composting of sewage sludge. Variations in temperature, moisture, oxygen level, volatile solids, specific oxygen uptake rate (SOUR) and dehydrogenase activity (DHA) were determined during 28 days of composting. The peak temperature in the upper region of the reactor was 10 °C higher than that at the bottom. The moisture level in the middle region was significantly higher than that of other positions. Analysis of SOUR and DHA indicated that the lowest level of sludge stability was at the bottom region. These spatial and temporal differences in biochemical dynamics in the static system could extend the composting period and affect product uniformity.     

Influence of carbon and buffer amendment on ammonia volatilization in composting

Laboratory-scale experiments were carried out to test a mathematical model of the nitrogen dynamics in a composting process. The main ingredients of composting materials were wheat straw and dairy manure. The influence of (a) two carbon amendments, i.e. molasses and office paper, and (b) two chemicals forming buffer solutions on ammonia volatilization were investigated. Nitrogen losses amounted to 12-25% of initial nitrogen, in which ammonia volatilization accounted for 60-99%. Addition of molasses, a readily available form of carbon, reduced cumulative ammonia emissions substantially, but office paper, i.e. cellulose, had only a small influence. The addition of buffering chemicals did not significantly reduce ammonia volatilization.     

城市污泥强制通风堆肥过程中的生物学和化学变化特征

采用间竭式强制通风堆肥法进行的肥堆体积约4m3,堆肥时间为53d的污泥堆肥试验表明,堆肥的第2天即达高温阶段(≥55℃)并能保持8d,平均最高温度达68℃,局部温度达74℃.粪大肠杆菌由开始时的1.41×105个·g-1降至试验结束时的2.32×101个·g-1.污泥堆肥过程中挥发性固体,总有机C、水溶性有机C、固体有机 C/N比和水溶性有机 C/有机 N比下降明显,而 N、P及重金属含量有所升高.随着堆肥的进程,在前1周堆肥过程中产生的氨氮大幅下降,硝酸盐含量随之升高.相应地,pH在第1周内升高,随后降低.堆肥40d左右,水芹(Lepidiumsativum L.)种子发芽指数即可达 80%.综合堆肥过程中堆温和化学与生物学变化特点,表明污泥堆肥在40d左右基本上接近腐熟,50d后达到完全腐熟.产品外观呈黑褐色,蓬松,无明显异味.     

The modelling of combined strategies to achieve thermophilic composting of sludge in cold region

Low ambient temperature presents a significant technical challenge for efficient operation of the composting facility located in cold region. In this study, mathematical model was used as a tool to develop the operational strategy to accomplish thermophilic composting of sewage sludge in the cold-climate environment. The correlations between composting temperature, water volatilization, heat loss rate, organics degradation and ambient temperature, feedstock temperature, sludge moisture and aeration rate were predicted and evaluated by using the numerical simulation method. The feasibility of optimizing air supply, adjusting feedstock moisture and elevating starting temperature in the low temperature surroundings was investigated. The results obtained from both mathematical modelling and pilot-scale composting experiments demonstrated that the combined strategies of the three approaches could preliminarily achieve material drying, pathogen inactivation and organics stabilization within 20 days at the ambient temperature as low as −24 °C. However, it seems difficult for anyone of these approaches to meet the requirement of thermophilic composting, independently.     

Bio-degradation of olive mill wastewater sludge by its co-composting with agricultural wastes

The use of maize straw (MS) or cotton waste (CW) as bulking agents in the composting of olive mill wastewater (OMW) sludge was compared by studying the organic matter (OM) mineralisation and humification processes during composting and the characteristics of the end products. Both composts were prepared in a pilot-plant using the Rutgers static-pile system. The use of CW instead of MS to compost OMW sludge extended both the thermophilic and bio-oxidative phases of the process, with higher degradation of polymers (mainly lignin and cellulose), a greater formation of nitrates, higher total nitrogen losses and a lower biological nitrogen fixation. The CW produced a compost with a more stabilised OM and more highly polymerised humic-like substances. In the pile with CW and OMW sludge, OM losses followed a first-order kinetic equation, due to OM degradation being greater at the beginning of the composting and remaining almost constant until the end of the process. However, in the pile with MS and OMW sludge this parameter followed a zero-order kinetic equation, since OM degraded throughout the process. The germination index indicated the reduction of phytotoxicity during composting.     

High-rate composting of barley dregs with sewage sludge in a pilot scale bioreactor

The feasibility of high-rate composting of barley dregs and sewage sludge was examined using a pilot scale bioreactor. A central composite design (CCD) was used to optimize the mix ratio of barley dregs/sewage sludge and moisture content. The performance of the bioreactor was monitored as a function of carbon decomposition rate (CDR) and total volatile solids (TVS) loss rate. The optimum range of mix ratio and moisture content was found to be 35-40% and 55-60%, respectively. High CO2 evolution rate (CER) and TVS loss rate were observed after 3 days of the composting and the compost was matured/stable after 7 days. Cardinal temperature model with inflection (CTMI) was used to analyze the compost stability with respect to CER as a parameter of composting efficiency. After examining the phytotoxicity, the compost can be promoted for land application.     

稻田氮肥的氨挥发损失与稻季大气氮的湿沉降

通过田间小区与大田试验,对稻季期间氮肥的氨挥发损失和大气氮湿沉降状况进行了收集和监测。结果表明,每次施肥后的1～3日内氨挥发损失达到最大值,氨挥发损失受当地气候条件(如光照、温度、湿度、风速、降雨量)、施肥时期以及田面水的NH4^+-N浓度等因素的影响,大气氮湿沉降与施肥量和降雨量有关,稻季内由湿沉降带入土壤或地表水中的氮为7．51kg·hm^-2。其中,NH4^+-N的比例为39．8％～73.2％,平均为55．5％;稻季中总氨挥发量与湿沉降的NH4^+-N平均浓度和总沉降量的相关系数分别达到0．988和0．996,呈显著相关性。     

Ammonia volatilization from a flooded tropical soil

Summary Ammonia volatilization, which follows upon the application of nitrogenous fertilizers to a flooded tropical soil, was directly measured in the greenhouse and in the field. Most of the ammonia volatilization losses occurred during the first 9 days after nitrogen application. Ammonia volatilization increased markedly with increases in soil pH. Nitrogen losses from ammonium sulfate applied to soils whose pH values were below 7.5 were very small. The losses from urea were much greater than those from ammonium sulfate. Mixing the fertilizer materials with the puddled soil reduced the losses. Ammonia losses from flooded soil were larger than from dry soil, and drying of a flooded soil reduced the duration and magnitude of ammonia volatilization. It is suggested that only a small amount of nitrogen is being lost through ammonia volatilization from many lowland rice soils. re]19750820     

A new method for conservation of nitrogen in aerobic composting processes

Several factors, such as pH, C/N ratio, temperature, mixing and turning, and aeration rate, could affect the loss of ammonia in composting reactions. Substantial loss of ammonia can reduce the nutrient value of the compost product and may lead to a severe odor problem in the composting facility. A new method for conservation of ammonia in composting was proposed and tested in this study. The ammonia being produced during the composting was precipitated into struvite crystals by addition of Mg and P salts. Ammonia volatilization was greatly reduced by this method and it also contributed to a remarkable increase in total ammoniacal-N (TAN) content in the compost, reaching up to 1.4% of dry mass. This value of TAN content was 3-5 times higher than that in normal compost. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analyses confirmed the formation of struvite crystals in the aerobic composting process.     

生物炭对农田土壤氨挥发的影响机制研究进展

降低土壤氨挥发量是农田生态系统中减少土壤氮素损失、提高氮肥利用率的关键途径之一。生物炭具有独特的理化性质,施入土壤后可改变土壤理化性状,影响土壤氮素循环,并对农田土壤中氨挥发产生重要的影响。本文首先介绍了稻田和旱田两种土地利用方式下农田氨挥发过程及其影响因素(气候条件、土壤环境、施肥管理等);其次,重点综述了生物炭对农田生态系统氨挥发影响的研究进展,并从物理吸附机制、气液平衡机制、生物化学过程调节机制等方面探讨了生物炭介入下农田土壤氨挥发的响应机制,认为土壤氨挥发减排的响应主要是基于生物炭表面含氧官能团对土壤NH₄⁺和NH₃的吸附作用及促进土壤硝化作用;而生物炭增加土壤氨挥发排放主要与生物炭提高土壤pH值和透气性、增强土壤有机氮矿化微生物活性有关。最后,对生物炭减少土壤氨挥发、提高氮肥利用率的研究方向进行了展望。     

辽河下游平原不同水分条件下稻田氨挥发

应用通气密闭室法,研究了辽河下游平原不同水分条件下潮棕壤稻田生态系统施用氮肥后的NH3挥发.结果表明稻田施用氮肥后有明显NH3挥发损失,整个生长期间总挥发量为11.64～34.01 kg N·hm-2,占施氮量的4.66%～11.66%;不同施肥时期的损失量为分蘖期＞孕穗期＞移栽前,挥发高峰出现在施氮肥后的2～4 d内.稻田水分状况对NH3挥发损失具有重要影响,田面积水条件下NH3挥发总量和肥料氮损失率都较大,且不同施氮水平间差异显著(P＜0.05),挥发量随施氮量的增加而增加;田面不积水条件下NH3挥发量相对较小.氮肥用量、田面水NH4 浓度和pH是影响NH3挥发的重要因素;氮肥用量为180 kg N·hm-2时,不同磷水平对NH3挥发的影响不显著.     

Ammonia emissions during vermicomposting of sheep manure

The effect of C:N ratio, temperature and water content on ammonia volatilization during two-phase composting of sheep manure was evaluated. The aerobic phase was conducted under field conditions. This was followed by Phase II, vermicomposting, conducted in the laboratory under controlled conditions of water content (70% and 80%) and temperature (15 and 22 °C). The addition of extra straw lead to a 10% reduction in NH3 volatilization compared to sheep manure composted without extra straw. Temperature and water content significantly effected ammonia volatilization at 0 day in Phase II, with a water content of 70% and temperature of 22 °C leading to greater losses of ammonia. Nitrogen loss by ammonia volatilization during vermicomposting ranged from 8% to 15% of the initial N content. The addition of extra straw did not result in significant differences in total carbon content following vermicomposting.     

Influence of bulking agent on sewage sludge composting process

Four types of compost, consisting of mixtures of Acacia dealbata (A) with sewage sludge (SS) were studied in a laboratory reactor. Composting time was 80 days and parameters monitored over this period included temperature, organic matter, pH, CO₂, O₂, C/N ratio, Kjeldahl-N, as well as maturity indexes. All the studied parameters were influenced by the bulking amount used. The highest profile temperature measured was for the A/SS 1/2 (w/w) mixture that reached a maxima temperature of 67 °C and lower maximum temperatures of 52, 48 and 46 °C were observed for A/SS 1/3, 1/1 and 1/0 composts, respectively. The kinetic model used showed that a descent of sewage sludge in the composting mixtures favored the enzyme–substrate affinity. However, an increase in depending on the parameters of the process factors was observed when the sewage sludge ratio was increased in mixtures. The optimal amounts of sewage sludge for co-composting with Acacia indicate that moderate amounts of sludge (1/1) would be the best compromise.     

水氮互作对冬小麦田氨挥发损失和产量的影响

2015-2017年利用水肥渗漏研究池,以‘石麦15’(SM15)为材料,采用随机区组设计,设置2个氮肥类型(尿素和有机肥牛粪)、2个施氮水平(180和90 kg·hm^-2)、2个灌溉水平(500和250 mm)进行试验,探讨水、氮及其互作对冬小麦田土壤氨挥发损失量和籽粒产量的影响.结果表明: 施肥以后土壤氨挥发持续7 d左右.2015-2016年施肥后各处理土壤氨挥发损失总量为13.36～46.04 kg·hm^-2,氨挥发氮肥损失率为8.9%～41.1%,2016-2017年各处理土壤氨挥发损失总量为14.78～52.99 kg·hm^-2,氨挥发氮肥损失率为9.2%～45.8%;两年试验内氨挥发损失量最多的处理为W₂U₁(施尿素N 180 kg·hm^-2,灌溉量250 mm),氨挥发损失率最高的处理为W₂U₂(施尿素N 90 kg·hm^-2,灌溉量250 mm),合理的水氮管理可以显著降低土壤氨挥发损失率,施用尿素造成的土壤氨挥发损失为有机肥的2～3倍.两年试验均以W₁M₁(施牛粪N 180 kg·hm^-2,灌溉量500 mm)的小麦产量最高,灌溉量、肥料类型和施氮量互作对冬小麦产量影响极显著.综合氨挥发损失量和冬小麦籽粒产量,本试验条件下,水氮互作效应显著,冬小麦生育期内总灌溉量500 mm、施有机肥180 kg·hm^-2时冬小麦季土壤氨挥发损失率较低,产量最高,施用有机肥的增产效果优于尿素,可作为黄淮海地区冬小麦实际生产中增产增效的水肥优化管理方式.