Abstract
Composting of two different types of sludge from the recycled paper manufacturing industry was carried out at laboratory scale. Physico-chemical sludge (PCS) from the de-inking process and biological sludge (BS) from the wastewater treatment plant were composted and co-composted with and without addition of a bulking material. Despite its poor initial characteristics (relatively high C/N ratio, low organic content and moisture), PCS showed excellent behaviour in the composting process, reaching and maintaining thermophilic temperatures for more than 7 days at laboratory scale, and therefore complete hygienization. Pilot scale composting of PCS was also studied, and a respiratory quotient of 1.19 was obtained, indicating a full aerobic biological process. Respiration tests showed a complete stabilization of the material, with final values of the static respiration index in the range of 1.1 mg O 2 g TOM -1 h -1 . Composting is proposed as a suitable technology for the effective recycling of this type of sludge from the recycled paper manufacturing industry. © 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1161-1167 |
| Journal | Agricultural Wastes |
| Volume | 96 |
| Issue number | 10 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jul 2005 |
Keywords
- C/N ratio
- Composting
- Hygienization
- Recycled paper manufacturing sludge
- Respiratory quotient