Biodegradation of animal fats in a co-composting process with wastewater sludge
Ruggieri, Luz (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Biològica i Ambiental)
Artola Casacuberta, Adriana (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Biològica i Ambiental)
Gea Leiva, Teresa (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:	2008
Abstract:	A composting process was proposed as an effective technology for the biodegradation of fats in a proportion of 40-50%. Anaerobically digested sludge was used as co-substrate for animal fats to balance the C/N ratio of the composting mixture and to provide additional biodegradable organic matter and active biomass. Two different strategies were studied: static pile and dynamic turned pile. Air-filled porosity was initially adjusted to 40% for both experiments. It was observed that non-turned strategy increases the formation of material agglomerates which derived in a non-homogeneous fat distribution, the development of filamentous fungi, and a considerable increase in the amount of leachate generated. Turning the composting material resulted in the best results for composting fat-enriched wastes, preventing the formation of agglomerates. An effective biodegradation up to 92% of the fats was observed under these conditions. Besides, the addition of fats increased significantly the duration of the thermophilic period of the composting process.
Grants:	Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia CTM2006-00315
Rights:	Tots els drets reservats.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió sotmesa a revisió
Subject:	Animal fats ; Composting ; Porosity ; Turning ; Wastewater sludge
Published in:	International biodeterioration & biodegradation, Vol. 62, Issue 3, (Oct. 2008) , p. 297-303, ISSN 0964-8305

DOI: 10.1016/j.ibiod.2008.02.004

Pre-print 19 p, 857.2 KB

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Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Engineering > Composting Research Group (GICOM)
Articles > Research articles
Articles > Published articles