Mass and energy balance for a rotating-drum composting plant

Paul Eades, Charles Banks, Sonia Heaven, Mark Walker

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The Bioganix in-vessel composting system at Leominster, UK, received 33 515 t of waste from January 2006 to December 2007, of which 9200 t was source-segregated biodegradable municipal waste (BMW). The process operated with a nominal in-vessel retention time of 4 days. Mass balances indicated 17·1% reduction (excluding reject materials). The process was estimated to consume 186 kWh/t of waste processed as electrical energy for static plant and a further 9·6 kWh as diesel for mobile plant. Taking into account transportation and application of the compost, the estimated consumption was ~560 kWh/t of waste processed, calculated as primary energy (including electrical conversion). 96·7% of this was for processing; transportation consumed 1·3% and application 2·0%. The mixed waste compost had a high nitrogen content but, for a typical source-segregated biodegradable municipal waste, the energy potentially offset from nitrogen fixation is likely to be considerably less than that used in processing.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers-Waste and Resource Management
PublisherICE Publishing Ltd.
Pages151-159
Number of pages9
Volume164
Edition3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2011

Keywords

  • natural resources
  • recycling & reuse of materials
  • waste management & disposal

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