Difference between revisions of "Co-composting"

From Akvopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
(References and external links)
 
(4 intermediate revisions by one other user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
<small-title />
+
{|style="float: left;"
<!-- table at top of page with logo, picture, Application level, Management level, and input-output tables -->
+
|{{Language-box|english_link=Co-composting|french_link=Co-Compostage|spanish_link=Compostaje|hindi_link=coming soon|malayalam_link=coming soon|tamil_link=coming soon | korean_link=coming soon | chinese_link=Coming soon | indonesian_link=Coming soon | japanese_link=Coming soon}}
 +
|}
 
{|width="100%"
 
{|width="100%"
 
|style="width:50%;"|{{santable_new|
 
|style="width:50%;"|{{santable_new|
 
sys1=[[Single Pit System|1]]|
 
sys1=[[Single Pit System|1]]|
sys2=[[Blackwater Treatment System with Infiltration|5]]|
+
sys2=[[Blackwater Treatment System with Infiltration|6]]|
sys3=[[Blackwater Treatment System with Sewerage|6]]|
+
sys3=[[Blackwater Treatment System with Effluent Transport|7]]|
sys4=[[(Semi-) Centralized Treatment System|7]]|
+
sys4=[[Blackwater Transport to (Semi-) Centralized Treatment System|8]]|
sys5=[[Sewerage System with Urine Diversion|8]]|
+
sys5=[[Sewerage System with Urine Diversion|9]]|
 
sys6=|
 
sys6=|
 
sys7=|
 
sys7=|
 
sys8=|
 
sys8=|
 +
sys9=|
 
pic=Co_composting.png|
 
pic=Co_composting.png|
 
ApplHousehold=|
 
ApplHousehold=|
Line 18: Line 20:
 
ManShared=X|
 
ManShared=X|
 
ManPublic=XX|
 
ManPublic=XX|
Input1=Faecal Sludge |Input2=Organics |Input3=|Input4=|Input5=|
+
Input1=Sludge |Input2=Organics |Input3=|Input4=|Input5=|
Output1=Compost/EcoHumus |Output2= | Output3= | Output4= | Output5=
+
Output1=Compost |Output2= | Output3= | Output4= | Output5=
|english_link=Co-composting
 
|french_link=Co-Compostage
 
|spanish_link=Compostaje
 
 
}}
 
}}
|[[Image:Co_composting.png |right|400px]]
+
|[[Image:Co_composting.png |right|500px]]
 
|}
 
|}
 
 
<br>
 
<br>
 
----
 
----
Line 32: Line 30:
  
 
[[Image:Icon_co-composting.png |right|80px]]
 
[[Image:Icon_co-composting.png |right|80px]]
'''Co-Composting is the controlled aerobic degradation of organics using more than one materials (Faecal sludge and Organic solid waste). Faecal sludge has a high moisture and nitrogen content while biodegradable solid waste is high in organic carbon and has good bulking properties (i.e. it allows air to flow and circulate). By combining the two, the benefits of each can be used to optimize the process and the product. For dewatered sludges, a ratio of 1:2 to 1:3 of dewatered sludge to solid waste should be used. Liquid sludges should be used at a ratio of 1:5 to 1:10 of liquid sludge to solid waste.'''
+
 
 +
'''Co-composting is the controlled aerobic degradation of organics, using more than one feedstock (faecal sludge and organic solid waste). Faecal sludge has a high moisture and nitrogen content, while biodegradable solid waste is high in organic carbon and has good bulking properties (i.e., it allows air to flow and circulate). By combining the two, the benefits of each can be used to optimize the process and the product.'''
  
 
[[Image:Co-composting.PNG‎|thumb|right|200px|[[Co-composting |Co-composting]], in Yemen (for credits, click the picture)]]
 
[[Image:Co-composting.PNG‎|thumb|right|200px|[[Co-composting |Co-composting]], in Yemen (for credits, click the picture)]]
  
 
<br>
 
<br>
====Open co-composting====
+
There are two types of co-composting designs: open and in-vessel. In open composting, the mixed material (sludge and solid waste) is piled into long heaps called windrows and left to decompose. Windrow piles are periodically turned to provide oxygen and ensure that all parts of the pile are subjected to the same heat treatment. In-vessel composting requires controlled moisture and air supply, as well
There are two types of Co-Composting designs: open and in-vessel. In open composting, the mixed material (sludge and solid waste) is piled into long heaps called windrows and left to decompose. Windrow piles are turned periodically to provide oxygen and ensure that all parts of the pile are subjected to the same heat treatment. Windrow piles should be at least 1m high, and should be insulated with compost or soil to promote an even distribution of heat inside the pile. Depending on the climate and available space, the facility may be covered to prevent excess evaporation and protection from rain.
+
as mechanical mixing. Therefore, it is not generally appropriate for decentralized facilities. Although the composting process seems like a simple, passive technology, a well-functioning facility requires careful planning and design to avoid failure.
  
To adequately treat excreta together with other organic materials in windrows, the WHO (1989) recommends active windrow co-composting with other organic materials for one month at 55-60°C, followed by two to four months curing to stabilise the compost. This achieves an acceptable level of pathogen kill for targeted health values.
+
===Design Considerations===  
 
+
The facility should be located close to the sources of organic waste and faecal sludge to minimize transport costs, but still at a distance
====In-vessel co-composting====
+
away from homes and businesses to minimize nuisances. Depending on the climate and available space, the facility may be covered to prevent excess evaporation and/or provide protection from rain and wind. For dewatered sludge, a ratio of 1:2 to 1:3 of sludge to solid waste should be used. Liquid sludge should be used at a ratio of 1:5 to 1:10 of sludge to solid waste. Windrow piles should be at least 1 m high and insulated with compost or soil to promote an even distribution of heat inside the pile.
In-vessel composting requires controlled moisture and air supply, as well as mechanical mixing. Therefore, it is not generally appropriate for decentralized facilities. Although the composting process seems like a simple, passive technology, a well-working facility requires careful planning and design to avoid failure.
 
  
 
<br>
 
<br>
 
{{procontable | pro=
 
{{procontable | pro=
- Through co-composting, a useful and safe end product is generated that combines nutrients and organic material.  <br>- Easy to set up and maintain with appropriate training <br>- Provides a valuable resource that can improve local agriculture and food production <br>- High removal of helminth eggs possible (< 1 egg viable egg/g TS) <br>- Can be built and repaired with locally available materials <br>- Toilet paper is decomposed <br>- Low capital cost; low operating cost <br>- Potential for local job creation and income generation <br>- No electrical energy required
+
- Relatively straightforward to set up and maintain with appropriate training <br>
| con=  - Long storage times <br>- Requires expert design and operation <br>- limited control of vectors and pest attraction <br>- Labour intensive <br>- Lower cost variants requires a large land area (which is well located)
+
- Provides a valuable resource that can improve local agriculture and food production <br>
 +
- A high removal of helminth eggs is possible (< 1 viable egg/g TS) <br>
 +
- Can be built and repaired with locally available materials <br>
 +
- Low capital and operating costs <br>
 +
- No electrical energy required
 +
| con=   
 +
- Requires a large land area (that is well located) <br>
 +
- Long storage times <br>
 +
- Requires expert design and operation by skilled personnel <br>
 +
- Labour intensive <br>
 +
- Compost is too bulky to be economically transported over long distances
 
}}
 
}}
  
===Adequacy===  
+
===Appropriateness===  
A Co-Composting facility is only appropriate when there is an available source of well-sorted biodegradable solid waste. Mixed solid waste with plastics and garbage must first be sorted. When done carefully, Co-Composting can produce a clean, pleasant, beneficial product that is safe to touch and work with. It is a good way to reduce the pathogen load in sludge.
+
A co-composting facility is only appropriate when there is an available source of well-sorted biodegradable solid waste. Solid waste containing plastics and garbage must first be sorted. When carefully done, co-composting can produce a clean, pleasant, beneficial soil conditioner. Since moisture plays an important role in the composting process, covered facilities are especially recommended where there is heavy rainfall.
 
 
Depending on the climate (rainfall, temperature and wind) the Co-Composting facility can be built to accommodate the conditions. Since moisture plays an important role in the composting process, covered facilities are especially recommended where there is heavy rainfall. The facility should be located close to the sources of organic waste and faecal sludge (to minimize transport) but to minimize nuisances, it should not be too close to homes and businesses. A well-trained staff is necessary for the operation and maintenance of the facility.
 
  
Adding excreta, especially urine, to household organics produces compost with a higher nutrient value (N-P-K) than compost produced only from kitchen and garden wastes. Co-composting integrates excreta and solid waste management, optimizing efficiency.
+
Apart from technical considerations, composting only makes sense if there is a demand for the product (from paying customers). In order to find buyers, a consistent and good quality compost has to be produced; this depends on good initial sorting and a well-controlled thermophilic process.
  
 
===Health Aspects/Acceptance===  
 
===Health Aspects/Acceptance===  
Although the finished compost can be safely handled, care should be taken when handling the faecal sludge. Workers should wear protective clothing and appropriate respiratory equipment if the material is found to be dusty.
+
Maintaining the temperature in the pile between 55 and 60 °C can reduce the pathogen load in sludge to a level safe to touch and work with. Although the finished compost can be safely handled, care should be taken when dealing with the sludge, regardless of the previous treatment. If the material is found to be dusty, workers should wear protective clothing and use appropriate respiratory equipment. Proper ventilation and dust control are important.
  
===Upgrading===  
+
===Operation & Maintenance===  
Robust grinders for shredding large pieces of solid waste (i.e. small branches and coconut shells) and pile turners help to optimize the process, reduce manual labour, and ensure a more homogenous end product.
+
The mixture must be carefully designed so that it has the proper C:N ratio, moisture and oxygen content. If facilities exist, it would be useful to monitor helminth egg inactivation as a proxy measure of sterilization. A well-trained staff is necessary for the operation and
 +
maintenance of the facility. Maintenance staff must carefully monitor the quality of the input material, and keep track of the inflows, outflows, turning schedules, and maturing times to ensure a high quality product. Forced aeration systems must be carefully controlled
 +
and monitored.
  
===Maintenance===
+
Turning must be periodically done with either a front-end loader or by hand. Robust grinders for shredding large pieces of solid waste (i.e., small branches and coconut shells) and pile turners help to optimize the process, reduce manual labour, and ensure a more homogenous end product.
The mixture must be carefully designed so that it has the proper C:N ratio, moisture and oxygen content. If facilities exist, it would be useful to monitor helminth egg inactivation as a proxy measure of sterilization. Maintenance staff must carefully monitor the quality of the input materials, keep track of the inflows, outflows, turning schedules, and maturing times to ensure a high quality product. Manual turning must be done periodically with either a front-end loader or by hand. Forced aeration systems must be carefully controlled and monitored.
 
  
 
===References and external links===
 
===References and external links===
  
* Cofie, O., et al. (2006). Solid–liquid separation of faecal Sludge using drying beds in Ghana: Implications for nutrient recycling in urban agriculture. Water Research 40(1): 75–82.  
+
* Hoornweg, D., Thomas, L. and Otten, L. (2000). [http://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/483421468740129529/pdf/multi0page.pdf Composting and Its Applicability in Developing Countries]. Urban Waste Management Working Paper Series No. 8. The World Bank, Washington, D.C., US.
+
 
* Koné, D., et al. (2007). Helminth eggs inactivation efficiency by faecal Sludge dewatering and co-composting in tropical climates. Water Research 41(19): 4397–4402.
+
* Koné, D., Cofie, O., Zurbrügg, C., Gallizzi, K., Moser, D., Drescher, S. and Strauss, M. (2007). [https://ocw.un-ihe.org/pluginfile.php/4127/mod_resource/content/1/Helminth%20egg%20inactivation%20efficiency_Kone%20et%20al_WR41_2007.pdf Helminth Eggs Inactivation Efficiency by Faecal Sludge Dewatering and Co-Composting in Tropical Climates]. Water Research 41 (19): 4397-4402.
+
 
* Obeng, LA. and Wright, FW. (1987). Integrated Resource Recover. The Co-Composting of Domestic Sold and Human Wastes. The World Bank + UNDP, Washington.
+
* Obeng, L. A. and Wright, F. W. (1987). [https://www.ircwash.org/sites/default/files/Obeng-1987-Domestic.pdf Integrated Resource Recovery. The Co-Composting of Domestic Solid and Human Wastes]. The World Bank and UNDP, Washington, D.C., US.
+
 
* Shuval, HI., et al. (1981). Appropriate Technology for Water Supply and Sanitation; Night-soil Composting. UNDP/WB Contribution to the IDWSSD. The World Bank, Washington. The following reports can all be found in the Faecal Sludge Co-Composting section of the Sandec Website: www.sandec.ch  
+
* Rouse, J., Rothenberger, S. and Zurbrügg, C. (2008): Marketing Compost, a Guide for Compost Producers in Low and Middle-Income Countries. Eawag (Department Sandec), Dübendorf, CH.
+
:Available at: [http://www.sandec.ch sandec.ch]
* Montangero, A., et al. (2002). Co-composting of Faecal Sludge and Soil Waste. Sandec/IWMI, Dübendorf, Switzerland.  
+
 
+
* Strande, L., Ronteltap, M. and Brdjanovic, D. (Eds.) (2014). [https://www.susana.org/en/knowledge-hub/resources-and-publications/library/details/3591 Faecal Sludge Management. Systems Approach for Implementation and Operation]. IWA Publishing, London, UK. (Detailed book compiling the current state of knowledge on all aspects related to FSM)
* Strauss, M., et al. (2003). Co-composting of Faecal Sludge and Municipal Organic Waste- A Literature and State-of- Knowledge Review. Sandec/IMWI, Dübendorf, Switzerland.
+
 
+
* Strauss, M., Drescher, S., Zurbrügg, C., Montangero, A., Cofie, O. and Drechsel, P. (2003). [https://www.susana.org/en/knowledge-hub/resources-and-publications/library/details/1548 Co-Composting of Faecal Sludge and Municipal Organic Waste]. A Literature and State-of-Knowledge Review. Eawag (Department Sandec), Dübendorf, CH and IWMI, Accra, GH.
* Drescher. S., Zurbrügg, C., Enayetullah, I. and Singha, MAD. (2006). Decentralised Composting for Cities of Low- and Middle-Income Countries - A User’s Manual. Eawag/Sandec and Waste Concern, Dhaka.
 
  
 
===Acknowledgements===
 
===Acknowledgements===
 
{{:Acknowledgements Sanitation}}
 
{{:Acknowledgements Sanitation}}

Latest revision as of 01:32, 25 February 2021

English Français Español भारत മലയാളം தமிழ் 한국어 中國 Indonesia Japanese
Applicable in systems:
1, 6 , 7 , 8 , 9
Level of Application
Household
Neighbourhood X
City XX

 

Inputs
Sludge, Organics


Level of management
Household
Shared X
Public XX

 

Outputs
Compost
Co composting.png




Icon co-composting.png

Co-composting is the controlled aerobic degradation of organics, using more than one feedstock (faecal sludge and organic solid waste). Faecal sludge has a high moisture and nitrogen content, while biodegradable solid waste is high in organic carbon and has good bulking properties (i.e., it allows air to flow and circulate). By combining the two, the benefits of each can be used to optimize the process and the product.

Co-composting, in Yemen (for credits, click the picture)


There are two types of co-composting designs: open and in-vessel. In open composting, the mixed material (sludge and solid waste) is piled into long heaps called windrows and left to decompose. Windrow piles are periodically turned to provide oxygen and ensure that all parts of the pile are subjected to the same heat treatment. In-vessel composting requires controlled moisture and air supply, as well as mechanical mixing. Therefore, it is not generally appropriate for decentralized facilities. Although the composting process seems like a simple, passive technology, a well-functioning facility requires careful planning and design to avoid failure.

Design Considerations

The facility should be located close to the sources of organic waste and faecal sludge to minimize transport costs, but still at a distance away from homes and businesses to minimize nuisances. Depending on the climate and available space, the facility may be covered to prevent excess evaporation and/or provide protection from rain and wind. For dewatered sludge, a ratio of 1:2 to 1:3 of sludge to solid waste should be used. Liquid sludge should be used at a ratio of 1:5 to 1:10 of sludge to solid waste. Windrow piles should be at least 1 m high and insulated with compost or soil to promote an even distribution of heat inside the pile.


Advantages Disadvantages/limitations
- Relatively straightforward to set up and maintain with appropriate training

- Provides a valuable resource that can improve local agriculture and food production
- A high removal of helminth eggs is possible (< 1 viable egg/g TS)
- Can be built and repaired with locally available materials
- Low capital and operating costs
- No electrical energy required

- Requires a large land area (that is well located)

- Long storage times
- Requires expert design and operation by skilled personnel
- Labour intensive
- Compost is too bulky to be economically transported over long distances


Appropriateness

A co-composting facility is only appropriate when there is an available source of well-sorted biodegradable solid waste. Solid waste containing plastics and garbage must first be sorted. When carefully done, co-composting can produce a clean, pleasant, beneficial soil conditioner. Since moisture plays an important role in the composting process, covered facilities are especially recommended where there is heavy rainfall.

Apart from technical considerations, composting only makes sense if there is a demand for the product (from paying customers). In order to find buyers, a consistent and good quality compost has to be produced; this depends on good initial sorting and a well-controlled thermophilic process.

Health Aspects/Acceptance

Maintaining the temperature in the pile between 55 and 60 °C can reduce the pathogen load in sludge to a level safe to touch and work with. Although the finished compost can be safely handled, care should be taken when dealing with the sludge, regardless of the previous treatment. If the material is found to be dusty, workers should wear protective clothing and use appropriate respiratory equipment. Proper ventilation and dust control are important.

Operation & Maintenance

The mixture must be carefully designed so that it has the proper C:N ratio, moisture and oxygen content. If facilities exist, it would be useful to monitor helminth egg inactivation as a proxy measure of sterilization. A well-trained staff is necessary for the operation and maintenance of the facility. Maintenance staff must carefully monitor the quality of the input material, and keep track of the inflows, outflows, turning schedules, and maturing times to ensure a high quality product. Forced aeration systems must be carefully controlled and monitored.

Turning must be periodically done with either a front-end loader or by hand. Robust grinders for shredding large pieces of solid waste (i.e., small branches and coconut shells) and pile turners help to optimize the process, reduce manual labour, and ensure a more homogenous end product.

References and external links

  • Rouse, J., Rothenberger, S. and Zurbrügg, C. (2008): Marketing Compost, a Guide for Compost Producers in Low and Middle-Income Countries. Eawag (Department Sandec), Dübendorf, CH.
Available at: sandec.ch

Acknowledgements

Eawag compendium cover.png

The material on this page was adapted from:

Elizabeth Tilley, Lukas Ulrich, Christoph Lüthi, Philippe Reymond and Christian Zurbrügg (2014). Compendium of Sanitation Systems and Technologies, published by Sandec, the Department of Water and Sanitation in Developing Countries of Eawag, the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland.

The 2nd edition publication is available in English. French and Spanish are yet to come.