Full-scale co-composting of hair wastes from the leather manufacturing industry and sewage sludge
Barrena Gómez, Raquel (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Biològica i Ambiental)
Pagans i Miró, Estel·la (Fundació GIRO Centre Tecnològic)
Vázquez Lima, Felícitas (Fundació GIRO Centre Tecnològic)
Artola Casacuberta, Adriana (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Biològica i Ambiental)
Sanchez, Antoni (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Biològica i Ambiental)

Date:	2007
Abstract:	A full-scale cocomposting experiment using hair wastes from the leather manufacturing industry and sewage sludge as cosubstrates was carried out with the aim of producing compost that may be used as an organic amendment in agriculture. A 1:1 weight ratio of hair wastes and sewage sludge was used based on experiments at smaller-scale. The resulting mixture was then amended with pruning wastes acting as bulking agent in a 1:1 volumetric ratio (mixture:pruning wastes). The experiment was carried out using the windrow composting technology with a weekly turning frequency. Thermophilic range of temperature was quickly achieved and maintained for more than 8 weeks. This fact ensured the sanitation of the compost according to international requirements. Additionally, the quality of the product obtained expressed in stability terms was very high (Self-heating test grade: V; respiration index: 0. 83 mg O₂ per gram of organic matter per hour). The nitrogen content in the final product was also high (5. 6%, dry basis). In conclusion, the recycling of hair wastes produced in the leather manufacturing industry using the composting technology is feasible and a valuable organic fertilizer may be obtained.
Grants:	Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología REN2003-00823
Rights:	Tots els drets reservats.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió sotmesa a revisió
Subject:	Composting ; Fertilizer ; Leather industry
Published in:	Compost science and utilization, Vol. 15, issue 1 (2007) , p. 16-21, ISSN 1065-657X

DOI: 10.1080/1065657X.2007.10702305

Pre-print 24 p, 927.8 KB

The record appears in these collections:
Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Engineering > Composting Research Group (GICOM)
Articles > Research articles
Articles > Published articles