BIO COMPOST
 

INTRODUCTION
 

Composting is a biological oxidation process in which organic material is decomposed by a mixed microbial population in warm, moist, aerobic environment. During the process degradable organic substrate undergoes chemical and  physical transformation to give a stable humified end product. The product is of value in agriculture both as an organic  fertilizer and as soil improver.

COMPOSTING OF PRESSMUD AND DISTILLERY EFFLUENT IN HEAP AND WINDROW SYSTEM

In simple heap systems, the generated pressmud is formed into long heaps known as windrows using equipment
such as tipper (or) front loader. The height and width of the triangular heaps should be approximately 1.5m height
and 3.0m wide. The windrows may be of any length depending upon space available.

PROCESS PRICIPLES

The process of composting is a complex interactions between the organic waste, micro-organisms, moisture and
oxygen. In addition to moisture and oxygen micro-organisms require a source of carbon, nitrogen, phosphrous,
potassium and certain trace element. Since pressmud and distillery effluent contain appreciable quantity of carbon and
other nutrients, it could be utilised for composting.

Process Parameters

MOISTURE

Since it is aerobic composting process, the moisture content should be maintained between 55-65%.  If it exceeds
65% anaerobic condition will prevail which will be detrimental to the desired biodegradation process. Effluent
addition should be made (after assessing the moisture content in windrows) when moisture level come down to 50%.
Immediately after sparying, it should be mixed using aerotiller.

AERATION AND CULTURE ADDITION

Bacterial culture which enable quick bioconversion of organics is sprayed on the pressmud in the begining and mixed
thorougly using aerotiller.  This mixing makes the pressmud aerable and it encourages the decomposition process by added culture. About 1 kg of bio culture is required for one tonne of pressmud.

TEMPERATURE PROFILE

At the commencement of composting, the wastes are at ambient temperature and it gradually increases to 65°C during second weed, and it will be maintained upto 7th week of composting.

DURATION AND CURING OF COMPOST

The approximate duration for completion of the reactions will be about 8 weeks with additional two weeks for curing.

In the final stage of composting the temperature comes down to ambient level.  Carbon to nitrogen ratio is one of the deciding factor to findout the maturity of compost. The ratio of 20 (or) less than 20 is said to be a finished compost.

BENEFITS

The importance of recycling organic wastes is being increasingly recognised. Bioearth compost provides early nitorgen, enhances nutrient availability, increases water retention, provides colloidal nitrogen, phosphrous, potassium, calcium, sulphur and micro-nutrients.  It energizes the soil micro organisms.

Humus provides slow release of all the nutrients which is essential for crops. It absorbs the nutrient elements from leaching and thus nutrients are utilized efficiently.

It is non-pathogenic. High temperature decomposition process (60°C to 70°C) assures the elimination of disease causing organisms.

Compared to raw pressmud, the bioearth compost application has following advantages:

•  Very little quantity of bioearth compost is sufficent for crops and thus input and transport cost could be reduced.
•  Improved fertility value.
•  Provides early nitrogen.
•  Humus rich, very slow release of nutirents which is essential for crop growth.
•  Immediate usage of compost for crops without allowing extended period of decomposition.
•  Increases water holding capacity of soil.